U.S. Customs Shuts Down 839 Websites . . . Why Customs?
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is in charge of immigration. That makes sense.
What does not make sense is the fact that the outfit is systematically shutting down websites run by Americans. Over the last two years, it has shut down 839 of them.
These sites have been selling things. Weird things. Things like jewelry, baby carriers, and software. All of this has looked very suspicious to senior officials in the ICE. Very suspicious. “Shut ‘em down!”
Why? According to a press release issued by the ICE, these sites ”closely mimicked legitimate websites selling authentic merchandise and duped consumers into unknowingly buying counterfeit goods.”
So, why didn’t the Federal Trade Commission shut down these sites? Why is this a customs issue?
It turns out that the ICE is in charge of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center.
Why? Because DHS is slowly asserting authority over more and more of American life.
Read More: http://teapartyeconomist.com/2012/07/16/u-s-custom...
- Nimitz 2012/07/16 21:09:41 (edited)
+1We are parties to several treaties relating to the DMCA or its equivalent in other countries. The customs department is thus the enforcement arm of corporate copyright holders.reply - HarleyCharley 2012/07/16 20:48:49+1big brother...reply
