Date: Sat, 25 Jul, 1991 14:15:31 PDT From: Jim Thomas Subject: File 5--CuD Comment on Bellcore Letter to 2600 Bellcore, the company-owned research arm of the various Bell systems, is well-staffed, possesses considerable resources, and extends throughout the country. 2600 magazine is a small publication run on a shoestring with few resources. The Bell system, as the pursuit of Craig Neidorf demonstrated, seems quite willing to attack the "little guy," even if the little guy has not demonstrably violated a law. Big guys who pick on little guys are generally called "bullies." Bellcore does not allege that 2600 received the information it published illegally or that any other criminal offense is involved. Bellcore's letter to 2600 cites the publication of the material, not the manner in which it was obtained, as objectionable. Although called a "hacker journal," 2600 has been active as a gadfly in exposing security flaws in computer and related technology. Just as other media have claimed "the public's right to know" in using confidential documents as the basis of revelations, 2600 also revealed, arguably for the public good, a point of vulnerability in the Bell system. This seems to be what galls Bellcore, and it is threatening the full force of its resources against a small publication that perhaps it presumes is unwilling to resist bullying tactics. As Emmanuel Goldstein, the editor of 2600, indicates in his response to Bellcore, they are mistaken. One can appreciate the legitimate concerns of both parties. It becomes more difficult to appreciate the style of Bellcore in addressing this issue. When Playboy felt that Event Horizons had exceeded appropriate limits in using Playboy material, it attempted to resolve the matter amicably. Bellcore, by contrast, chose to begin with threats backed up by the full force of its legal department. Because of its massive resources, Bellcore may feel no need to attempt conciliatory dialogue to attempt to resolve a problem. If you have a hammer, so their logic seems to run, why waste it? Does Bellcore have a strong case? If the facts alleged in their letter are correct, not a strong one according to some specialists in copyright law. Does Bellcore have a knack for public relations? It seems not. Just one more case of Goliath tromping on those ill-equipped to defend themselves. And, the chilling effect of their letter threatens to trample on a free press as well. Downloaded From P-80 International Information Systems 304-744-2253