------------------------------

Date: 10 Mar 1994 10:46:04 -0500
From: mnemonic@eff.org (Mike Godwin)
Subject: File 9--"Porn Press Release" from EFF is a Hoax

At EFF, we have been receiving a number of queries about an alleged EFF
"press release" or "statement" announcing the following:

"Senator Jess Helms (R-NC) requested that the FBI become more involved in
the fight to stop adult images from being distributed on electronic
bulletin boards and the Internet."

Typically, the "press release" has included the following:

: "The EFF has issued a warning to sysops that the following files
: which depict any of the following acts are illegal in all 50
: states, and can subject the sysop to prosecution regardless of
: whether the sysop knows about the files or not.
:
: "--Depiction of actual sex acts in progress"
:
: "--Depiction of an erect penis"

*There is no such press release.*

*The press release is a hoax.*

Several people seem to have been fooled by the false press release,
including the new publication SYSOP NEWS, which reprinted it uncritically
in its first issue.

I urge you to spread this announcement to every BBS of which you a member.

Thank you for helping us stop the unethical people who spread this
misinformation.

--Mike

Mike Godwin, (202) 347-5400 |"And walk among long dappled grass,
mnemonic@eff.org            | And pluck till time and times are done
Electronic Frontier         | The silver apples of the moon,
Foundation                  | The golden apples of the sun."

------------------------------

**************************************************************************
         *****   End of Computer Underground Digest #6.23  *****
**************************************************************************