![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
symbioidljPosner, one of the Judges who ruled in the case I referred to earlier, has his own blog and also teaches law at uchicago! So, I wrote to him via his e-mail address at the uni. Here's the text. I'm merely hoping he can provide some insight on where to go. There's even a fanblog for the guy! He's gotta be not too bad if he's got a whole blog dedicated to his rulings from people who like his sense of humor, apparently...
---
Hello Judge Posner,
I am writing to you due to concerns I have regarding actions currently being implemented by Assessment Technologies that I believe violate your ruling in the case of Assessment Technologies vs WireData.
I realize I should contact a lawyer if I wish to pursue this, but I have no idea who or where or how. Currently, I can say that I tried to contact both the EFF and Lawrence Lessig, as I believe they have a vested interest in this case. Neither have replied. I have not yet contacted the ACLU, though I think that may be a good place to start.
Let me state that 1) Assessment Technologies has sent out a newsletter regarding "permission" for giving out the database content to "unlicensed users" of their software. 2) I have found out today that they are working on implementing a "license code" system into their software in order to prevent access to their database. Lisa Pelkey (one of the owners, as far as I'm aware) of the company has explicitly stated to me that they are working on implementing this (my understanding is that it is not fully implemented, but the front-end/interface to entering this code for a license has been implemented, which is why I asked about it... they call it the "database license" vs the normal "workstation license" which is what we use to license the individual computer for the software program.) Lisa stated, that the reasons they are implementing this is that some people are getting the data "in violation of our license"... However, it's my understanding that you laid the smack down and let the company know that the public right to now supersedes such licensing restrictions.
I tell you this because I believe this is an important issues (access to public records, as enshrined in the State Constitution of Wisconsin). I am asking you if you have any suggestions as to where to go? Mostly, I am wondering if there are good lawyers in Wisconsin (specifically the Madison area) who would be able to discuss this issue with me. I am just a data entry worker, and do not have much finances, nor do I wish to drag my employer into the situation. I am merely a concerned citizen who wishes to do the right thing.
Please, any advice is greatly appreciated.
I thank you for your time...
Regards,
Dave Elliot
---
Hello Judge Posner,
I am writing to you due to concerns I have regarding actions currently being implemented by Assessment Technologies that I believe violate your ruling in the case of Assessment Technologies vs WireData.
I realize I should contact a lawyer if I wish to pursue this, but I have no idea who or where or how. Currently, I can say that I tried to contact both the EFF and Lawrence Lessig, as I believe they have a vested interest in this case. Neither have replied. I have not yet contacted the ACLU, though I think that may be a good place to start.
Let me state that 1) Assessment Technologies has sent out a newsletter regarding "permission" for giving out the database content to "unlicensed users" of their software. 2) I have found out today that they are working on implementing a "license code" system into their software in order to prevent access to their database. Lisa Pelkey (one of the owners, as far as I'm aware) of the company has explicitly stated to me that they are working on implementing this (my understanding is that it is not fully implemented, but the front-end/interface to entering this code for a license has been implemented, which is why I asked about it... they call it the "database license" vs the normal "workstation license" which is what we use to license the individual computer for the software program.) Lisa stated, that the reasons they are implementing this is that some people are getting the data "in violation of our license"... However, it's my understanding that you laid the smack down and let the company know that the public right to now supersedes such licensing restrictions.
I tell you this because I believe this is an important issues (access to public records, as enshrined in the State Constitution of Wisconsin). I am asking you if you have any suggestions as to where to go? Mostly, I am wondering if there are good lawyers in Wisconsin (specifically the Madison area) who would be able to discuss this issue with me. I am just a data entry worker, and do not have much finances, nor do I wish to drag my employer into the situation. I am merely a concerned citizen who wishes to do the right thing.
Please, any advice is greatly appreciated.
I thank you for your time...
Regards,
Dave Elliot
