[WikiEN-l] Re: bombmaking information

Thu Aug 5 19:40:02 UTC 2004

Jimmy (Jimbo) Wales wrote:

>Mr. Austin pled guilty rather than fighting it, which may or may not
>have been a sensible thing to do under the circumstances.  (I tend to
>think that it was not a sensible thing to do, but I'm not in a
>position to judge.)
>
I agree.  Guilt or innocence often depends more on the ability to 
sustain a long and difficult ordeal in the courts.  When serious 
constitutional issues are involved the matter will need to go well 
beyond the local courts.

>In any event, such a law would clearly not apply to Wikipedia, because
>our intent would never be that people commit crimes of violence.  At
>the same time, of course, I would find it extremely unpleasant to be
>faced with a bogus prosecution for such a thing.  I have a little girl
>at home, and I don't intend _at this point in my life_ to sit in
>Federal prison to make a point about freedom of speech.  (I very much
>respect people who would, though, if their life circumstances are
>appropriate.)
>
It all comes down to our choice of issues.  Instructions for making 
bombs are never more than marginal to the wider purpose of Wikipedia.  
The copyright issues are a lot more relevant, and criminal law is not 
much of an issue.  Prison time for infringement of copyrights is 
extremely unlikely unless you get into the area of ignoring court orders.

Ec