zacoz
9th May 2008, 18:09
http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/05/los-angeles-say.html
Local governments in California and the United States have long had the power to declare property a public nuisance when their owners allow their land to become denizens of drugs, gangs, prostitution and gambling.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, following New York's lead, is adding a new category: music and video piracy.
In an ordinance just adopted, the five-member board is declaring that piracy "substantially interferes with the interest of the public in the quality of life and community peace, lawful commerce in the county, property values, and is detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare of the county's citizens, its businesses and its visitors."
So if little Johnny pirates a few movies and sells them at school or to his friends, Mum & Dad might find their house declared a public nuisance and shuttered for up to a year. Isn't this getting a bit ridiculous?
Local governments in California and the United States have long had the power to declare property a public nuisance when their owners allow their land to become denizens of drugs, gangs, prostitution and gambling.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, following New York's lead, is adding a new category: music and video piracy.
In an ordinance just adopted, the five-member board is declaring that piracy "substantially interferes with the interest of the public in the quality of life and community peace, lawful commerce in the county, property values, and is detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare of the county's citizens, its businesses and its visitors."
So if little Johnny pirates a few movies and sells them at school or to his friends, Mum & Dad might find their house declared a public nuisance and shuttered for up to a year. Isn't this getting a bit ridiculous?