Washington – Firefox Web browser developer Mozilla has
refused a request from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, to remove an
add-on that helps users access websites whose previous domains were seized as a
result of claims of copyright infringement.
The non-profit firm’s general
counsel, Harvey Anderson, likened the add-on to a "mail forwarding
service," noting on his personal blog that the request was not
accompanied by a valid court order.
Anderson then posed a number of questions
related to the request to Homeland Security’s ICE unit.
"Have any courts
determined that the Mafiaafire add-on is unlawful or illegal in any way? If so,
on what basis? (Please provide any relevant rulings)," Anderson wrote.
"Is Mozilla legally obligated to disable the add-on or is this request
based on other reasons? If other reasons, can you please specify," he
continued.
PaidContent noted that the creator of Mediaafire cited the domain
seizures as impetus for creating the add-on, which to date has been downloaded
more than 6,400 times.
Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/3hbsfa6
(Harvey Anderson blog)
http://tinyurl.com/42be4g7
(PaidContent)
