[42129] in Cypherpunks
Hacking commercial systems.
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (hallam@w3.org)
Tue Oct 24 10:20:36 1995
To: cypherpunks@toad.com
Date: Tue, 24 Oct 95 10:17:35 -0400
From: hallam@w3.org
Hi,
A number of people have been proposing hacks on commercial payment
systems. Could I point out that this is not necessarily a good idea? One vendor
I spoke to has a contract clause with sublicensees which requires a legal
response in such situations. His opinion was that attempting such a crack on a
"live" system consitituted conspiracy to commit fraud and organisation of the
same could involve RICO penalties.
It would seem prudent to approach such projects with a little caution.
If a request were made for a sample of material to work on most companies would
oblige and a refusal would provide protection against legal tactics. Most
sensible companies would see the advantage of offering a reward.
Phill
