The Joke that Wasn't

For those of you who read our posts and weekly updates, you probably have noticed that some of the articles contain a bit of sarcastic humor. I chose to write in this fashion for a number of reasons. First, a lot of the topics involve complex legal issues which can be dry and boring and I want people to actually read the articles. Secondly, the laws have become so pathetically sad, that introducing humor into my writing is almost a coping mechanism that enables me to continue doing the work I do.

In our July 27th weekly update, we commented on a CBS News article about Pokemon Go and Sex Offenders. We wrote, “Undoubtedly some legislator will soon be talking about how sex offenders are trying to “exploit” a “loophole” and we need to pass legislation. All the while, registered citizens and their families will be watching in disbelief as something else we have nothing to do with and has never been an actual danger is pitched by the media and politicians as more ‘sex offender scare’. How long until Ron Book, flanked by Pikachu and Super Mario will be screaming at legislators about the need for “The Nintendo Act” to “protect the children”?”

Ha Ha Ha, right? Well not really. Fast forward a month and probationers in New York have an new restriction to contend with, as each has to sign a statement saying, “I understand that I shall not download, access, or otherwise engage in any internet-enabled gaming activities to include Pokémon Go” and face the risk of a probation violation and going back to prison.

How? Well just as we satirically presented less than a month ago, New York Senators Jeffrey D. Klein and Diane J. Savino got on a soap box and did just what we jokingly suggested and Governor Cuomo (not to look soft) fast tracked the law. No Joke!

As was reported in yesterday’s NY Times, the new restriction is not without it’s critics who are pointing out that the laws addresses a problem that doesn’t exist and the vague definition can encompass a number of technology that might be critical for work or innocent communication.

This month a lawsuit was filed on behalf of FAC members challenging the Internet Identifiers. In just over  a month, a new law is about to kick in that requires the registration of URLs. That means that if you are a registrant, you would need to go to the FDLE site and register “http://floridaactioncommittee.org/the-joke-that-wasnt” if you are reading this article right now, because that can be construed as inbound communication.

If you forget, you face 5 years in prison.

That’s not a joke!