Banyan Attack on Web

You are Visitor # Here Since 05/07/96!

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Glen L. Roberts (814) 678-8801

Underpinnings of Web Attacked

"Banyan Revival Bets Heavily on the Web" reads a headline in the 3/96 issue of Web Week. Banyan Systems International is apparently looking for corporate success through the Internet and it's world wide web. Now, however, they appear to be attacking the entire structure of the web.

The fundamental key to the brilliant success of the world wide web is hypertext linking. These allow every document on the web to link to (reference) any other document on the web. Hence, the name: "world wide web." Every page on the web is an individualistic creation of that web master, but includes links to other webs, making a never seen before collage of expression. Each piece adds to the rest.

"In my continuing presentations about privacy, I found the web to be an excellent medium, rather than abstractly talking about risks, I can point people directly to resources and they can make their own decisions," said Glen L. Roberts, host of Full Disclosure Live. He says that technology is forging ahead and our only assurance that it is used for good is a true understanding of it. "Hands on is the best way."

One of his most recent web pages has come under attack by Banyan Systems International. While betting on the web for a corporate revivial, they have asked Roberts' information service provider (ISP) to terminate all access to Banyan's web page! Banyan never contacted Roberts about his web page, but rather placed a number of demands on his ISP, which if implemented would open the door for all hypertext links to be prohibited. "They are asking for the death of the web," said Roberts. "The beauty of the web is that I can place my web page on any ISP or even multiple ISPs. Freedom of expression is the king of the web, not the whim of corporate America."

Corporate attacks on his political expression are not new to Roberts. Harris Corporation accused him of criminal and civil infractions for writing about their cellular phone interception equipment.

The web page in question can be accessed at:

http://pages.ripco.com:8080/~glr/stalk.html

Banyan's letter to his ISP follows.

This letter follows my attempt to contact you by telephone today. Banyan Systems Incorporated has learned that one or more parties operating on your system (http://pages.ripco.com:8080/~glr/stalk.html) are misappropriating Banyan's on-line "whitepages" directory, Switchboard(tm). Furthermore, these parties expressly encourage and instruct users of your system to access Switchboard in order to engage in "stalking" -- privacy -- spying -- snooping", some of which activities are subject to federal, and state criminal laws, and all of which entail potential liability for damages to one or more personal privacy rights. Attached for your information are photocopies of computer screens containing the offending text.

We intend vigorously to protect our legal rights and the integrity of our products and services, as well as to insure strict performance of your obligations in this matter.

While we continue to pursue our own investigation into these activities and consult with law enforcement agencies as necessary, we require you to take the following measures:

1. immediately terminate all access to Switchboard via your system by any programmatic means;

2. immediately stop further misappropriation of Switchboard in any form and its misuse for criminal purposes;

3. immediately implement effective procedures to preclude any linkage whatsoever to Switchboard in the future without our express written consent; and

4. promptly and without delay confirm to me in writing that you have undertaken these measures.

You may contact me at (508)898-1000, ext. 1662.

Sincerely,

Richard L. Bugley Vice President and General Counsel RLB/smc Enclosure

Banyan Systems Inc., 120 Flanders Road, P.O. Box 5013, Westboro, MA 01581-5013 Tel 508-898-1000 Fax 508-898-1755