LAST week’s “Local View” dealt with the problems of taking electronic devices through national borders. Arab News received a flurry of e-mails from readers worried about the difficulties that they might encounter while clearing Customs, especially if they were in possession of pirated software and content. My general comment to everyone is, “Welcome to the real world. Digital piracy is against the law internationally. Illegal downloading is criminal behavior. Just because ‘everyone is doing it’ doesn’t make it right.”
Reader Paolo Espanola has decided to avoid risks. He writes: “Aug. 16, I will be beginning college in Minnesota. I have deleted any files that could raise questions about copyright infringement and my laptop doesn’t contain anything that should cause problems. Do you have any advice on how to avoid confiscation at US Customs? Should I carry my laptop as a hand-carry item or should I check it in with my luggage? Should I attach a note with my password written on it if I decide to check it in?”
Paolo, once you clear US Immigration, all your baggage, both checked and hand carry, will go through US Customs. It is not advisable to put a notebook in checked baggage as it might be damaged by rough handling or stolen. Never attach a note with your password to your computer. There is nothing you can do to prevent a US Customs’ Agent from holding your electronics for detailed inspection and if a device contains illegal software or content it may be confiscated at the discretion of the agent.
Reader Sajjan Khan is horrified at the thought of deleting all his illegal content. He writes: “I am planning to go to the UK for education. For a long time, I have been gathering all my digital files in various types of storage devices. I have pirated software, music, wallpapers and pictures of celebrities. Only my personal family photos aren’t pirated. You advised everyone to leave everything behind but I can’t do that. These files are my treasures. I don’t want to open my luggage at Customs and have an exhibition of my personal things. I might have a heart attack if that really happens.”
Sajjan, you need a reality check. There is always the possibility that an officer at Customs or airport security will tell you to open your suitcases. So don’t pack anything nasty. My best advice to you is to transfer all your illegal digital booty to online storage. It will take you about two weeks of serious effort and some major connection abuse to do that. Those files still won’t be legal, but they won’t cause you any grief at the airport either. I use Adrive.com which offers 50GB of free storage or check out 80 other options through http://mashable.com/2007/07/28/online-storage/.