Artist Stopped at US Border over "Copyright Infringement" Knitting Pattern

by Jordan Yerman | October 8, 2008 at 06:28 am

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No matter how many powers the US gives its border-control agents, the weak link is the human. This will not change, as the new powers clearly did not come with any new training. And, yes, these are the people who can sieze your laptop with no clear cause.

Keene Valley resident Jerilea Zempel was detained at the U.S. border this summer because she had a drawing of a sport-utility vehicle in her sketchbook.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers told Zempel they suspected her of copyright infringement.

She was released after more than an hour in custody at the Houlton, Maine, port of entry from New Brunswick, Canada.

Her release came only after she persuaded border guards she was an artist doing a project that involved a crocheted SUV as a statement against America's dependence on oil and love for big vehicles.

This is what happens when people are in charge of enforcing laws they don't understand.

(found via boingboing)

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