Sequoia Threatens Over Voting Machine Evaluation

enodo writes "Voting machine manufacturer Sequoia has sent well-known Princeton professor Ed Felten and his colleague Andrew Appel a letter threatening to sue if New Jersey sends them a machine to evaluate. It's not clear from the letter Sequoia sent whether they intend to sue the professors or the state — presumably that ambiguity was deliberate on Sequoia's part. Put another clipping in your scrapbook of cases of companies invoking 'intellectual property rights' for bogus reasons." Sequoia seems to be claiming that no one can make a "report" regarding their "software" without their permission.

Easy solution.

[Anonymous Coward]

Send a letter back saying no one can sue you without your permission. Problem solved!

"Really"?

[truthsearch]

Sequoia seems to be claiming that no one can make a "report" regarding their "software" without their permission.

I "beg" to "differ".

In other news...

[Bullfish]

Four mob families in conjunction with a number of street gangs is suing the US Department of Justice for restriction of trade.

Re:I for one...

[sjames]

...don't think that Sequoias should be voting in the first place.

I'm not so sure. Perhaps they would have known enough to tell Bush to try again when he grows up. I'm pretty sure they would have given Ficus a landslide victory.

Re:Speechless.

[gnick]

the majority of the American public will be speechless for another and far more unfortunate reason

So - Let's let them be heard. Let's put the decision on whether or not to use the machines to a vote. It can be a trial run for Sequoia's machines. If Sequoia tells us that we voted in favor of using their machines, we know they're lying and ditch 'em.

Nice to see they are so confident...

[Kazoo the Clown]

in the quality of their product...

Here is Sequoia's response from their website...

[HotNeedleOfInquiry]

3/18/2008
Sequoia Voting Systems supports third party reviews and testing of its election equipment

In response to some recent media reports, Sequoia is has issued a statement found at . Through this statement, we hope to educate individuals on the third party review mechanisms already in place in the election industry as well as our company's business practices regarding third party reviews and testing of its election equipment.

An independent review of a voting system is a complex and interdisciplinary process involving a broad knowledge of election law, public administration and technical matters. Many independent reviews have been successfully conducted within the framework of Sequoia's license rights pursuant to appropriate and mutually agreeable arrangements between Sequoia and governmental agencies charged by law with the authority to conduct such reviews. Sequoia welcomes all such responsibly executed review activities.

Please see the Election Technology Council's "Guidelines for States conducting Top-to-Bottom Reviews" found on the organization's website at for additional information.

- Michelle Shafer, VP of Communications