| Then and now, EFF defends traditional liberties in high-tech world
EDITOR'S NOTE _ This is one in an occasional series spotlighting the Internet personalities and phenomena. By ANICK JESDANUN AP Internet Writer SAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ In March 1990, when few people had even heard of the Internet, U.S. Secret Service agents raided the Texas offices of a small board-game maker, seizing computer equipment and reading customers' e-mail stored on one machine. A group of online pioneers already worried about how the nation's laws were being applied to new technologies became even more fearful and decided to intervene. And thus the Electronic Frontier Foundation was born _ 16 years ago this Monday _ taking on the Secret Service as its first case, one the EFF ultimately won when a judge agreed that the government had no right to read the e-mails or keep the equipment.
Spotlight On ... Joe Encina
When Joe Encina returned to San Antonio after serving in the Vietnam War, he got a temporary job with the city as part of an emergency employment program for veterans. He cut weeds for the Public Works Department. Nearly 35 years later, at the age of 55, Encina is calling it quits, retiring from the city after climbing the career ladder to supervisor in the Code Compliance Department. "I like making a difference in the community," Encina said. "And that's basically our job in Code Compliance. San Antonio is a beautiful city, and we've got to keep it pretty." In addition to his job with Public Works, he also worked for the San Antonio Police Department in vehicle storage and finally for Code Compliance, where he has been a supervisor for 25 years.
PODS wins infringement lawsuit
PODS' success is spawning imitators. But at least one will have to redesign its business model after losing a lawsuit in federal court. The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (Tampa division) has ruled that defendant Porta Stor Inc., infringed on PODS' patent on its proprietary Podzilla lift system, a release said. The hydraulic systems in the lift allow PODS to maintain container leverage thus avoiding shift in contents. .
Self storage is a $145B business
Ten years ago the self-storage business was relatively quiet. A few stark warehouses could be seen from major highways and some investors would try their luck locating near busy streets. The businesses were simple. Greet the customers at the counter and give them a padlock. But the industry has gone from no-frills to high-tech and is growing in areas of San Antonio that are considered residential hot spots. Self-storage experts say residential growth is the biggest factor driving the industry locally, as well as people finding new uses for storage, such as keeping medical records, freeing up office space for small businesses or stashing away wine to let it age. The rise of these facilities has led to a $145 billion industry, with 45,812 facilities nationwide and counting.
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