- Joined
- Aug 20, 2006
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- 13,000
Last month, it was reported that a guy in Oregon was fined $500 by the state for writing “I am an engineer” in an email to the government. After fighting back with a lawsuit, a federal district court has ruled that he may describe himself publicly and privately using the word “engineer” again...or until the litigation is complete, at least. Those who support the fine believe it is justified, as the title implies a specific level of expertise, and for public safety reasons, such titles can only be conferred by state engineering boards.
...the Oregon engineering board asked Järlström to stop calling himself an engineer, and in January fined him $500 for the crime of "practicing engineering without being registered." Last month, Järlström sued the engineering board for violating his First Amendment rights, and Tuesday a federal judge gave Järlström the temporary right to call himself an engineer, pending the results of his case. Järlström's attorneys say this is a promising sign and a "critical first step in protecting Oregonians' First Amendment rights." The story set off something of a firestorm online as First Amendment activists and software engineers argued with civil and electrical engineers about so-called "protected classes" of jobs.
...the Oregon engineering board asked Järlström to stop calling himself an engineer, and in January fined him $500 for the crime of "practicing engineering without being registered." Last month, Järlström sued the engineering board for violating his First Amendment rights, and Tuesday a federal judge gave Järlström the temporary right to call himself an engineer, pending the results of his case. Järlström's attorneys say this is a promising sign and a "critical first step in protecting Oregonians' First Amendment rights." The story set off something of a firestorm online as First Amendment activists and software engineers argued with civil and electrical engineers about so-called "protected classes" of jobs.