In 1993, Steve Jackson Games vs. The Secret Service finally came to trial. Steve Jackson Games was represented by the Austin firm of George, Donaldson & Ford. The lead counsel was Pete Kennedy. Steve Jackson Games won two out of the three counts. Steve Jackson Games was awarded US$50,000 in damages and US$250,000 in attorney’s fees. The third count dealing with interception of e-mail was turned down in October 1994 by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. The judge also reprimanded the Secret Service, calling their warrant preparation “sloppy”, suggesting that they needed “better education” regarding relevant statutes, and finding that they had no basis to suspect Steve Jackson Games of any wrongdoing.
Operation Sundevil, which spanned two years, has a tarnished image due to lack of successful prosecutions and questionable procedures.[2] The overshadowing rumors surrounding the confiscation of the GURPS Cyberpunk sourcebook added embarrassment for the government, fueled paranoia among the hacker community, and created a lasting legend in hacker culture.[citation needed] To this day, the GURPS Cyberpunk book lists “Unsolicited Comments: The United States Secret Service” on its credits page.[3]
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