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Legal Issues

by Mike Masnick

Mon, Mar 5th 2007 11:36am





EFF Sues Electric Slide Creator Over DMCA Threat

from the take-that dept

Last month, we wrote about the bizarre story of a guy who claims he's the creator of the annoying line dance, The Electric Slide (a claim that is apparently very much in dispute) sending DMCA takedown notices to YouTube for people putting up videos of people doing the dance. Part of his complaint is that he doesn't get credit -- but the bigger complaint seems to be that people are doing the dance wrong, and still calling it The Electric Slide. Thankfully, the EFF has decided that this is a case too ridiculous to ignore. The group has stepped in and filed a lawsuit against the guy seeking protection for the person who uploaded the original video. The whole story just sounds so bizarre, it wouldn't be surprising to find out in the end that it's really all part of some elaborate PR stunt.

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  1.  
    identicon
    Jeff Foxworthy, Mar 5th, 2007 @ 12:00pm

    If you file a DMCA takedown notice for a line dance, you may be a redneck...

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  2.  
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    CoJeff, Mar 5th, 2007 @ 12:17pm

    Re: redneck

    HAha. I would agree with that.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  3.  
    identicon
    Iron Chef, Mar 5th, 2007 @ 12:23pm

    May prove to create interesting case law

    This could be interesting case law which may challenge copyright and patentability of ideas down the road...

    Think about it- If you own an idea doesn't mean you own it when someone else does it... Or do you.?

    With either side of the fence your on, this has the ability to really explode.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  4.  
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    Vincent Clement, Mar 5th, 2007 @ 12:48pm

    Can't outlaw stupidity, unfortunately

    Exactly how is the DMCA helping innovation and making the US more competitive in the world market?

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  5.  
    identicon
    Casper, Mar 5th, 2007 @ 12:58pm

    The DMCA is a joke, has been since it's spawning. This guy just wanted in on the joke, is that so wrong?

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  6.  
    identicon
    Mr. MacPhisto, Mar 5th, 2007 @ 1:03pm

    I just patened the recepie for a Cesar Salad and posted it online.

    I plan on sending cease-and-decist letters to restaraunts across the country next week.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  7.  
    identicon
    James, Mar 5th, 2007 @ 1:07pm

    Maybe..

    ..this will convince ppl to stop playing this rediculous song at parties. AWFUL.. if I have to hear it ONE MORE time from song guy who "thinks he's a dj".

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  8.  
    identicon
    gspot2016, Mar 5th, 2007 @ 1:09pm

    The electric slide is a horrible dance and it should be outlawed. People that do the dance are probably some lower form of life.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  9.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Mar 5th, 2007 @ 1:35pm

    Re:

    People that do the dance are probably some lower form of life

    In that, they share something in common with forum-trolls.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  10.  
    identicon
    GoblinJuice, Mar 5th, 2007 @ 2:25pm

    Loser. Punk.

    This guy is such a loooser. He even looks like a loooser. Not laughing and smiling anymore, punk.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  11.  
    identicon
    Sanguine Dream, Mar 5th, 2007 @ 3:43pm

    What I want to know...

    is who really invented that dance and who performed the song?

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  12.  
    identicon
    Just Some Guy, Mar 5th, 2007 @ 3:57pm

    Unknown the original choreographer.
    Performer is Marcia Griffith. I too hate the damn thing after being a wedding DJ for 2 years!

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  13.  
    identicon
    TNP, Mar 5th, 2007 @ 7:13pm

    DIADI

    Die In A Disco Inferno

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  14.  
    identicon
    rasta, Mar 5th, 2007 @ 8:00pm

    Writer of Electric Slide

    Bunny Wailer (Neville Livingston) wrote the song.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  15.  
    identicon
    gspot2016, Mar 6th, 2007 @ 9:23am

    Re: Re: forum trolls

    I agree!!

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  16.  
    identicon
    Celes, Mar 6th, 2007 @ 10:43am

    Re: Maybe..

    I don't mind it being played as long as it's on land. Ever been on a boat when the Electric Slide comes on? Now THAT'S something you just don't do. Even twenty or so above-average-sized people can make the crew really worried...

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  17.  
    identicon
    AL Keylime, Mar 6th, 2007 @ 5:43pm

    Re: Loser. Punk.

    So you're saying he's some guy that goes around untying people's shoelaces and such?

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  18.  
    identicon
    IronManCurtis, Mar 9th, 2007 @ 7:20am

    Re:

    ummmm..... shouldn't that be a .... Caesar-and-desist?


    -IronMan

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]


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