http://www.techdirt.com/ Easily digestible tech news.... http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c177 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:43:30 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c177 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c167 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:42:33 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c167 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c688 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:37:45 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c688 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c158 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:37:18 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c158 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c674 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:35:54 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c674
They assume that the blind are not their market. Following this, the assumption is that allowing the blind an exemption to copyright is thus, a bad thing.

Am I misreading that?]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c142 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:34:08 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c142
I'd agree with you on this one except for your constant defense of KNOWN criminals like infringer-millionaire Dotcom of Mega; this is just a minor squawk on your anti-copyright agenda.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c140 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:33:35 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c140 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c116 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:33:11 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c116
I'd agree with you on this one except for your constant defense of KNOWN criminals like infringer-millionaire Dotcom of Mega; this is just a minor squawk on your anti-copyright agenda.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c110 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:33:04 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c110 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c104 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:32:50 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c104
I'd agree with you on this one except for your constant defense of KNOWN criminals like infringer-millionaire Dotcom of Mega; this is just a minor squawk on your anti-copyright agenda.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c87 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:31:52 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c87
I'd agree with you on this one except for your constant defense of KNOWN criminals like infringer-millionaire Dotcom of Mega; this is just a minor squawk on your anti-copyright agenda.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c651 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:28:33 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c651 He just pulls out that excuse when anyone challenges him to state a concrete position on copyright policy.

Actually, he pulls out that excuse when you've tried to badger him into answering an oversimplified, black-or-white, are-you-for-it-or-against-it question.

His response has never been that he has no opinion. It's that he doesn't have the sort of binary opinion you demand.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c76 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:19:42 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c76 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c632 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:17:05 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c632
Well yeah, I mean if I went to the West Boro Baptist church blog and made constant remarks about their Pasture instead of debating their perceptions of reality, I would expect the same kind of treatment.

You're a big boy Joe, you should know that debating on a website that stands on the other side of the spectrum compared to your viewpoint is going to be difficult. Otherwise, why go through the trouble?

"Address the merits of my post if you would: Do you agree that Mike has not even begun to back up his assertion that this is a "ridiculous letter with little basis in fact"? "

Yes, but then there's little information to go on to say how this will affect international copyright in the long run. You can make the assumption it will damage the finances of all the companies Business Europe represents, or you can assume it will barely affect them.

" Do you agree that Mike hasn't shown us the text of the proposal and explained why this response is bullshit?"

He hasn't taken the time to dissect it yet, yes, but the focus of this article isn't that specific document, it's the letter that Business Europe sent out concerning the draft treaty.

"Do you agree that Mike's purpose in writing this article was not to actually advance the debate in a positive way but was instead solely for the purpose of discrediting these people with his usual "they hate the blind!" trope?"

Mike may interpret that these companies hate blind people, but that's absolutely an opinion, which makes this article an "opinion piece." If you are unable to distinguish opinion from reality, then I don't know what I can do for you.

"I feel like I added to the discussion by pointing out how Mike added nothing."

You also made a bunch of accusations and insults...I don't see how that is at all conducive to any kind of discussion. If you really wanted to add to things, you could read the draft treaty here - https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&ved=0CGEQFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wipo.int%2Fedocs%2Fmdocs%2Fcopyright%2Fen%2Fsccr_25%2Fsccr_25_2_rev.doc&ei=8FWaUeqlKKrJygGh9YDADg&usg=AFQjCNFH5LfVxJf7y4tRkDYCi89jt_EdnQ&sig2=oIkruGn4R5ZQQ1eUBHswuA&bvm=bv.46751780,d.aWc - and see if it actually woudl cause a disruption in the international copyright structure.

"I'm not familiar enough with the proposals to add much of value on the merits, but apparently neither is Mike. That doesn't stop him from writing this crap though. Why aren't you grilling him if you agree with me in part?"

I don't grill Mike because his opinions don't matter that much to me (I like his ideas though). I come to Techdirt for the information (I mentioned before I usually click the links to see for myself what they say).]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c607 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:16:51 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c607 Let's see the proposal. Let's see the exact text they are taking issue with. Let's discuss it on the merits.

Never thought I'd see you say that. It's pretty much a staple complaint on Techdirt that the public never gets to see the text of the various treaties and international agreements.

So Joe, here's a question. Are you agreeing with Techdirt and most of its readers and commenters that these agreements should be open and transparent to the public?]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130516/18383623114/your-word-against-ours-how-fbis-no-electronic-recording-policy-rigs-game-destroys-its-credibility.shtml#c229 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:15:42 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130516/18383623114/your-word-against-ours-how-fbis-no-electronic-recording-policy-rigs-game-destroys-its-credibility.shtml#c229 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c63 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:14:51 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c63
The US owned .com domain has aided and abetted MUCH worse and much more numerable crimes! Including

-Hosting child porn
-Hosting illegal files for download like music and videos
-Hosting porn in general
-Hosting websites that tell people how to do dangerous things, such as build an atomic bomb, cover your tracks after you commit a serious crime like murder

Imagine all the economic damage if .com starts arbitrarily dumping large numbers of websites to avoid legal liability from all that stuff!]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130516/18383623114/your-word-against-ours-how-fbis-no-electronic-recording-policy-rigs-game-destroys-its-credibility.shtml#c214 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:14:43 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130516/18383623114/your-word-against-ours-how-fbis-no-electronic-recording-policy-rigs-game-destroys-its-credibility.shtml#c214 http://www.techdirt.com/blog/wireless/articles/20130516/10513523106/att-continues-to-mock-concept-net-neutrality-this-time-with-google-hangouts-block.shtml#c445 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:13:01 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/blog/wireless/articles/20130516/10513523106/att-continues-to-mock-concept-net-neutrality-this-time-with-google-hangouts-block.shtml#c445 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130511/03220823047/mpaa-freaks-out-insists-that-having-to-consider-fair-use-before-filing-dmca-takedown-would-be-crazy.shtml#c1257 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:12:13 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130511/03220823047/mpaa-freaks-out-insists-that-having-to-consider-fair-use-before-filing-dmca-takedown-would-be-crazy.shtml#c1257