Latest Techdirt Comments http://www.techdirt.com/ Easily digestible tech news.... Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/09382823173/chicago-school-system-foia-requests-stonewalling-obfuscation-paper-shredding.shtml#c209 Thu, 23 May 2013 12:05:15 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/09382823173/chicago-school-system-foia-requests-stonewalling-obfuscation-paper-shredding.shtml#c209 "Chicago Way", just like the Obama Admin, they do what ever they want and threaten/attack those that question their actions.

Scum bags!

If You're Going To Illegally Seize Citizens' Cell Phones, At Least Make Sure You're Grabbing The Right Ones
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130519/19190923142/if-youre-going-to-illegally-seize-citizens-cell-phones-least-make-sure-youre-grabbing-right-ones.shtml

IL Follows Suit: Employers Right To Ask For Social Media Passwords Codified Into Law
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130423/06214822806/il-follows-suit-employers-right-to-ask-social-media-passwords-codified-into-law.shtml

Illinois Bill To Outlaw Online Anonymity Dropped Because People Got Pissed Off, Not Because It's Unconstitutional
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130222/18003222079/illinois-bill-to-outlaw-online-anonymity-dropped-because-people-got-pissed-off-not-because-its-unconstitutional.shtml

DOJ And Dept. Of Education To Colleges: Start Restricting Free Speech On Campus Or Kiss Your Federal Funding Goodbye
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/18345423136/doj-dept-education-to-colleges-start-restricting-free-speech-campus-kiss-your-federal-funding-goodbye.shtml

Supreme Court Rejects Appeal Over Law Banning Recording The Police
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20121126/14083621150/supreme-court-rejects-appeal-over-law-banning-recording-police.shtml

Seventh Circuit Court: Chicago Cops Can't Use 'Annoyance' As Reason To Stifle Free Speech
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20120912/20384720366/seventh-circuit-court-chicago-cops-cant-use-annoyance-as-reason-to-stifle-free-speech.shtml]]> Quack Professor Releases Dumbest Violent Video Game Theory Ever http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/06034223155/quack-professor-releases-dumbest-violent-video-game-theory-ever.shtml#c592 Thu, 23 May 2013 12:02:05 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/06034223155/quack-professor-releases-dumbest-violent-video-game-theory-ever.shtml#c592 Look... http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/02455423183/prenda-lawyer-says-georgia-court-should-ignore-judge-wrights-order-because-look-hackers.shtml#c195 Thu, 23 May 2013 12:01:38 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/02455423183/prenda-lawyer-says-georgia-court-should-ignore-judge-wrights-order-because-look-hackers.shtml#c195 Re: Re: Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130519/18102623141/so-its-come-to-this-seven-high-school-students-arrested-throwing-water-balloons.shtml#c2084 Thu, 23 May 2013 12:01:08 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130519/18102623141/so-its-come-to-this-seven-high-school-students-arrested-throwing-water-balloons.shtml#c2084 Any sensible officer

If this were sensible I don't think any officers would have even been dispatched.

"I'm sorry, you said water balloons?"
"Right."
"Sir, this line is for emergencies only. Goodbye."]]> Re: Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/00174423181/kim-dotcom-threatens-to-sue-google-facebook-twitter-over-2-factor-authentication-patent-if-they-dont-help-him.shtml#c1711 Thu, 23 May 2013 12:00:26 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/00174423181/kim-dotcom-threatens-to-sue-google-facebook-twitter-over-2-factor-authentication-patent-if-they-dont-help-him.shtml#c1711 I assumed you would *appreciate* me not making a claim about the validity without knowing much about it.

That's a good point as I think you always jump on the invalidity bandwagon without being able to actually run through the analysis. I know that I couldn't do it, and I've never seen anything that makes me think you could either. The point though is that you didn't pull out the "invalid!" argument with this patent, and the reason why not seems obvious enough.

Care to comment on whether specific criminal infringement is alleged in the indictment? I'll refresh your memory:
On or about October 25,2008, in the Eastern District of Virginiaand elsewhere, the defendants, KIM DOTCOM, MEGAUPLOAD LIMITED, VESTOR LIMITED, FINN BATATO, JULIUS BENCKO, SVEN ECHTERNACH, MATHIAS ORTMANN, ANDRUS NOMM, and BRAM VAN DER KOLK did willfully, and for purposes of commercial advantage and private financial gain, infringe a copyright by distributing a workbeing prepared for commercial distribution in the United States, to wit, the copyrighted motion picture "Taken" (which would not be commercially distributed until on or about January 30,2009) by making it available on a computer network accessible to members of the public, when defendants knew, and should have known, that the work was intended for commercial distribution. (All in violation of Title 17, United States Code, Section 506(a)(1)(C) and Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2 & 2319(d)(2))
That's an allegation of specific criminal infringement. You claimed there were none. Can you admit that there is such an allegation or explain why this isn't one? Thanks. Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/business/documents/megaupload-indictment.pdf]]> Re: 35% Commission http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c522 Thu, 23 May 2013 12:00:18 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c522
I'm guessing, because they aren't printing anything, and won't be paying to edit the material, their overhead will be low enough, not to worry about the costs.]]> Chewbacca Defense http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/02455423183/prenda-lawyer-says-georgia-court-should-ignore-judge-wrights-order-because-look-hackers.shtml#c178 Thu, 23 May 2013 11:58:58 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/02455423183/prenda-lawyer-says-georgia-court-should-ignore-judge-wrights-order-because-look-hackers.shtml#c178 Re: This strategy makes sense http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/02455423183/prenda-lawyer-says-georgia-court-should-ignore-judge-wrights-order-because-look-hackers.shtml#c156 Thu, 23 May 2013 11:58:13 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/02455423183/prenda-lawyer-says-georgia-court-should-ignore-judge-wrights-order-because-look-hackers.shtml#c156
Ummm yeah, I agree. Extortion and Fraud make them criminals and they should be dealt with as such.]]> Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/18265123163/reporters-find-exposed-personal-data-via-google-threatened-with-cfaa-charges.shtml#c789 Thu, 23 May 2013 11:57:08 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/18265123163/reporters-find-exposed-personal-data-via-google-threatened-with-cfaa-charges.shtml#c789 Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/02455423183/prenda-lawyer-says-georgia-court-should-ignore-judge-wrights-order-because-look-hackers.shtml#c143 Thu, 23 May 2013 11:53:24 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/02455423183/prenda-lawyer-says-georgia-court-should-ignore-judge-wrights-order-because-look-hackers.shtml#c143 others don't have the same.]]> Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/01382223168/new-york-times-tells-startup-it-cant-even-mention-ny-times.shtml#c1143 Thu, 23 May 2013 11:50:59 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/01382223168/new-york-times-tells-startup-it-cant-even-mention-ny-times.shtml#c1143 How is this tool a way to infringe their copyrights at all? It's not like everyone is going to use it to create the exact same story over and over again.

I think the idea is that ScrollKit is encouraging people to take regular NYT news stories and use this tool on them to turn them into whatever cool web news thing that it does. I think that's stupid, but it sounds like that's the concern. If that's what they're worried about, they should buy the tool and do it themselves before someone else does.]]> Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/00174423181/kim-dotcom-threatens-to-sue-google-facebook-twitter-over-2-factor-authentication-patent-if-they-dont-help-him.shtml#c1707 Thu, 23 May 2013 11:49:35 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/00174423181/kim-dotcom-threatens-to-sue-google-facebook-twitter-over-2-factor-authentication-patent-if-they-dont-help-him.shtml#c1707 Here's coverage of Dotcom's patent trolling from Ars: http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/05/kim-dotcom-claims-he-invented-two-factor-authe ntication-but-he-wasnt-first/ and Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/may/23/kim-dotcom-authentication-patents and IPCopy: http://ipcopy.wordpress.com/2013/05/23/kim-dotcom-and-the-two-factor-authentication-patent-inventor- or-not/

Good stuff. I had looked around last night when I wrote this and looked for prior art, but having not found any, I didn't comment on the validity of the patent. I assumed you would *appreciate* me not making a claim about the validity without knowing much about it.

But, yes, based on those links, it looks like the patent is pretty questionable, which reinforces the point I made above (which you conveniently want to ignore) that I agree that this is abusive behavior.]]> Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/01382223168/new-york-times-tells-startup-it-cant-even-mention-ny-times.shtml#c1135 Thu, 23 May 2013 11:48:59 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/01382223168/new-york-times-tells-startup-it-cant-even-mention-ny-times.shtml#c1135 If that's the case, why can't I go to Flickr, download images, and use them in a TV advertisement?

You might be able to, if your ad has something to do with how the photos are used on Flickr. Maybe for a competing service or a Flickr-related browser plugin. It depends on how the fair use factors weigh out in that particular case. If you just need a photo of a dog for your dog food commercial, that is not going to fly.]]> Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/02455423183/prenda-lawyer-says-georgia-court-should-ignore-judge-wrights-order-because-look-hackers.shtml#c120 Thu, 23 May 2013 11:48:40 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/02455423183/prenda-lawyer-says-georgia-court-should-ignore-judge-wrights-order-because-look-hackers.shtml#c120 Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/02455423183/prenda-lawyer-says-georgia-court-should-ignore-judge-wrights-order-because-look-hackers.shtml#c100 Thu, 23 May 2013 11:48:29 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/02455423183/prenda-lawyer-says-georgia-court-should-ignore-judge-wrights-order-because-look-hackers.shtml#c100
My nym doesn't have "anonymous" in it.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c443 Thu, 23 May 2013 11:48:28 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c443 Re: Re: Re: Gov. speak http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/09382823173/chicago-school-system-foia-requests-stonewalling-obfuscation-paper-shredding.shtml#c199 Thu, 23 May 2013 11:48:10 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/09382823173/chicago-school-system-foia-requests-stonewalling-obfuscation-paper-shredding.shtml#c199 on!

Nixon was very plainly a bastard and a villainous President.

But at least he got things done. Better than the shower currently in the Houses.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/02455423183/prenda-lawyer-says-georgia-court-should-ignore-judge-wrights-order-because-look-hackers.shtml#c98 Thu, 23 May 2013 11:46:26 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/02455423183/prenda-lawyer-says-georgia-court-should-ignore-judge-wrights-order-because-look-hackers.shtml#c98
I'd be pretty spooked too if an evil pirate monkey with 1337 h@x0z 5ki11z started emailing me.]]> Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Yes, it's trolling and yes, it's ridiculous http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/00174423181/kim-dotcom-threatens-to-sue-google-facebook-twitter-over-2-factor-authentication-patent-if-they-dont-help-him.shtml#c1703 Thu, 23 May 2013 11:45:57 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/00174423181/kim-dotcom-threatens-to-sue-google-facebook-twitter-over-2-factor-authentication-patent-if-they-dont-help-him.shtml#c1703 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/00174423181/kim-dotcom-threatens-to-sue-google-facebook-twitter-over-2-factor-authentication-patent-if-they-dont-help-him.shtml#c1700 Thu, 23 May 2013 11:44:57 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/00174423181/kim-dotcom-threatens-to-sue-google-facebook-twitter-over-2-factor-authentication-patent-if-they-dont-help-him.shtml#c1700 http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/05/kim-dotcom-claims-he-invented-two-factor-authentication-but-he-wasnt-first/ and Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/may/23/kim-dotcom-authentication-patents and IPCopy: http://ipcopy.wordpress.com/2013/05/23/kim-dotcom-and-the-two-factor-authentication-patent-inventor-or-not/

All suggest that the patent may not be valid, and there's even info about the equivalent patent abroad being ruled invalid in 2011. Funny how Mike, who loves to jump on the invalidity train, instead focuses on how this might be bad for Dotcom's pending criminal trial. No mention of how terrible trolling is or questions of the patent's validity. But yeah, Mike, you're not giving him a free pass. You're treating him like you would any other troll. Obviously. LMAO!]]>