Latest Techdirt Comments http://www.techdirt.com/ Easily digestible tech news.... Re: Read for comprehension! 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#c584 Thu, 23 May 2013 07:12:22 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#c584 The reason for tech companies to support Kim Dotcom is because the legal theory behind the prosecution would end up gutting DMCA protection of entities running web sites with cusomter-provided content. The tech companies should do this in spite of Kim Dotcom's repulsive personality and flagrant behavior.

That may be true. But they're not being asked. They're being told. As Masnick states above:

"Specifically, he's asking them to help fund his defense, in exchange for not getting sued for the patent."

Again, the ends are being used to justify the means. As long as you know what a stupendous hypocrite you are, I'm fine with this.]]> Re: Re: Re: Re: Is that it? 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#c573 Thu, 23 May 2013 07:09:56 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#c573 Racketeering 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#c562 Thu, 23 May 2013 07:09:53 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#c562
Something like "hey guys, so I have this patent, and I really don't want to use it to sue anyone, but I have these legal bills and no money. Now, if I lose, it could hurt you too, so why not help me out, I'll license it to you at a very reasonable rate, and we can keep the lawyers out of it.]]> And THIS is why... http://www.techdirt.com/blog/wireless/articles/20130523/01030023182/man-butt-dials-911-while-discussing-murder-plot.shtml#c22 Thu, 23 May 2013 07:08:12 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/blog/wireless/articles/20130523/01030023182/man-butt-dials-911-while-discussing-murder-plot.shtml#c22 35% Commission http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c430 Thu, 23 May 2013 07:07:31 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c430
As people have criticized, I agree that I don't like the fact that Amazon is taking over ownership of the work, but in the old days publishers use to file the copyright on published works and tie up novels for 28 years. It's not too much different.]]> Re: Re: Read for comprehension! 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#c557 Thu, 23 May 2013 07:05:24 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#c557 what's going to happen that would affect others like Google? They are already protected by the DMCA

So was Megaupload, they followed the DMCA, still had the safe harbors, the only reason they didn't take down one file was because law enforcement told them not to.

So, by following the law, they got screwed over by the law.

You think that wouldn't be something Google, Facebook or Twitter should worry about?]]> Re: Re: Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/03160923172/chinese-hacks-google-database-surveillance-targets-highlight-how-dumb-technology-backdoors-are.shtml#c319 Thu, 23 May 2013 07:04:24 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/03160923172/chinese-hacks-google-database-surveillance-targets-highlight-how-dumb-technology-backdoors-are.shtml#c319
blank look and the question "What's a port and why do I need 80 of them?"

LOL, or 65,000 of them for that matter.]]> which one http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20100518/2341299481.shtml#c3111 Thu, 23 May 2013 07:04:01 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20100518/2341299481.shtml#c3111 Re: Re: Re: Prior Art 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#c534 Thu, 23 May 2013 07:03:26 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#c534
First of all, if you read it, Mike's not condoning this behavior at all.

Secondly, if Megaupload does go to trial and loses because Dotcom can't get the finances to fund his defense properly, how long until Google, Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and other sites start getting hit with the same problems that Megaupload got hit with? I'd assume not very long.

So, even if it's something that none of us really like (and if it was anyone BUT Megaupload, you would be cheering for them suing Google, Facebook and Twitter), the fact is, the alternative of Megaupload losing the case is BAD for the rest of the internet.

Or is your brain too alcohol-inebriated to understand that?]]> Re: Read for comprehension! 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#c513 Thu, 23 May 2013 07:03:25 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#c513
Besides, what precedent vis-a-vis the DMCA will be set here? I don't think the DMCA applies in criminal cases, but even if it did, what's going to happen that would affect others like Google? They are already protected by the DMCA. Dotcom isn't going to affect that in any way I can think of. Maybe you can spell out the details for me? I mean, I'm stupid and you're smart, so it should be simple for you.]]> Re: Re: Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/03160923172/chinese-hacks-google-database-surveillance-targets-highlight-how-dumb-technology-backdoors-are.shtml#c317 Thu, 23 May 2013 07:01:39 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/03160923172/chinese-hacks-google-database-surveillance-targets-highlight-how-dumb-technology-backdoors-are.shtml#c317 Potential Game Changer http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c425 Thu, 23 May 2013 07:01:34 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c425 which one http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20100518/2341299481.shtml#c3088 Thu, 23 May 2013 07:01:10 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20100518/2341299481.shtml#c3088 Re: Re: Re: Prior Art 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#c497 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:58:35 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#c497
If you actually read what has ben written you'll see that Mike thinks it's stupid for Kim to be patent trolling.

He does however make the point that these other companies might be in serious trouble if Km loses his case.]]> Re: Re: Re: Re: Is that it? 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#c491 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:57:40 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#c491 Read for comprehension! 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#c471 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:56:33 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#c471
The reason for tech companies to support Kim Dotcom is because the legal theory behind the prosecution would end up gutting DMCA protection of entities running web sites with cusomter-provided content. The tech companies should do this in spite of Kim Dotcom's repulsive personality and flagrant behavior.

There, that was easy, wasn't it? Maybe with a little work you can live up to the "average" part of your moniker, instead of being "4th quartile joe" in reading comprehension.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c404 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:56:22 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c404 I'm sorry to do this, but someone has to:

Slavery was proven to work for more than two thousand years.

Should we stick to that?

We do, almost. Look at the conditions of those workers who make the clothes you wear, your electronics and most of the products you have in your home. In many cases, particularly in the Third World- their lives are no better than that of the slaves of Colonial America.]]> 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#c461 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:56:14 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#c461 Re: Re: Re: whatever http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/22543223166/modest-proposal-going-piracy-neutral.shtml#c371 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:54:49 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/22543223166/modest-proposal-going-piracy-neutral.shtml#c371 Re: Re: Prior Art 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#c460 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:53:05 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#c460 In any event. such a thing has existed for decades. Unsurprisingly, some douchebag managed to get a patent on this...presumably because he put "on the internet" on the patent application.

But this is Mike's buddy's patent, so validity will not be discussed on TD. If IV was waving this patent around, Mike would be going ABSOLUTELY APESHIT. The double-standard is hilarious.]]>