Latest Techdirt Comments http://www.techdirt.com/ Easily digestible tech news.... 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#c1827 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:22:08 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#c1827 I read "Nowhere do the charges even attempt to show any specific *criminal* infringement." as "Nowhere in the charges are there any evidence presented to support specific criminal infringement". And there isn't.

He didn't say "He is not being charged with specific *criminal* infringement". If he did, you'd have a point, also the subject has been discussed extensively when his indictment was news.

I read it as him denying that there's any specific criminal infringement shown, emphasis on "criminal." That count of the indictment shows specific criminal infringement. It's criminal under Section 506(a)(1)(C) even though it's only one film.

The text of the indictment demonstrates some of the evidence behind the charge:
On or about October 25, 2008, VAN DER KOLK uploaded an infringing copy of a copyrighted motion picture entitled "Taken 2008 DVDRip Repack [A Release Lounge H264 By Micky22].mp4" to Megaupload.com and e-mailed the URL link for the file to another individual. An infringing copy of this copyrighted work was still present as of October 27, 2011, on a server in the Eastern District of Virginia controlled by the Mega Conspiracy.
The allegation is that Bram van der Kolk uploaded it personally. The others are alleged to be accomplices (that's the 18 U.S.C. 2 bit in the text I quoted above). Accomplices are treated as though they committed the act themselves. Thus, all are charged with specific CRIMINAL infringement. This is shown and alleged in the indictment.

I'd love to hear why Mike thinks otherwise, but I suspect, as per ALWAYS, he's gone now (or you're him), and we won't get any answer from him directly. Why he can't discuss and/or admit this stuff puzzles me no end. It's OK to admit that something is alleged and shown in the indictment. But for some reason he has to defend and protect Kim and the Gang. Wonder why...]]> 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#c1812 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:22:03 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#c1812 He denied it just two weeks ago:

Except that the entire focus of the article was on the aiding and abetting charges. In order to show that Megaupload "aided and abetted" criminal infringement done by their users, they have to show that a specific user committed criminal infringement.

And they have not done that. So, Mike is entirely correct.

Separately, that specific allegation - even if true - probably doesn't rise to the level of criminal infringement. But that allegation was not the basis of the aiding and abetting charges, so it's irrelevant to that discussion.

So, once again, you have shown that you are the one that is "slimy and dishonest" (your words).]]> Re: Would you go far as "Spying Is Bad, Period"? http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/02514123171/partisanship-over-spying-journalists-is-stupid-spying-journalists-is-bad-period.shtml#c56 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:21:10 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/02514123171/partisanship-over-spying-journalists-is-stupid-spying-journalists-is-bad-period.shtml#c56 Re: Re: Re: What a whiney baby http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/18103323179/filmmaker-behind-pirate-bay-documentary-says-bogus-dmca-takedowns-take-away-his-free-speech.shtml#c782 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:20:46 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/18103323179/filmmaker-behind-pirate-bay-documentary-says-bogus-dmca-takedowns-take-away-his-free-speech.shtml#c782
This is an entirely moronic article.]]> Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What a whiney baby + @ "Oh, you didn http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/18103323179/filmmaker-behind-pirate-bay-documentary-says-bogus-dmca-takedowns-take-away-his-free-speech.shtml#c776 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:20:24 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/18103323179/filmmaker-behind-pirate-bay-documentary-says-bogus-dmca-takedowns-take-away-his-free-speech.shtml#c776 What's the big deal?

I]]> Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What a whiney baby + @ "Oh, you didn http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/18103323179/filmmaker-behind-pirate-bay-documentary-says-bogus-dmca-takedowns-take-away-his-free-speech.shtml#c755 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:19:00 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/18103323179/filmmaker-behind-pirate-bay-documentary-says-bogus-dmca-takedowns-take-away-his-free-speech.shtml#c755 if the DMCA notices were truly bogus, he'll have a good claim and he can even sue

How many people have successfully filed (and won) a lawsuit against someone who filed a false DMCA claim for doing just that?

How much did those people receive in terms of a monetary reward for damages incurred by the illegitimate DMCA claims?

The filmmaker has a full right to file a counterclaim and I hope he does. That doesn]]> Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What a whiney baby + @ "Oh, you didn http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/18103323179/filmmaker-behind-pirate-bay-documentary-says-bogus-dmca-takedowns-take-away-his-free-speech.shtml#c742 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:17:40 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/18103323179/filmmaker-behind-pirate-bay-documentary-says-bogus-dmca-takedowns-take-away-his-free-speech.shtml#c742
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20100712/23482610186.shtml]]> Would you go far as "Spying Is Bad, Period"? http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/02514123171/partisanship-over-spying-journalists-is-stupid-spying-journalists-is-bad-period.shtml#c48 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:17:06 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/02514123171/partisanship-over-spying-journalists-is-stupid-spying-journalists-is-bad-period.shtml#c48 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/02455423183/prenda-lawyer-says-georgia-court-should-ignore-judge-wrights-order-because-look-hackers.shtml#c364 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:15:40 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/02455423183/prenda-lawyer-says-georgia-court-should-ignore-judge-wrights-order-because-look-hackers.shtml#c364
So I just made a gift to Nazaire: next time you, Jacques, can build your pleading on the fact that the owner of a blog critical to your (fake) client and your scumbag masters expressed sympathy to evil hackers.]]> Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What a whiney baby + @ "Oh, you didn http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/18103323179/filmmaker-behind-pirate-bay-documentary-says-bogus-dmca-takedowns-take-away-his-free-speech.shtml#c732 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:14:36 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/18103323179/filmmaker-behind-pirate-bay-documentary-says-bogus-dmca-takedowns-take-away-his-free-speech.shtml#c732 And if the DMCA notices were truly bogus, he'll have a good claim and he can even sue.
Good one, Bob. You may be a terrible demagogue, but you sure are a funny comedian.]]> 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#c1800 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:12:51 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#c1800 It isn't difficult.

...is one of average_joe's favorite go-to lines. (As is "on the merits.")

Could there be sock puppetry at work here?

I don't know, but it wouldn't surprise me, since 1. AJ has admitted he posts anonymously, 2. he has proven to be fundamentally dishonest, and 3. he's the only person in the universe who honestly believes he's ever won a debate with Mike.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/02514123171/partisanship-over-spying-journalists-is-stupid-spying-journalists-is-bad-period.shtml#c34 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:12:33 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/02514123171/partisanship-over-spying-journalists-is-stupid-spying-journalists-is-bad-period.shtml#c34 pretty sure... http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10303023175/magic-hat-brewery-sues-west-sixth-brewing-using-number-six-their-logo.shtml#c159 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:12:33 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10303023175/magic-hat-brewery-sues-west-sixth-brewing-using-number-six-their-logo.shtml#c159 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/02514123171/partisanship-over-spying-journalists-is-stupid-spying-journalists-is-bad-period.shtml#c11 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:10:13 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/02514123171/partisanship-over-spying-journalists-is-stupid-spying-journalists-is-bad-period.shtml#c11 "It seems like a pretty clear case of what's good and right, and spying on journalists' communications is generally considered not right."One could make the logical argument that spying on any citizen; regardless of their function in society; is likely a key step towards a martial-law/fascist governance...]]> Re: Anomaly? Coincicence? Or does DMCA = Censorship? http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/18103323179/filmmaker-behind-pirate-bay-documentary-says-bogus-dmca-takedowns-take-away-his-free-speech.shtml#c731 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:10:12 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/18103323179/filmmaker-behind-pirate-bay-documentary-says-bogus-dmca-takedowns-take-away-his-free-speech.shtml#c731
Of course. But did he or the studios pay the lawmakers?]]> Re: Pentium http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10303023175/magic-hat-brewery-sues-west-sixth-brewing-using-number-six-their-logo.shtml#c148 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:07:53 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10303023175/magic-hat-brewery-sues-west-sixth-brewing-using-number-six-their-logo.shtml#c148 Re: What a whiney baby + @ "Oh, you didn http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/18103323179/filmmaker-behind-pirate-bay-documentary-says-bogus-dmca-takedowns-take-away-his-free-speech.shtml#c721 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:06:46 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/18103323179/filmmaker-behind-pirate-bay-documentary-says-bogus-dmca-takedowns-take-away-his-free-speech.shtml#c721 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10303023175/magic-hat-brewery-sues-west-sixth-brewing-using-number-six-their-logo.shtml#c142 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:06:00 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10303023175/magic-hat-brewery-sues-west-sixth-brewing-using-number-six-their-logo.shtml#c142 " Rinse, repeat. Exactly how many double-slammed-beers do you think this person would have to go through before they can't tell the difference between a 6 and a 9?"

Challenge Accepted!

My guess is that I will become bloated and sick before I can't tell the difference though. Beer is what I drink when it's time to start sobering up... ;)]]> Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What a whiney baby + @ "Oh, you didn http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/18103323179/filmmaker-behind-pirate-bay-documentary-says-bogus-dmca-takedowns-take-away-his-free-speech.shtml#c718 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:05:19 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/18103323179/filmmaker-behind-pirate-bay-documentary-says-bogus-dmca-takedowns-take-away-his-free-speech.shtml#c718 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/02455423183/prenda-lawyer-says-georgia-court-should-ignore-judge-wrights-order-because-look-hackers.shtml#c344 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:05:12 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/02455423183/prenda-lawyer-says-georgia-court-should-ignore-judge-wrights-order-because-look-hackers.shtml#c344