Latest Techdirt Comments http://www.techdirt.com/ Easily digestible tech news.... 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#c135 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:22:55 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#c135 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#c114 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:22:17 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#c114
I have this patent, see, and you infringe on it. It would be a shame if I had to go to court with you over it... why don't you just cooperate with me?
Where, with most patent trolls, "cooperate" means "fork over some money", in this case it means... fork over some money.]]> 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#c104 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:20:36 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#c104
Dumbass.

That is all.]]> "reasonably monetize what might be considered infringement under the law" http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c303 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:20:14 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c303
Anyhoo, this is LICENSING: "They're basically licensing the copyrights from certain popular works". -- SO LICENSING WORKS, OKAY? Due props plus some cash thrown their way are about all most creators ask.

Just stick to traditional copyright, kids: it's proven for more than a hundred years to work. -- And on the other side, DON'T STEAL, that's been proven wrong for millenia.]]> 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#c85 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:20:06 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#c85 If this was any one else except the sainted Kim Dotcom, you would be all over them for being weasels and patent trolls.

Is that it?

Understand that not only is Masnick a shameless piracy apologist- he's also Dotcom's own 'mini-me'. You'll see nothing but adulation here.]]> Re: Re: Re: Re: Odd http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c280 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:18:54 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c280 the licensor controls the re-use rights.

All that experience, and no clue!

You don't know the content of the license that Amazon is obtaining. You also still miss the point that Amazon would hold the rights to these stories, which they could then sell to the licensor to be developed into movies or other shows, etc.

You seem to be thinking that Amazon's license would be very limited in scope, similar to someone making toys. I doubt that would be the case, because it would keep them from hitting the financial jackpot. This process looks more like crowdsourcing future TV scripts to me.]]> 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#c68 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:14:29 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#c68
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#c64 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:14:01 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#c64 Remember, Dotcom has been hit with racketeering claims, and I would think that anything that implies "give me money or I'll sue" isn't the best move for someone already facing racketeering charges.

I'm sure the prosecutor is grateful to Dotcom for his assistance in his own prosecution.]]> Re: "I believe in sharing knowledge and ideas for the good of society." 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#c44 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:11:22 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#c44
"If you're against copyright, quit putting your name on posts! You don't own the idea!
02:00:36[c- 1-0]"

Ownership and attribution are entirely separate concerns. Duh.]]> Re: Re: Re: Just like a book deal, but worse http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c263 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:10:59 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c263
However, as I've said elsewhere here, the author ultimately has the choice as to whether to accept this deal, upload for free anywhere or to publish a version with the copyrighted references removed, with the many other methods available. While there's still a choice, I don't see why this is too much of a problem. If an author doesn't like the deal, they don't have to take it - they just won't be able to legally monetise the work they based on copyrighted material while it still references that material.]]> Re: "I believe in sharing knowledge and ideas for the good of society." 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#c39 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:07:55 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#c39 Re: Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c243 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:06:43 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c243
No, boy.
Because it's a case of a copyright owner figuring out a way for both it and the fans (who wouldn't make a cent otherwise) to monitize their work, Masnick thinks it's cool.
And so do I.]]> Re: It's like Tethering all over again http://www.techdirt.com/blog/wireless/articles/20130521/20101423164/att-says-you-can-use-any-video-streaming-app-you-want-just-as-soon-as-it-can-get-meter-running.shtml#c304 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:04:37 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/blog/wireless/articles/20130521/20101423164/att-says-you-can-use-any-video-streaming-app-you-want-just-as-soon-as-it-can-get-meter-running.shtml#c304 You are my new hero.]]> Re: Another monopoly? http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c239 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:03:40 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c239 "I believe in sharing knowledge and ideas for the good of society." 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#c26 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:00:57 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#c26
But I hope Dotcom does sue over this alleged patent! What a bunch of tangles for Mike! He'd have to choose between Dotcom and Google, and whether Dotcom is just a patent troll! And this is VERY MUCH like extortion.


Take a loopy tour of Techdirt.com! You always end up same place!
http://techdirt.com/
If you're against copyright, quit putting your name on posts! You don't own the idea!
02:00:36[c- 1-0]]]> Re: Re: Re: Odd http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c224 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:00:04 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c224
"Incorrect. Amazon would hold the rights to the story, and they could then license it to the studio for development. There is nothing that says Amazon would be the ones making movies or whatnot. Why think so narrowly?"

Because I've worked on licensed products since 1981?
Written, illustrated, and occasionaly edited for several comic book companies on licensed series (including Star Trek, X-Files, Jurassic Park, and GhostBusters), the terms are usually that the publisher has to have approval from the licensor on story (and art) content (I could tell you horror stories on that score) and that the licensor has control over reprinting and ancillary rights (including use in other media)
That's why, for example, Dark Horse was able to reprint Marvel's Star Wars comics, since LucasFilm, not Marvel, controlled the rights.
Theoretically, the licensors could, once the contract with Amazon expires, move the project to Barnes & Noble.
Either way, the licensor controls the re-use rights.]]> Re: Just like a book deal, but worse http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c220 Thu, 23 May 2013 06:00:03 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c220 Moreover, and perhaps more worrisome, I can easily see the 'the only fair use is paid use' lot using this to attack derivative works where the character's/settings aren't licensed, by insisting that now a system is in place where you can pay to use the characters and settings in a derivative work, that means you have to do so, otherwise you're 'stealing from the original writer(s)'.

I think you are off with your concern of 'the only fair use is paid use'. But, I think where people seek to monetize derivative works (in any manner); that this will be cited.]]> Re: Re: Re: Necessity is the mother of invention http://www.techdirt.com/blog/casestudies/articles/20130510/00083123031/cool-new-platform-supporting-artists-patreon-jack-conte.shtml#c184 Thu, 23 May 2013 05:59:13 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/blog/casestudies/articles/20130510/00083123031/cool-new-platform-supporting-artists-patreon-jack-conte.shtml#c184 Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/17321623162/released-video-silva-beating-shows-his-last-moments-video-actual-beating-still-missing.shtml#c794 Thu, 23 May 2013 05:54:20 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/17321623162/released-video-silva-beating-shows-his-last-moments-video-actual-beating-still-missing.shtml#c794 Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c202 Thu, 23 May 2013 05:54:11 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/11301723178/amazon-wants-to-sell-fan-fiction-with-it-originator-fanfic-author-all-sharing-profits.shtml#c202 How is this different to traditional publishers?

It's not one bit different. But because it's a tech company Masnick thinks it's cool.]]>