http://www.techdirt.com/ Easily digestible tech news.... http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/10401723156/if-you-think-you-should-actually-own-products-you-bought-now-would-be-good-time-to-call-congress.shtml#c1669 Tue, 21 May 2013 23:18:04 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/10401723156/if-you-think-you-should-actually-own-products-you-bought-now-would-be-good-time-to-call-congress.shtml#c1669
This is why there is no discussing anything with you on the merits. You employ logical fallacies like you invented them, and you constantly move the goalposts.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130520/01450023148/makers-nutella-force-fan-who-created-world-nutella-day-to-shut-it-down-updated.shtml#c552 Tue, 21 May 2013 14:59:21 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130520/01450023148/makers-nutella-force-fan-who-created-world-nutella-day-to-shut-it-down-updated.shtml#c552 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130515/00554723091/more-details-emerge-key-legal-fight-over-dmca-abuse.shtml#c106 Tue, 21 May 2013 14:58:18 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130515/00554723091/more-details-emerge-key-legal-fight-over-dmca-abuse.shtml#c106
Next time, try reading. I know, I know, that involves actually understanding the issues at play -- and that's not the sort of thing you do -- but it might help you not sound so completely confused all the time.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/blog/innovation/articles/20130521/12175523157/nyc-says-renting-out-your-place-via-airbnb-is-running-illegal-hotel.shtml#c107 Tue, 21 May 2013 14:56:17 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/blog/innovation/articles/20130521/12175523157/nyc-says-renting-out-your-place-via-airbnb-is-running-illegal-hotel.shtml#c107 I've been reading Techdirt for a long time now, and I really enjoy most of the articles, but you have a *massive* problem with not being able to admit when you're wrong.

Just because you have a different *opinion* does not mean I was "wrong." In this case, I stand by my opinion. When I am shown to be factually incorrect, I have no problem at all admitting to the mistakes.

Uber has been thoroughly discredited ever since it came out that the company is 1) run by an Objectivist who 2) engaged in massive, illegal price gouging in the Sandy flooding and then 3) tried to use ridiculous Objectivist rhetoric to paint a smiley face over the whole thing and make it look like what he was doing was good for everyone involved, when five seconds of critical thinking tears the entire argument to shreds.

None of that has anything to do with what I stated. It appears you hate Travis because of his views. So be it. But that's got nothing to do with the key point, which is that his service -- which is innovative and useful -- is getting hammered due to ridiculous regulations designed to protect cabs.

So the people who have been around for long enough to garner several good reviews end up rising to the top.
If you're new, you don't have any reviews, meaning that no one is going to want to choose to stay at your place when there are more attractive places with lots of good reviews competing with you.

That doesn't seem to be a problem on AirBnb that I can see, so, no.

And once people start understanding how important reviews are to getting business, managing reviews starts becoming an important part of the business model. Then you get people writing fake reviews of their own place, (or fake *bad* reviews of the competition,) and people starting to take steps to coerce the sorts of reviews they want out of their customers. (See: the case of that one dentist suing people who wrote bad reviews.)

And there are easy ways to deal with that as well. Besides, for the most part, in exploring airbnb, there's little issue about "competition." People have spare space, and they rent it out when people need it. No one seems to be all that concerned about competitors.

But, more to the point, faking reviews is fairly difficult (and expensive) since you'd have to actually book the room first, and AirBnB seems to have a pretty extensive system in place to deal with any problems that arise.

So... okay, you hate these new services. That's your opinion. I disagree. Why the hate?]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130515/00554723091/more-details-emerge-key-legal-fight-over-dmca-abuse.shtml#c35 Tue, 21 May 2013 14:33:22 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130515/00554723091/more-details-emerge-key-legal-fight-over-dmca-abuse.shtml#c35 Leave it to you to elevate a cat fight.


Not me. Your buddies from the MPAA seemed to think it was a big deal. Seems like maybe the legal issues are important, and you don't want that to happen, so you start throwing insults.

Very adult like.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/10401723156/if-you-think-you-should-actually-own-products-you-bought-now-would-be-good-time-to-call-congress.shtml#c245 Tue, 21 May 2013 12:53:59 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/10401723156/if-you-think-you-should-actually-own-products-you-bought-now-would-be-good-time-to-call-congress.shtml#c245 That Mike is pretending that it's not a weakening is priceless.

That AJ is pretending I said something I didn't, and then going on one of his trademarked temper tantrums, is priceless.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/10401723156/if-you-think-you-should-actually-own-products-you-bought-now-would-be-good-time-to-call-congress.shtml#c226 Tue, 21 May 2013 12:52:01 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/10401723156/if-you-think-you-should-actually-own-products-you-bought-now-would-be-good-time-to-call-congress.shtml#c226 That is irrelevant to my point. This would weaken copyright law. Mike's claim to the contrary is totally bogus. Can anyone refute my actual point?

It changes the law. It does not weaken anyone's *copyright* which is what I claimed.

But here you are throwing a temper tantrum pretending I said what I didn't say.

You do that all too frequently.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/10401723156/if-you-think-you-should-actually-own-products-you-bought-now-would-be-good-time-to-call-congress.shtml#c209 Tue, 21 May 2013 12:50:54 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/10401723156/if-you-think-you-should-actually-own-products-you-bought-now-would-be-good-time-to-call-congress.shtml#c209 Wow, really? Of course it weakens copyright law--that's why you support it

I said it doesn't weaken *copyrights*. I said nothing about the law. It changes the law, but it does not weaken anyone's copyrights.

If you weren't so desperate to attack me on every post, you might try actually reading what I wrote.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/10401723156/if-you-think-you-should-actually-own-products-you-bought-now-would-be-good-time-to-call-congress.shtml#c58 Tue, 21 May 2013 12:20:49 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/10401723156/if-you-think-you-should-actually-own-products-you-bought-now-would-be-good-time-to-call-congress.shtml#c58 Pointless. Why create a new law when it's clear the existing law is broken?


This law fixes the old law.

Waste of time. I have zero faith in a Congress that can't even take the time to fix the problems which made the DMCA an issue to begin with.

That's what this law does.

We don't need new laws. We need the existing laws corrected.


That's what this law does.

And obviously, my calls to my (Ind) senators have done nothing to make this happen.


Your calls alone won't, but lots of calls will.

Do that, instead of supporting this law, please.


Uh, again, that's what this law does.

Tell Congress to fix what they broke in the first place.


Again, that's what this law does.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130516/12483923107/nz-supreme-court-will-review-kim-dotcoms-extradition-case.shtml#c147 Thu, 16 May 2013 21:55:07 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130516/12483923107/nz-supreme-court-will-review-kim-dotcoms-extradition-case.shtml#c147 I'd be surprised if the Court didn't elect to simply flush the toilet. ridding NZ of this particular piece of shit.


You'd be amazed at how well liked he appears to be in New Zealand.

I seem to recall the Fat Bastard volunteered to come to the US to stand trial if only money for his defense was released; and subsequently remember some $3 million being ordered released by a judge.

You remember entirely incorrectly. The DOJ did not release his funds. Certain funds were released *in New Zealand* and only for the NZ side of the case. His offer involved his US defense. In fact, the order releasing the funds specifically said he could not pay his US lawyers with it.

I sure hope he doesn't play cards wirh other inmates when he does get to the States. He's not much on bluffing.


What bluff? You made a false statement.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130511/02114423045/some-data-big-kickstarter-projects-famous-people-actually-helps-other-projects.shtml#c178 Thu, 16 May 2013 00:48:18 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130511/02114423045/some-data-big-kickstarter-projects-famous-people-actually-helps-other-projects.shtml#c178 "Basically, the issue here is that Braff's intentions to subvert the studio system and do things his own way without interference from a financial backer don't seem genuine at all now."

If you actually understood what happened you would know this statement is absolutely false.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130511/02114423045/some-data-big-kickstarter-projects-famous-people-actually-helps-other-projects.shtml#c156 Thu, 16 May 2013 00:47:07 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130511/02114423045/some-data-big-kickstarter-projects-famous-people-actually-helps-other-projects.shtml#c156 And now it's being funded mostly by traditional means.

Not actually true:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1869987317/wish-i-was-here-1/posts/482298]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130514/10391523084/vp-joe-biden-believes-theres-no-legal-reason-government-cant-slap-sin-tax-violent-media.shtml#c397 Wed, 15 May 2013 21:12:52 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130514/10391523084/vp-joe-biden-believes-theres-no-legal-reason-government-cant-slap-sin-tax-violent-media.shtml#c397 Anything to help your buddies out at the MPAA ey Joe?


Hmm. As easy as it is to blame the MPAA, I would bet that they would protest HEAVILY if this was pushed forward. The LAST thing the MPAA wants is a tax on violent movies. They would probably lead the fight against it...]]> http://www.techdirt.com/blog/casestudies/articles/20130509/18162523030/there-is-no-logic-to-argument-that-zach-braff-shouldnt-use-kickstarter.shtml#c1838 Wed, 15 May 2013 20:44:11 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/blog/casestudies/articles/20130509/18162523030/there-is-no-logic-to-argument-that-zach-braff-shouldnt-use-kickstarter.shtml#c1838 Here's the latest one to fail. I suppose this is the negative side of celebrity association for Kickstarter. The projects bring more attention to Kickstarter when they succeed and also when they fail.

You're making a number of logical errors here. First off, as we discussed below, this is NOT a failure:

http://www.techdirt.com/blog/startups/articles/20130228/00041522145/kickstarter-projects-that-dont-meet-their-goal-are-not-failures-they-help-people-avoid-failures.shtml

All it did was show that *THAT* project was no what consumers wanted, and no one had to spend money on it. That's a success. Spending money on a project no one wants is a failure. Doing market testing and moving on to something else is not a failure.

Second, you assume that it's "celebrities" that succeed or fail. It's not. It's the whole combination of things: the project, the connection, etc.

Trying to pigeon hole "celebrity" campaigns is meaningless. Those campaigns are nothing alike.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130508/10233423003/bug-allows-same-sex-marriage-nintendo-game-nintendo-releases-patch-to-fix-it.shtml#c2906 Wed, 15 May 2013 08:53:19 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130508/10233423003/bug-allows-same-sex-marriage-nintendo-game-nintendo-releases-patch-to-fix-it.shtml#c2906 When I was very young, around 4-5, if I remember correctly.


Interesting. How did you go about choosing at that age?

Because men and women go together naturally;

You knew that at age 4?

they can reproduce

Are you only attracted to people based on whether or not they can bare you a child?

each having a special role in the upbringing of children.

Also interesting. What are the "special roles" you're talking about?]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130508/10233423003/bug-allows-same-sex-marriage-nintendo-game-nintendo-releases-patch-to-fix-it.shtml#c2608 Wed, 15 May 2013 05:57:42 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130508/10233423003/bug-allows-same-sex-marriage-nintendo-game-nintendo-releases-patch-to-fix-it.shtml#c2608
Either way, no big deal.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130508/10233423003/bug-allows-same-sex-marriage-nintendo-game-nintendo-releases-patch-to-fix-it.shtml#c2237 Tue, 14 May 2013 23:52:22 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130508/10233423003/bug-allows-same-sex-marriage-nintendo-game-nintendo-releases-patch-to-fix-it.shtml#c2237 Hey, found this article with the same wording and a different by-line over: http://www.teleread.com/nintendo/bug-allows-same-sex-marriage-in-nintendo-game-nintendo-releases-pat ch-to-fix-it

I don't know what the normal techdirt response to something like this is (Given my interpretation of the editorial attitude 'round here, I'd hope not immediate legal threats).

Huh. That's odd. We have no problem with folks copying our stuff, though we appreciate them linking back to the original and properly crediting the author. As we've noted in the past, people are free to do whatever they want with our work, though if they replace bylines and don't mention the source, it often probably comes back to harm their *own* reputation.

Anyway, Teleread's always been a pretty good site that we're fans of here. I just sent a friendly email to the folks there to ask them if they meant to post it that way, or if it was unintentional, though making it clear that we appreciate our work being seen. We'd just appreciate it more if it were properly bylined and credited.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130508/10233423003/bug-allows-same-sex-marriage-nintendo-game-nintendo-releases-patch-to-fix-it.shtml#c2188 Tue, 14 May 2013 23:25:54 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130508/10233423003/bug-allows-same-sex-marriage-nintendo-game-nintendo-releases-patch-to-fix-it.shtml#c2188 Unlike homosexuality, race and sex are not choices.

And when did you "choose" to be heterosexual?

Why not let people marry animals, children, or anything else? After all, everything else is purely subjective in your view.

Out of curiosity, why do you believe that marriage is definitively and without question between a man and a woman?]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130508/16401523009/eff-teaches-you-how-to-bake-mean-spirited-censorship-pie.shtml#c112 Tue, 14 May 2013 15:39:33 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130508/16401523009/eff-teaches-you-how-to-bake-mean-spirited-censorship-pie.shtml#c112 Do I think the term is generic? Maybe, but I've never heard of the pie by any name until today. Regardless, as of now no court has held that it is generic. So he has a valid trademark and he's enforcing it.

Bloggers posting Derby Pie recipes to their website are not engaged in commerce, which is necessary for their to be a trademark violation...]]> 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#c1045 Mon, 13 May 2013 16:09:52 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#c1045 No it does not. A service provider who gets a DMCA notice about content is suppose to contact the user or account holder in question and given them time to reply.

That's not true. That's not what the law says.

Some ISPs choose to do that, but the law tells them to take it down first, not give them time to reply. It's "notice and takedown." What you're describing is "notice and notice" with has some interest but is not the law.

If you are going to make shit up, at least blame the right parties


I could say the same to you.]]>