http://www.techdirt.com/ Easily digestible tech news.... 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.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130511/01503023043/hangin-with-mr-cooper-prendas-fight-against-alan-cooper-flailing-badly.shtml#c497 Mon, 13 May 2013 07:50:49 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130511/01503023043/hangin-with-mr-cooper-prendas-fight-against-alan-cooper-flailing-badly.shtml#c497 Footnote 5 in the third document.


You win the extra credit points...]]> http://www.techdirt.com/blog/casestudies/articles/20130509/18162523030/there-is-no-logic-to-argument-that-zach-braff-shouldnt-use-kickstarter.shtml#c1490 Sun, 12 May 2013 23:40:33 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/blog/casestudies/articles/20130509/18162523030/there-is-no-logic-to-argument-that-zach-braff-shouldnt-use-kickstarter.shtml#c1490 And here, also explains what happens when you crowdfund. People start asking questions about your project.

Once again, you got it backwards. That story is saying that if you are open and honest you can build a real connection with your audience so they want to fund you... and you turn that into something bad about how people "start asking questions."

You've got it backwards.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/blog/casestudies/articles/20130509/18162523030/there-is-no-logic-to-argument-that-zach-braff-shouldnt-use-kickstarter.shtml#c1480 Sun, 12 May 2013 23:38:42 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/blog/casestudies/articles/20130509/18162523030/there-is-no-logic-to-argument-that-zach-braff-shouldnt-use-kickstarter.shtml#c1480 When they all use Kickstarter, then we'll see if it continues to work for them all or if celebrity crowdfunding fatigue sets in.

That's like saying once people get used to seeing movies they'll stop going. It makes no sense.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/blog/casestudies/articles/20130509/18162523030/there-is-no-logic-to-argument-that-zach-braff-shouldnt-use-kickstarter.shtml#c1469 Sun, 12 May 2013 23:37:51 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/blog/casestudies/articles/20130509/18162523030/there-is-no-logic-to-argument-that-zach-braff-shouldnt-use-kickstarter.shtml#c1469 And the Rolling Stones are discovering that people don't want to pay a lot of money to see them.


Sometimes I wonder what you're smoking, because you seem to be almost incapable of understanding things.

The Rolling Stones made more money touring than anyone else over the last decade. Last year they made $25 million from just FIVE shows.

Yeah. People don't want to pay? Are you out of your mind?

But, really that gets back to the idiotic point that started this discussion. How is it different if people give Braff money via Kickstarter or via a movie ticket? I'd argue that giving via Kickstarter is much better, because it goes directly to Braff and gives him a lot more control.

How come you're not out their arguing that people going to Hollywood movies are somehow "damaging" indie movies? Because that's the same thing you're arguing.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/blog/casestudies/articles/20130509/18162523030/there-is-no-logic-to-argument-that-zach-braff-shouldnt-use-kickstarter.shtml#c1463 Sun, 12 May 2013 23:28:50 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/blog/casestudies/articles/20130509/18162523030/there-is-no-logic-to-argument-that-zach-braff-shouldnt-use-kickstarter.shtml#c1463 So it has been more about patronage than reason to buy. Do celebrities need patrons? That's what the discussion has been about.

Entertainers have ALWAYS had patrons. There's no discussion here. Why is it wrong for them to seek patrons?

Would you think it's wrong for them to advertise that you should go see a movie they're in? How is this different?

Answer: it's not.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130510/15454323039/appeals-court-issues-135-page-ruling-software-patents-that-answers-almost-nothing.shtml#c599 Sun, 12 May 2013 23:21:50 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130510/15454323039/appeals-court-issues-135-page-ruling-software-patents-that-answers-almost-nothing.shtml#c599 Let me put this another way. TD is clearly an advocacy site, and as such differs little from advocacy groups such as the EFF.

You're so funny. You've been commenting on this site for years, with a clear bias and an EXCEPTIONALLY clear agenda. You're just as much of an "advocate" as I am.

And, frankly, I'm thrilled to be compared to the EFF -- who you criticized earlier. If I've accomplished in my life 1% of what the EFF does in a year, then I've done something amazing.

If one is seeking objective information from which to formulate their own opinion, then they would best be served by looking elsewhere where such information resides.

I, as well as the EFF, are pretty good about including as many original sources as possible. We are big believers in letting people decide for themselves.

You, on the other hand, regularly lie, distort and mislead. And when called on it, you double down with more lies. Plus, you're (now) anonymous (despite naming yourself on other sites where your "friends" write).

You've never provided objective information here. You have a clear agenda and you weakly try to hide it by pretending that you're "merely here to provide some information" or whatever pedantic language choice you make that day.

No one is fooled by you.

Does the EFF have a bias? Absolutely. It's towards more freedom and what's best for the world. If you don't have that "bias" then you're a fool.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130510/15454323039/appeals-court-issues-135-page-ruling-software-patents-that-answers-almost-nothing.shtml#c524 Sun, 12 May 2013 18:13:02 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130510/15454323039/appeals-court-issues-135-page-ruling-software-patents-that-answers-almost-nothing.shtml#c524 In matters associated with patent law you have your resources and I have mine (a few of which coincide with yours). Perhaps the main difference between yours and mine is that yours tend (but not always) to reflect your views, whereas mine reflect widely diverging views.

You know what they say about people who make assumptions?

Yeah. That.

You're completely wrong again. It happens a lot. You should stop making stupid assumptions because it only reflects poorly on you.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130510/15454323039/appeals-court-issues-135-page-ruling-software-patents-that-answers-almost-nothing.shtml#c467 Sat, 11 May 2013 23:15:14 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130510/15454323039/appeals-court-issues-135-page-ruling-software-patents-that-answers-almost-nothing.shtml#c467
You could just admit that you disagree (though tellingly you didn't even make a single substantive comment on their analysis -- you just went straight for the insult) but no you have to claim they're stupid.


Over the past few years I've seen your daily comments here and have dealt with them many times. You have no business insulting them because you are consistently wrong, uninformed, and worse when called on it and proven wrong you pretend you never said what you said.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130509/01272923016/key-legal-fight-shaping-up-over-legality-dmca-abuses.shtml#c564 Sat, 11 May 2013 02:43:30 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130509/01272923016/key-legal-fight-shaping-up-over-legality-dmca-abuses.shtml#c564 Is horse with no name actually aj, or someone else?


Someone else. But someone else who has been here before and was considered one of the worst trolls on the site...]]>