Robb Topolski 's Techdirt Comments

Latest Comments (46) comment rss

  • On the post: Net Neutrality Advocates Won’t Appeal Trump Destruction, Say U.S. Courts Are Broken

    Robb Topolski ( profile ), 18 Aug, 2025 @ 01:48pm

    Net Neutrality isn't dead

    Unlike in 2007, I’m hard-pressed to identify proven or testable situations where secretive and unsupported (non-standardized) methods of delaying or denying traffic are currently occurring—the kinds of practices from 2007 that led to the 2010 rules. What’s compelling is the mistaken notion that “the Internet” itself is an information service. While it carries information, that does not make it an information service any more than asphalt is a transportation service. The Internet enables information services (just as dial-up did), but the Internet itself cannot store or transform data—only services operating on the Internet can do that. We understand this. Yet in today's climate—with institutions weakened and politics increasingly toxic—facts and laws often seem to make no difference. My instinct is to right this wrong immediately, but I recognize that it’s wiser to choose the right time and method. In the meantime, just as in 2007, let’s remain vigilant for ISPs behaving badly—and be ready to call them out when they do.

  • On the post: Rep. Blackburn Introduces Bill To Thwart Vile FCC Attempt To Do….Little To Nothing Of Substance On Net Neutrality

    Robb Topolski ( profile ), 21 Feb, 2014 @ 04:19pm

    Net Neutrality doesn't mean all traffic is treated equally...

    ... it means that it isn't treated at all.

    The Fairness Doctrine did mean equal time for opposing views.

    Net Neutrality means that the network doesn't care about the gist of the content that it carries. It just blindly forwards traffic.

  • On the post: New Year's Message: From Optimism And Innovation… To The Power To Make A Difference

    Robb Topolski ( profile ), 31 Dec, 2011 @ 06:24am

    Thanks Mike

    I have only two favorite sites that I visit several times a week -- this one and dslreports.com.

  • On the post: According To Microsoft's Own Numbers, Microsoft Costs The World Economy $500 Billion

    Robb Topolski ( profile ), 31 Mar, 2011 @ 12:12pm

    For me it's not just about software cost but of time ...

    ... how about the amount of time juggling and tracking license numbers and staring numbly at "progress bars?" Microsoft software takes painfully long periods of time to update, compared to Linux, which also doesn't have the licensing administration problems.

  • On the post: New Year's Message: From Pessimism To Optimism… And The Power Of Innovation

    Robb Topolski ( profile ), 31 Dec, 2010 @ 06:06am

    It's true

    Mike,

    After reading day after day of Techdirt, I'm a pessimist because these issues are both clearly wrong and little progress is being made to correct them. However, I'm ever grateful that you highlight them accurately and faithfully.

    I couldn't do it. After weeks and months, at some point, I'd just have to give up disgustedly. I'm happy that it doesn't get to you and that it doesn't really bend you, either.

    Happy new year, Mike!

    Robb

  • On the post: Netflix's Move From DVDs To Streaming Shows The Massive Value Of First Sale Doctrine

    Robb Topolski ( profile ), 13 Dec, 2010 @ 08:03am

    If anyone has any doubt...

    ...look at Christmas. The story of Santa Claus or the story of baby Jesus are both in the public domain, and ka-jillions are made off of each every year.

  • On the post: Police Claim Burglars Used Facebook To Target Empty Homes; Proof Lacking

    Robb Topolski ( profile ), 13 Sep, 2010 @ 11:00am

    Facebook says most of these cases have nothing to do with them...

    Facebook released the following statement to NECN (http://www.necn.com/pages/landing?blockID=307943):

    “We’ve been in contact with the Nashua police, and they confirmed that they while they have an ongoing investigation and have already made a number of arrests, the only Facebook link was that one of those arrested had a Facebook friend who posted about leaving town in the near future (which is why they believe that home was targeted) and it had nothing to do with Facebook Places. The police confirmed that the other burglaries had nothing to do with Facebook altogether.” (emphasis mine)
    That said, professional burglars have been known to use the obituaries to find out when families would be at services to target burglaries.

  • On the post: Are New Patent Marking Lawsuits Patent Trolling… Or Anti-Patent Trolling?

    Robb Topolski ( profile ), 02 Sep, 2010 @ 05:48pm

    Re: Re: What's the downside?

    Overstepping copyright and patent limits doesn't harm anyone? I sing barbershop quartet music. Right now, I have to figure out if someone's old arrangement of yet another older tune (with sometimes even older lyrics) is valid or not. I can guarantee that if I ask all three parties (or their relatives), they'll tell me that I owe them money even if I legally don't.

    Making that illegal with a real penalty would be a real disincentive to collecting royalties where none are due. Right now the disincentive is to the asker for asking -- it's tempting just to proceed without asking and hope you don't get caught (a situation which is not desired long term -- you do want to make sure those that make the art you love can get fairly rewarded).

    I really like this law in the patent system. I think it would do positive things for copyright. (But ultimately both need wholesale changes.)

    Robb

  • On the post: Maryland Judge Declares Pontiac G8 GT's Factory Taillights Illegal; Tells Car Owner To Get A Different Car [Updated: Or Maybe Not…]

    Robb Topolski ( profile ), 20 Jul, 2010 @ 08:00am

    Re: MIKE CHECK YOUR FACTS

    Mr. "Jackalope" deleted his original thread. It would be easier to research if the guy would make it easier. It would also be easier to research if we had more than one side to this story, but Jackalope is providing both sides.

    In his new thread, the modifications that he mentions are all changes from chrome to black. From that, one cannot conclude that he deserved the ticket. In fact, by covering the chrome and preventing a white reflection from being shown from the rear, it might be argued that his modification was more in spirit of the law than the original design.

    The right move is to appeal.

  • On the post: UK Shop Refuses To Make Prints Of Digital Photos Because They're 'Too Good' And Must Infringe

    Robb Topolski ( profile ), 06 Apr, 2010 @ 07:18am

    photoshops is two words, please

    Sorry to nit pick, but ...

  • On the post: Calling 911? That'll Be $300

    Robb Topolski ( profile ), 19 Feb, 2010 @ 02:28pm

    This is for medical services ...

    Just for clarification, this is for medical services:

    http://www.tracypress.com/view/full_story/6376328/article-Council-chooses-paramedic-fee-collector?instance=home_news_lead_story

  • On the post: Even The Recording Industry Is Criticizing ACS:Law/DigiProtect Pre-Settlement Letter Program

    Robb Topolski ( profile ), 01 Feb, 2010 @ 11:11am

    Huh? Do I have this right?

    So ACS is working without the blessing of the copyright holders? Is it "pay up or we'll try to convince the BPI to sue you?"

  • On the post: If School Officials Got Confused By Kid's Science Project, Why Does The Kid Need Counseling?

    Robb Topolski ( profile ), 19 Jan, 2010 @ 10:08am

    Looks like the kid actually invented...

    ...an idiot detector!

  • On the post: Could Wolverine's Leaking Have Helped It At The Box Office?

    Robb Topolski ( profile ), 04 Jan, 2010 @ 01:13pm

    I've pretty much stopped buying new DVDs...

    ...they clutter up the place and the prices are too high for something that I only watch once or twice.

    This weekend I rented "Up!" for $5 via On-Demand CATV. It was good for 72 hours. I've also sometimes bought a used DVD via Amazon. Either choice sure beats going out in 0-degree wind-chill and buying a DVD.

  • On the post: Artists To National Gallery Of Canada: 'Pay Us Again And Again And Again!'

    Robb Topolski ( profile ), 07 Dec, 2009 @ 09:10am

    Sheeesh...

    Pretty soon we'll be paying painters and sculptors like we pay musicians: they get money anytime someone looks at it.

  • On the post: How To Respond To Criticism

    Robb Topolski ( profile ), 04 Dec, 2009 @ 11:55am

    Wow...

    Dear Microchip,

    Thanks for being positively cool (as in relaxed, not freaked out, open and upfront). Your response was creative, thoughtful, and empathetic. Five stars!

  • On the post: Convicted German Murderer Wants His Conviction Erased From Wikipedia

    Robb Topolski ( profile ), 11 Nov, 2009 @ 07:50am

    Re: Let me get this straight?

    Sorry, hit the Enter key in the subject box.

    Did you say this was Wolfgang Werle and his half-brother Manfred Lauber? Those killers of Bavarian actor Walter Sedlmayr?

    Good to know.

  • On the post: Convicted German Murderer Wants His Conviction Erased From Wikipedia

    Robb Topolski ( profile ), 11 Nov, 2009 @ 07:49am

    Let me get this straight?

  • On the post: 60 Minutes Puts Forth Laughable, Factually Incorrect MPAA Propaganda On Movie Piracy

    Robb Topolski ( profile ), 02 Nov, 2009 @ 08:32am

    Video Shows that MPAA itself contributing to Piracy

    http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5485313n&tag=related;photovideo is a clip from that story. It shows this MPAA representative participating in a BitTorrent swarm as a demo to CBS. But he's not just downloading, he's uploading content as well. Note the graphic showing chunks flowing FROM the center to the red connected peers on the edge. That's uploading content TO the swarm.

    Nice.

  • On the post: Dean Singleton: Please Explain How Charging For Something Magically Gives It Value

    Robb Topolski ( profile ), 30 Sep, 2009 @ 08:56am

    Well, kinda it does ...

    Consumers have a weird relationship with "free."

    When my group started gigging, we found that "free" was terrible for marketing and gigging. To put it bluntly, when we did free gigs, we were treated like we were doing free gigs. When we charged as little as $50 ($12.50 for each four singers and the gas to get there), we had just as many gigs but they were better attended, the performance was better appreciated, and we were less jerked-around in our schedule.

    We weren't awesome, and we knew that. We felt bad for charging anything (and often donated it back if the gig was a non-profit and if it was appropriate). All we wanted was an audience. The idea to charge was a suggestion by another group who had realized the same frustrations, it worked for them. It worked for us. It was a lesson learned, and if I were gigging today, there would be a fee.

    Consumers like free, but they may not value it.

    I'm not sure any of this translates to newspapers, FWIW.

    Robb

Next >>