Joe Publius 's Techdirt Comments

Latest Comments (331)

• On the post: The Senators Who Say Merely Linking To Certain Sites Should Be A Felony

  

  Joe Publius ( profile ), 13 May, 2011 @ 01:01pm

  For the first time I understand that famous quote about the Generation Gap:
  
  "Don't trust anyone over 30."
  
  Being 32 myself I'd like to up the age floor to 45, but the reason is clear. Right now laws are being drafted to hobble a new and rapidly changing technology for IMO, no other reason than:
  
  1. The technology is disruptive to the past way of doing things, and they don't understand the disruption is just the growing pains of the technology's vast potential.
  
  2. They don't understand how the technology works at all.
  
  I can chalk it up to nothing more than the fear and resistance to change that comes with age and establishment. If we're all cynical (and possibly right) enough to think that media associations like the MPAA or RIAA are behind the bill, well, you don't get much older or more established than those guys.

• On the post: Off The Deep End: People Claiming That Supporting Creative Commons Is Being Anti-Creator

  

  Joe Publius ( profile ), 11 May, 2011 @ 12:48pm

  Re:

  Cue Dark Helmet in 3..2..1..
  
  Maybe he's in a meeting with Pres. Scroob.

• On the post: Homeland Security Doesn't Do Cost/Benefit Analysis; They Just Do Fear And Bluster

  

  Joe Publius ( profile ), 10 May, 2011 @ 10:06am

  Re: If it were only dollars at risk ...

  I can see your point, in the end what we need to reduce the impact of terrorism at home involve political solutions, not just dollars and cents.
  
  At the same time, every valid point needs to be brought to bear to point out the flaws in the current policy, and the economic argument is important. In the end there will be fringe elements for whom no appeal to reason will be sufficient, and that's who our government is proclaiming to protect us against. This protection is costing us vast amounts of money, without any consideration of whether the amount spent will truly save lives or prevent potential attacks. As others have mentioned, not only is this possibly wasteful, but it is also likely to be a part of the terrorist strategy.
  
  The DHS should take a moment to run the numbers on their actions, if for nothing else than the analysis requiring genuine thought into the effectiveness.

• On the post: BMI Says A Single Person Listening To His Own Music Via The Cloud Is A Public Performance

  

  Joe Publius ( profile ), 10 May, 2011 @ 09:24am

  Headphones are killing public performances!

• On the post: Court Slams FBI For Saying It's Okay For The Federal Government To Lie To A Court

  

  Joe Publius ( profile ), 06 May, 2011 @ 01:27pm

  Re: We were warned of this a LONG time ago:

  Oh, burn.
  
  I mean it, I think if some of these guys even laid a pinky on a holy book for some court proceding, they'd go up like the Hindenburg.

• On the post: Appeals Court Effectively Opens The Floodgates For People To Claim Hollywood 'Stole' Their Ideas

  

  Joe Publius ( profile ), 06 May, 2011 @ 12:55pm

  Re: Re: Re:

  So there's an upside to this? That the pitchers will stop pitching and start creating? Nowadays it's never been easier.

• On the post: Appeals Court Effectively Opens The Floodgates For People To Claim Hollywood 'Stole' Their Ideas

  

  Joe Publius ( profile ), 06 May, 2011 @ 12:54pm

  Re:

  I've been wondering about this idea too. I've been around this blog long enough to know that some of us kind of hope for an IP Blue Screen of Death moment. Some case ruling or new law that makes the current IP regime so disfunctional that reform becomes a necessity.
  
  I don't think that this ruling is the IPBSOD moment we're waiting for, but it certainly is a pretty wacky decision IMO, and it's relied on as a precedent, then I think that the ball is definitely picking up some speed down the hill.

• On the post: Court Slams FBI For Saying It's Okay For The Federal Government To Lie To A Court

  

  Joe Publius ( profile ), 06 May, 2011 @ 12:45pm

  Re: Consequences?

  Hear, hear!
  
  If all these jackals ever get is a stern talking to, then they have absolutely no incentive to stop. They'll just keep on lying to everyone and say it's for our "National Security", and expect us to be fine with the fact that they undermine our very Democracy, and as a result our nation each time they do it.

• On the post: WSJ Launches Wikileaks Competitor… But Says It Can Reveal Your Info To Law Enforcement

  

  Joe Publius ( profile ), 06 May, 2011 @ 07:39am

  Re: Now that is irony

  I guess using Safe House would make it a good time for someone to use all of that tradecraft they learned from working for these organizations.
  
  Tapping a honeypot through a false flag operation? Someone should should hold a seance and see if Robert Ludlum could write a story about it.

• On the post: Utah Legislators Want Extra Tax For Owners Of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles

  

  Joe Publius ( profile ), 04 May, 2011 @ 02:16pm

  Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

  Considering what commodities prices, and grocery prices in general, have been like the past couple of years, I'm sure they could find a market for their goods if they're not into charity.
  
  Heck I live in an Ag state, and I can't help but think that our farm subsidies are losing their use.

• On the post: Copyright Law Is Not Supposed To Protect Someone From Being Upset

  

  Joe Publius ( profile ), 03 May, 2011 @ 11:32am

  Re: Next step...

  Slow your roll there Josef.
  
  She has to patent her DNA and sue her sister!
  
  Let's keep our IP abuses accurate, for the sake of the artists!

• On the post: Mexican IP Official: Infringement Is A More Serious Problem Than Drug Trafficking

  

  Joe Publius ( profile ), 29 Apr, 2011 @ 12:40pm

  Re:

  My humours do become unbalanced whenever I hear her music. Perhaps a pipe of refreshing crack is in order?

• On the post: The Massive Treasure Trove Of Historic Jazz Recordings That Almost No One Has Heard… Thanks To Copyright

  

  Joe Publius ( profile ), 29 Apr, 2011 @ 10:15am

  Re: You bunch of thieves

  Yes! Think of all of those jazz artists who right now cannot collect the royalties or license fees on these works 70 some years later.
  
  Thank you Recording Industry Executive for being the sane voice in this bedlam of whiners complaining about trivialities like "culture".

• On the post: US On What Makes A Good Canadian Heritage Minister: Willing To Disappoint Canadians To Please Big Business

  

  Joe Publius ( profile ), 29 Apr, 2011 @ 10:11am

  As a person who believes in the power of competition, I as a US citizen give other nations the permission to tell our government to stuff it* whenever we make a demand that can be reasonably argued as serving our own commercial interests at the expense of your own culture** or commercial interests.
  
  *You may also specify to our government where to stuff it, which direction, and how often.
  
  **May be void if cutltural interests include random violence on unwilling participants, cannibalism, animal cruelty, and/or more episodes of DeGrassi.

• On the post: Mexican IP Official: Infringement Is A More Serious Problem Than Drug Trafficking

  

  Joe Publius ( profile ), 29 Apr, 2011 @ 09:51am

  Considering that Mexico seems to be a very loose confederation of Drug Cartels, I can see why protfitable drug exports to the US aren't seen as a problem.

• On the post: Match.com Plans To Ask Users If They're Sexual Predators

  

  Joe Publius ( profile ), 29 Apr, 2011 @ 08:02am

  Re: Re: Re: Yea, that's going to work

  Do you think I'd have to check the box since Sister Finnegan called me a "Holy Terror" in the 5th Grade?

• On the post: Match.com Plans To Ask Users If They're Sexual Predators

  

  Joe Publius ( profile ), 29 Apr, 2011 @ 07:54am

  Re: Re:

  Yes. Be prepared to lie your face off if you decide to sign up for Match.com.
  
  As a side, I just don't know how this dating thing could get so complicated. I mean I guess I don't see how dating from an online matchmaker is any less risky than any other public meeting between two relative strangers.
  
  Makes me glad I found the right lady early on.

• On the post: TSA Molests Miss USA, Makes Her Cry… For Your Safety

  

  Joe Publius ( profile ), 29 Apr, 2011 @ 07:30am

  Re: Re: Re:

  Holy cow, A FATAL reference?
  
  Can I apply for my Top Secret Umbra Clearance now? I happen to be the other guy geeky enough here to know exactly what you're talking about.

• On the post: Match.com Plans To Ask Users If They're Sexual Predators

  

  Joe Publius ( profile ), 29 Apr, 2011 @ 07:19am

  Look to your left, look to your right.
  
  At least one of you is single and a predator!

• On the post: Royal Family Bans Satirical Coverage Of The Big Wedding

  

  Joe Publius ( profile ), 29 Apr, 2011 @ 06:58am

  The footage of the wedding isn't necessary where coverage is invovled. I think of it a great template where some of the UK's sharpest male comics can squeeze themselves into a reasonable facsimile of that dress and put on a performance that will make everyone laugh.
  
  Never underestimate the great tradition of British drag.

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