Violynne 's Techdirt Comments

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  • On the post: For All The Talk From Hollywood About Making Sure People Get Paid, Why Doesn't It Pay Interns?

    Violynne ( profile ), 25 Oct, 2012 @ 11:09am

    Re:

    Hi Cary! Or is it Chris?

    Sorry. When you post under AC, it's really hard to tell you two apart.

  • On the post: Law Enforcement Looking To Create A Searchable Database Of Everywhere Your Vehicle Has Been

    Violynne ( profile ), 24 Oct, 2012 @ 07:42am

    I don't see what the big deal is. Anyone can do this, if they're inclined to build such a database. They're public, and anyone can tail me and track my vehicle and throw the information online.

    Linking a license plate to an individual is still locked up.

    This article seems a bit "FoxNewsy", in my opinion.

  • On the post: Mr. Bean: We Must Be Allowed To Insult Each Other

    Violynne ( profile ), 23 Oct, 2012 @ 11:10am

    Behind every law is a victim. Those who wrote the law fail to consider the abuse it will receive, creating more victims.

    Laws aren't design to protect. They're designed to punish those who carry no respect, common sense, or dignity to others.

  • On the post: Italian Scientists Convicted Of Manslaughter, Sentenced To 6 Years In Jail, Over Earthquake They Failed To Predict Properly

    Violynne ( profile ), 22 Oct, 2012 @ 12:06pm

    The appeals court should overturn this conviction, since the team also didn't predict this would happen to them.

  • On the post: Amazon Wipes Customer's Account, Locks All Ebooks, Says 'Find A New Retailer' When She Asks Why

    Violynne ( profile ), 22 Oct, 2012 @ 10:31am

    I feel for this girl. While I didn't have an issue with Amazon, the same approach was given to me by Equifax, who closed my account because *my name* matched another and we (get ready for this) lived in the same state.

    Trying to deal with these companies is pointless. Amazon "wins" because it's just one customer.

    In time, they'll have no one else to do this to because they'll have rejected everyone from their services.

    You just wait, as soon as people start writing reviews less than 1 star, they, too, will be kicked out of Amazon.

  • On the post: Liability For Users May Be Worldwide Russian Roulette For Online Services

    Violynne ( profile ), 18 Oct, 2012 @ 03:37am

    Why so serious?

    Has TD forgotten about our wonderful DoJ, who has the power to take down servers all over the world? Please be patient. This matter will resolve itself soon.

  • On the post: Why It's Almost Impossible To Get Punished For A Bogus DMCA Takedown

    Violynne ( profile ), 17 Oct, 2012 @ 02:01pm

    Re: Re:

    The thing is: this isn't the first situation like this, and it's definitely not enough to inspire others to get the ball rolling.

    Litigation costs money, and businesses, though proud someone's fighting, aren't going to risk what little money they have on the hopes their outcome will be similar.

    We've seen all too well judges, and juries, don't share the same attitude in cases like this.

    Right, Milton?

  • On the post: Cracked Lists Examples Of Bad Copyright… Without A Single Actual Example Of Copyright

    Violynne ( profile ), 17 Oct, 2012 @ 12:13pm

    Re: Re: Re: Not in the constitution?

    Here's the actual text from the Constitution itself:
    "To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries."

    Please show me any word that's spelled "copyright" or "patent" in the above.

    Congress can create an entirely new law, call it "Screw the Public", and enact even stricter laws and remove copyright and patents altogether.

    That's their power, granted by a document well past due of an update.

  • On the post: Why It's Almost Impossible To Get Punished For A Bogus DMCA Takedown

    Violynne ( profile ), 17 Oct, 2012 @ 12:06pm

    Lady Justice may be blind, but she, too, can hear the sound of coins dropping on her plate to slowly shift the Scales of Justice to the side who fillers her coffers the best.

    Sorry, Mike: you won't be proven wrong. Even if UMG wins, the payout is so insignificant, those who abuse the system will still do it.

    It's no different than those who receive them: pay out or fight it, and the cheaper alternative will generally win.

    Principle? That's just another word for foolish.

    Until everyone fights back, one case doesn't change a thing.

  • On the post: Amanda Palmer Unleashes The Voice Of The People About Health Insurance Via Twitter

    Violynne ( profile ), 17 Oct, 2012 @ 07:01am

    Re: Re:

    Late to the party, but my question to you is: HOW IN THE HELL COULD YOU MISS THE NEWS?

    There was an outcry when the bill was passed into law regarding this, and when SCOTUS rules *IN FAVOR* of the punishment without healthcare, the country again started object.

    In 2014, you will see a change in your tax paperwork, as you will be required by law to provide your health care information.

    ON YOUR TAX FORM.

    And if you don't fill it in, you get slapped with a fine.

    Seriously, maybe you SHOULD watch Fox News, even if I wouldn't watch this pile of shit "news" station if it were the last one on earth.

  • On the post: Why The Theory Of 'Tarnishment' Doesn't Make Sense For Trademark Law

    Violynne ( profile ), 17 Oct, 2012 @ 03:42am

    Re: Response to: Anonymous Coward on Oct 16th, 2012 @ 8:22pm

    Good point, but there's something to consider: What if the knock-off brand is better than the original?

    There are a great number of studies which measure a consumer's vote of confidence when it comes to price, value, and quality.

    I may often quip "consumers are stupid" as they spend money for things while complaining about the companies that serve them, but the truth of the matter is consumers are not stupid.

    They're frugal, because they're well adept at knowing an Armani suit will take half their paycheck while a knock-off will cost less but still look good.

    I understand B&J's position: despite the consumer's ability to know the difference between the products, there's no disputing consumers will go "Hey, that looks like a B&J ice cream container!", which is something the company most like doesn't want consumers doing.

    Not for confusion, but (dare I say it?) respect for the brand.

    I love TD, but often times, I feel there are conflicting pieces of advice being thrown out. Branding, to a business, is extremely important. When the brand starts to get "parodied" outside of its expected customer line, harm isn't the issue.

    It waters down the brand, and the little tidbit that many people forget is once a brand (trademark) is watered down, it can no longer be called a trademark.

    Just ask Coca-cola, who can no longer trademark "coke" because it's now a common word to describe a carbonated drink.

  • On the post: Dancing Baby Video Fight Heads Back To Court: Will A Bogus Takedown Finally Get Punished?

    Violynne ( profile ), 16 Oct, 2012 @ 12:01pm

    *puts an envelope to the forehead and replies "Here's what's going to happen."

    *rips open envelope and reads content.

    UMG will "lose" the case, and be awarded the maximum damage of $1500, per US law. UMG will cut a check to the plaintiff by taking it away from several artists, who'll never know because the charge will be filed under "Marketing".

    With these companies, you're unimportant if you don't look like a dollar bill.

  • On the post: Reddit, Trolling, Doxxing, Free Speech & Anonymity: Whoo Boy, Is This Stuff Complicated

    Violynne ( profile ), 16 Oct, 2012 @ 03:42am

    Re: Most important quote

    I think the statement "Free speech does not mean you are free from the consequences of your speech." is the most important part. Many people take Free Speech to mean that there should be no consequences when you say something--and we all know that's not true.
    Therein lies the double-edged sword. I find it appalling and disturbing people call it "free speech" then turn and say "I'll punish you if you say something *I* don't like".

    If the issues in the Middle East concerning a movie isn't a wake-up call, it should be. Look how many people, the "society", are upset over someone's opinion.

    Yes, it's one of those situations which now puts the filmmakers under *death threats* because the "majority" feels the film is offensive.

    That's like me making the statement "God can suck my dick". You can bet the majority will bash their heads in a rush to attack me (physically and verbally) because their pathetic little minds felt insulted.

    That's *my* right to say what I want, hence free. Yeah, it's insensitive, but I can say to someone their dress is ugly and get the near same reaction.

    People have a fickle definition of "free speech": "It's fine, as long as it doesn't insult me."

    Having served in the US Navy, my position has always been "I may hate what you say but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."

    It's amazing how attitudes make a difference in this regard. I'm ignoring, of course, the fact free speech is really the restriction imposed on our government, but even then, we can clearly see them taking down websites because they're prodded by what *others* don't like seeing.

    It's disturbing when I see people say there will be consequences while claiming something is "free".

    But it's pointless to get upset. One day, these same people will say something and wonder why they're being punished because a *new* regime has determined "free speech" can be even further restricted, now that "subreddit"-like issues have been vanquished or filmmakers have been murdered.

  • On the post: Amanda Palmer Unleashes The Voice Of The People About Health Insurance Via Twitter

    Violynne ( profile ), 15 Oct, 2012 @ 11:43am

    Don't worry, Amanda! Thanks to the new healthcare reform bill, if you don't have insurance, you get punished!

    So those musicians, and everyone else out there, best get your ass working under the 1% so you, too, can "afford" the mandatory health insurance.

    Welcome to the US of FU.

  • On the post: The Dark Patent Troll Rises: Now 40% Of All Patent Litigation

    Violynne ( profile ), 15 Oct, 2012 @ 10:44am

    But it is promoting the progress. Look at all those court employees who are now working countless hours filing all these cases. Look at all those lawyers chuckling under their breath as they count those billable hours. Look at all those employees hired by companies to fend off these patent trolls.

    All these jobs indicates there's a promotion in progress.

    Sadly, the Constitution doesn't say what area was to receive the benefits of the promotion.

    *** THIS ENDS THE POST OF SARCASM. TROLLS MAY RELISH IN THE ACCURACY OF THE POST'S CONTENTS. DO NOT PUNCH, PUNCTURE, OR FOLD THIS MESSAGE. ***

  • On the post: PETA Vs. Pokemon

    Violynne ( profile ), 10 Oct, 2012 @ 10:42am

    PETA: Pretending Every Thing is an Animal.

    Comically, PETA must support Team Rocket, considering they treat people worse than they do Pokemon.

    Hey! There we go! From now on, PETA is now TEAM ROCKET!

    Shazaam!

  • On the post: Xbox DRM Punishes More Paying Customers And Actually Restricts Purchasing Options

    Violynne ( profile ), 10 Oct, 2012 @ 08:35am

    I see the problem.

    There are people who still think of the XBox 360 as a gaming machine.

    Apparently, they've not updated their console in a while.

    Calling the Xbox 360 a gaming console is like calling a Yugo a car.

    I've owned this console for just a hair over a year (happy anniversary!), and I can already promise Microsoft there will not be a "720" in my future.

    Between the apps I don't want, the constant ads shoved in my face, and a Live feature I have to pay for, the system makes damn sure to remind me daily "gaming" is secondary to over-priced content that one can "own" (read: access until it goes away).

    Now with the first sale doctrine in their cross-hairs, going back to coloring books and crayons may be the best idea I've read in this thread.

    That is, until it become mainstream and the [bleeps] kill it, too.

  • On the post: Sony Sues Actor For Trademark Infringement For Looking Too Much Like Himself In Another Commercial

    Violynne ( profile ), 10 Oct, 2012 @ 03:42am

    If I were the actor, I'd really take this threat seriously. Sony is world renowned for giving, then taking away.

    If he wants to remain a male, settle, or "Other OS" may be stripped as a result.

    Sarcasm aside, what the hell is wrong with this company?

    If Sony's trying to win me back as a customer, they're fucking up so badly, I'm cursing in my post!

  • On the post: German Gov't Inadvertently Reveals Police Monitor Gmail, Skype, Facebook & Use Snooping Malware

    Violynne ( profile ), 10 Oct, 2012 @ 03:33am

    I'm sure Germany will find a way to sue Google over this.

  • On the post: Chris Dodd: Hollywood's Most Predictable Dissembler

    Violynne ( profile ), 03 Oct, 2012 @ 10:42am

    Re: Dodds is doing what he's paid to do.

    I would back this statement up, but it's wrong. The MPAA was formed because the government had a problem with studios also owning movie theaters, and price gouging ticket prices. In addition, an independent regulatory organization was needed to rate movies, so the public's aware of what it was viewing.

    Over time, the MPAA went from being an independent organization to one solely in support of one side. It's purpose was to representative of public interest, and as the article notes, they now view the public as a problem.

    Valenti started this trend, and it seems to be an expectation of every employee hired by the MPAA.

    When an organization has millions to buy off our politicians, oh, I'm sorry, contribute to campaign coffers, they're no longer a party of two sides.

    Oh, and let's not forget about Dodd's comment when SOPA failed, and how they'll be sure to leverage their "campaign dollars" in the future.

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