Shareholder Astroturfing: Latest Tactic In Net Neutrality Debate

from the the-next-pointless-battle dept

Wed, Jul 26th 2006 12:37pm — Mike Masnick

We've spent way too much time on how both sides of the net neutrality debate have used astroturfing and other dishonest (or simply ridiculous) tactics to push their own side forward. However, it seems that every time you think you've seen it all, one side sinks even lower. The latest can best be described as "shareholder astroturfing." A mutual fund that owns a tiny bit of Microsoft stock is trying to use that to force the company to issue a report explaining its stand on net neutrality -- which, of course, the mutual fund claims is "expanded government regulation for the internet." Microsoft is asking the SEC if it can ignore the demand, as it really has nothing to do with Microsoft explaining its position, but is really just a PR stunt by anti-net neutrality supporters.

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13 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 26 Jul 2006 @ 12:50pm

Would it matter?
Microsoft's word (pun) couldnt be taken seriously here.. could it?

Sigh, well, I suppose it could be taken seriously by the underinformed...
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Anonymous Coward, 26 Jul 2006 @ 12:51pm

SIX HUNDRED AND THIRTY SEVENTH POST
637th!!!!!

(yeah, just as stupid as first post, isn't it?)

(especially when its neither)
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Anonymous Coward, 26 Jul 2006 @ 1:04pm

Re: SIX HUNDRED AND THIRTY SEVENTH POST
638! :-)
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Tubador Ted Stevens, 26 Jul 2006 @ 1:31pm

Net Neutrality
Well, if Microsoft can help me unclog the tubes so I can get my internets on time, I'll listen to them.
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Insaniac, 26 Jul 2006 @ 1:43pm

Re: Net Neutrality
That was quite possibly the funniest statement i've seen so far about net neutrality. Well done.
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out post 371, 26 Jul 2006 @ 2:06pm

Re: Net Neutrality
I can see Microsoft's new slogon for vista..... Microsoft Windows Vista the Roto-Rooter for your internets.
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Oldbear, 26 Jul 2006 @ 2:14pm

Re: Net Neutrality
LOL. Yes, maybe some senator-based draino for the "inter-web" would help
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Anonymous Coward, 26 Jul 2006 @ 2:31pm

Its important you know that the internet is not a dump truck.
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Anonymous, 26 Jul 2006 @ 3:03pm

Best article
Probably the best article I have read on Net Neutrality can be found here.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/07/17/net_neut_slow_death/
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Franssu, 26 Jul 2006 @ 3:05pm

Microsoft could listen to these shareholders... and issue a report explaining that they support net neutrality.
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Verizon watchdog, 26 Jul 2006 @ 7:07pm

Check their business partners
The answer to the microshareholder group is quite obvious: Verizon and Microsoft are partners. Check Verizon's DSL offer. Oh, of course there is also the bundle with Yahoo! - which just happens to be a Microsoft partner. Net neutrality is not possible with such partners, and those are the "partners" customers have to deal with in many region of the country if they want DSL.
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Sohrab, 27 Jul 2006 @ 12:32am

well Microsoft can create a new program that pushes the race horse through the tubes that are clogged
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n00b, 27 Jul 2006 @ 9:40am

What are you afraid of, Mike?
Sounds like TechDirt and Microsoft are afraid to actually show a sound, studied rationale for supporting "Net Neutrality." Why bother when you can live off of pathetic emotional claims like "Tollbooth on teh interwebs!" or "Craigslist will be blocked!"

It's so funny to hear you whine about this. "Now I've seen it all." Yes, heaven forbid a company actually be forced to explain its reasoning to its investors. If there's such good reasoning behind it -- as opposed to just being a selfish move by megacorps like Microsoft and Google -- then let's see it. Step into the real world, stupid ninja videos on youtube.com just aren't gonna cut it.
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