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EFF Sues Electric Slide Creator Over DMCA Threat

from the take-that dept

Mon, Mar 5th 2007 11:36am — Mike Masnick

Last month, we wrote about the bizarre story of a guy who claims he's the creator of the annoying line dance, The Electric Slide (a claim that is apparently very much in dispute) sending DMCA takedown notices to YouTube for people putting up videos of people doing the dance. Part of his complaint is that he doesn't get credit -- but the bigger complaint seems to be that people are doing the dance wrong, and still calling it The Electric Slide. Thankfully, the EFF has decided that this is a case too ridiculous to ignore. The group has stepped in and filed a lawsuit against the guy seeking protection for the person who uploaded the original video. The whole story just sounds so bizarre, it wouldn't be surprising to find out in the end that it's really all part of some elaborate PR stunt.

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18 Comments

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Jeff Foxworthy, 5 Mar 2007 @ 12:00pm

If you file a DMCA takedown notice for a line dance, you may be a redneck...
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- CoJeff, 5 Mar 2007 @ 12:17pm
  
  Re: redneck
  HAha. I would agree with that.
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Iron Chef, 5 Mar 2007 @ 12:23pm

May prove to create interesting case law
This could be interesting case law which may challenge copyright and patentability of ideas down the road...

Think about it- If you own an idea doesn't mean you own it when someone else does it... Or do you.?

With either side of the fence your on, this has the ability to really explode.
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Vincent Clement, 5 Mar 2007 @ 12:48pm

Can't outlaw stupidity, unfortunately
Exactly how is the DMCA helping innovation and making the US more competitive in the world market?
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Casper, 5 Mar 2007 @ 12:58pm

The DMCA is a joke, has been since it's spawning. This guy just wanted in on the joke, is that so wrong?
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Mr. MacPhisto, 5 Mar 2007 @ 1:03pm

I just patened the recepie for a Cesar Salad and posted it online.

I plan on sending cease-and-decist letters to restaraunts across the country next week.
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- IronManCurtis, 9 Mar 2007 @ 7:20am
  
  Re:
  ummmm..... shouldn't that be a .... Caesar-and-desist?
  
  -IronMan
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James, 5 Mar 2007 @ 1:07pm

Maybe..
..this will convince ppl to stop playing this rediculous song at parties. AWFUL.. if I have to hear it ONE MORE time from song guy who "thinks he's a dj".
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- Celes, 6 Mar 2007 @ 10:43am
  
  Re: Maybe..
  I don't mind it being played as long as it's on land. Ever been on a boat when the Electric Slide comes on? Now THAT'S something you just don't do. Even twenty or so above-average-sized people can make the crew really worried...
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gspot2016, 5 Mar 2007 @ 1:09pm

The electric slide is a horrible dance and it should be outlawed. People that do the dance are probably some lower form of life.
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- Anonymous Coward, 5 Mar 2007 @ 1:35pm
  
  Re:
  People that do the dance are probably some lower form of life
  
  In that, they share something in common with forum-trolls.
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  - gspot2016, 6 Mar 2007 @ 9:23am
    
    Re: Re: forum trolls
    I agree!!
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GoblinJuice, 5 Mar 2007 @ 2:25pm

Loser. Punk.
This guy is such a loooser. He even looks like a loooser. Not laughing and smiling anymore, punk.
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- AL Keylime, 6 Mar 2007 @ 5:43pm
  
  Re: Loser. Punk.
  So you're saying he's some guy that goes around untying people's shoelaces and such?
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Sanguine Dream, 5 Mar 2007 @ 3:43pm

What I want to know...
is who really invented that dance and who performed the song?
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Just Some Guy, 5 Mar 2007 @ 3:57pm

Unknown the original choreographer.
Performer is Marcia Griffith. I too hate the damn thing after being a wedding DJ for 2 years!
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TNP, 5 Mar 2007 @ 7:13pm

DIADI
Die In A Disco Inferno
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rasta, 5 Mar 2007 @ 8:00pm

Writer of Electric Slide
Bunny Wailer (Neville Livingston) wrote the song.
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