Magnet Madness: Legal Threats, DMCA Takedowns & Goofy Videos & Photos -- But No Actual Lawsuits
from the magnet-fight dept
For a while now, people have been submitting versions of this video made by a guy from Zen Magnets, in which he both reveals a voicemail he received from Jake Bronstein, the owner of competing firm Buckyballs, and then proceeds to compare the two products. Apparently, it all started when Zen Magnets decided to sell a package of both its own magnets and Buckyballs' competing product, in order to let people compare directly. Bronstein didn't like the public claims that Zen Magnets were better, so he left an angry ranting voicemail, demanding they show official testing results by the end of the day or he would get an "army of lawyers" after Zen Magnets:Now, Bronstein appears to be admitting that he sent the takedown notice, because the video includes a few photos of him (ever so briefly). That seems like a pretty clear abuse of the DMCA takedown process, as it would be difficult to argue that the use of those photos was not fair use. Of course, at the same time, Bronstein also admits that his voicemail "was off the Douche-o-meter" and sent Gizmodo a photo of him holding a trophy for the "Douchiest Voicemail of the Year."
Of course, I'd argue that the bogus DMCA takedown was even worse than the voicemail, but none of this fight does Buckyballs any favors whatsoever. In their anger at being compared to Zen Magnets, the company has come off as petty, vindictive, willing to make questionable use of the law to silence criticism... and, at the same time, called a lot more attention to all of that. Perhaps if they'd just let the original eBay sales go through without comment, things wouldn't be so bad. And, after all, if they really believe that their own magnets are better than Zen Magnets', then, um, wouldn't they be happy that Zen Magnets was out selling their products for them?
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Filed Under: dmca, legal threats, magnets
Companies: buckyballs, zen magnets
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http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/copyright-of-a-voice-message-left-by-someone-else--342958.ht ml
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This was really a hoot..
Simpson's writers, take note.
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I
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streisand strikes again
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Re: streisand strikes again
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Really?
I cant beleive that there wasn't a fit thrown about his phone (or possibly google voice) number and verbally shared email address being shared instead a pitch about his picture or images being shown.
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"Warnings:
» Try not to drop them. Ever play with magnets in sand? Ferric dirt particles are hard to get off super-magnets, and will quickly erode the poles.
» Zen Magnets can destroy or disrupt magnetically sensitive technology. Be cautious with the ends of open chains.
» Can cause serious problems if swallowed. Do not give to kids under the age of 12, and keep them away from pets. Call poison control if more than 1 magnet is swallowed."
i really want to make an open chain and wander about the neighborhood to see what will happen.
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Re: Really?
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Striesand Reverse Marketing FTW!
Well it looks like the Zenballs will be the place to go.
I salute them for putting their product out there in a comparison video for everyone to make their own judgement over (and note the measurement methods strongly support any interested geek or norm to repeat the tests at bugger all cost). Kinda like open source that way.
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Re: Striesand Reverse Marketing FTW!
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effective marketing
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A while ago ...
Also my first thought on seeing the video ... I HAVE THAT SHIRT!
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The cost of being a douchebag...
(Actually, the Zen Magnets guy seemed kind of douche-y too, but the lesser of two douchebags award goes to the one that fights with juvenile humor and science instead of the one who uses bogus DMCA takedowns and legal threats.)
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Re: The cost of being a douchebag...
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Re: Re: The cost of being a douchebag...
Zen just made a sale, as soon as I find them in stock.
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The REAL story...
...oh yeah, and it's also all a plot to allow the government to read your thoughts.
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