Funniest/Most Insightful Comments Of The Week At Techdirt

from the judge-harvey-edition dept

Sun, Jul 22nd 2012 12:00pm — Mike Masnick

The two comments voted "most insightful" this week both come from the same post, wondering why New Zealand judge David Harvey stepped down from the Megaupload case for expressing a reasonable position (that the US was pressuring New Zealand on a totally different copyright issue, and that the US's position was not a good one), while judges who expressed strongly pro-copyright views were still able to hear related cases. The top voted comment came from That Anonymous Coward who noted how this was representative of the high court/low court double standard system we've discussed in the past:

I think he saw the writing on the wall. They would use these statements out of context, like they did, and try to declare that he was biased.
Rather than hand them the ability to make doubt appear, he stepped up and did the "right" thing.

When you're biased in favor of the cartels, it's not a conflict.
When you're in favor of the law, not the cartels, making the decisions it will be a huge conflict.

This is more evidence of the high court, low court methodology sweeping the globe. There are special rules for cartel members, because the world would come screeching to a halt without the next beiber single.
This is the result of money corrupting the government and bleeding into the judicial system, they are demanding huge penalties from regular people but when a cartel member lies on a legal document... oh well no harm no foul.

The second comment from an Anonymous Coward (rather than "The Anonymous Coward") and expressed the reason why Judge Harvey stepped down and the others didn't quite succinctly:

It's very simple. The ones that step down are the honest ones.

Believe it or not, a bunch of the other comments on that same article were really good and got a lot of votes as well, so for this week's editors choices, I'll pick two more from the same thread. First up, jupiterkansas making a point not really related to Judge Harvey, but rather the actual target of his ire: silly region locks on DVDs.

Region locks are not copy protection. They are piracy inducers.

They are a private industry's feeble attempt to control a world market, and should have no legal standing at all, period, anywhere in the world.

And, then we've got DannyB's rant that highlights how ridiculous things are driven by copyright maximalists:

I think the climate is changing. The vast excesses of the IP maximalists are beginning to be recognized worldwide.

A mechanic can't play the radio in his garage because public performance.

A collection society threatens lawsuit unless you pay extortion fee -- even though you don't play any music represented by that collection society.

Music and movies that are wildly successful yet strangely never profitable.

Music licensing for radio is at one rate. Music licensing for internet radio is designed to destroy internet radio. Then there is satellite radio.

You can't buy a DVD across the border and bring it home and watch YOUR disk in YOUR player. Or on YOUR computer if it runs a Free operating system.

Can't have DVD jukeboxes because that would bring the convenience of on-demand right into your home. Copyright law requires some special kind of free for the convenience of on-demand. In fact it requires a special fee for anything new, useful or just plain desirable.

The maximalists still, in the 21st century, believe that copying your own music CD's to your own mp3 player is or should be a crime punishable by ruining your life and future. It's that convenience thing again. A solid state player that is tiny is something that copyright law requires you pay an extra fee for -- if you can get it at all. After all, copyright requires carving up music into a hundred different "rights" like a special "solid state device mechanical performance" right or something.

The music and movie industry need absolute control of the internet. They must be able to shut down anything at will. No due process. No recourse. All expenses to be paid by ISPs. And they assure us this would never be abused. (Didn't we hear that when the DMCA was being negotiated?)

These people are against any concept of fair use. No such thing as fair use. The only use is paid use -- and that is per pair of ears listening.

The maximalists cannot determine whether something online is infringing or not, yet expect Google to be able to do so. (Example: copyright owner taking down their own promotional videos or their own artists' music.)

The internet enables mass communication about whatever anyone wants to talk about, what interests people. This is in a way that one-to-many broadcast media owned by concentrated wealth could never enable. That is why the world is waking up to the excesses of IP.

The sooner IP is dead the better.

Then I could get started on the patent system. Or twisted concepts of what trademark is thought to mean instead of simply protecting consumers from fraud.

For the funny, we leave Judge Harvey, and move over to the Olympics. Yes, comments on Olympics stories (there were a few this week) dominated the funny list. Coming in first was Tunnen, commenting on the fact that the Olympics couldn't hire enough actual security agents, but has a special brand police scanning London for any non-sponsor products that might, possibly be seen by anyone:

This bombing was brought to you by al-Qaeda, the official terrorist of 2012 Olympic Games... =P

Coming in second, was Vidiot's comment on the story of the Olympics forcing a restaurant called Olympic Gyro -- which had been called that for three decades -- to changes its name. Vidiot responded to someone asking "where are Zeus and his lightening bolts when you need them," to which Vidiot explained the answer:

He's still up on Mount [REDACTED].

For editor's choice, DannyB gets a second nod, this time in response to the couple arrested for dancing on a NYC subway platform. DannyB wondered about the IP issues:

Did the couple have authorization and license to be performing the specific dance they were doing?

Were they licensed to be listening to the music they were hearing?

Perhaps the particular style of dance was a trademark of some other famous dancer, and this was infringement?

Think of the children! Kids present might have seen the couple dancing and might bet ideas -- like that life can be enjoyed by them and their comrades, er, um... I meant citizens.

And, finally, an Anonymous Coward, responding to the news in the UK that Apple had to put a note on its website admitting that Samsung hadn't copied the iPad with its own tablet, the Galaxy Tab. This AC noted how this might lead to innovation:

I believe this ruling may lead Apple to invent the smallest legible font known to mankind.

I'm sure there's a series of top secret teams hard at work on different parts of it as we speak...

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Anonymous Trollward, 22 Jul 2012 @ 2:10pm

Herp derp pirate mike derpy derp freetards

WHARRGARBLE
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That Anonymous Coward (profile), 22 Jul 2012 @ 2:15pm

Re:
You left off this weeks watch word of Yellow Journalism.

4/10 you need to read the talking points memo more often.
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Anonymous Coward, 22 Jul 2012 @ 2:31pm

Re: Re:
Werp yerp yellow journalism yerpy yerp Mike's thugs slerp freedom to have a monoply

Doonginsu

Better?
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Anonymous Coward, 22 Jul 2012 @ 2:31pm

Re:
You definately need some skill-refinement. Nothing to point to the article is bad trolling and keeping it too simple and incomprehensible also points downward. I would give you a below average trolling score on this one in the hope that you can refine this traditional skill.
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Anonymous Coward, 22 Jul 2012 @ 5:32pm

Re: Re:
I'd say it's not his fault. What passes for good trolling amongst the IP maximist trolls here usually never points to the article except for claiming Masnick is a pirate.
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Anonymous Coward, 22 Jul 2012 @ 5:36pm

You Americans are too funny, that gunmen shoots up the theater and kills dozens of people, and the news guy on CNN and FOX keeps talking about how this will ruin the movies profit margins.
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Anonymous Coward, 22 Jul 2012 @ 6:00pm

Re:
Isn't that more of a news network problem and not a general american thing?

I know that I don't think either of them are all that great.

/American
//Live in the bible thumpin' part
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Anonymous Trollward, 22 Jul 2012 @ 6:26pm

Re: Re: Re:
Yeah, the only inspiration I had where all ad hom and usually irrelevant to the article and asking "why won't you debate me on my namecalling contentless posts? cause you're scardy chickenfaggot LOL"
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Anymous Trollward, 22 Jul 2012 @ 6:34pm

Re: Re: Re:
Oh yeah? why won't you ever debaate my off topic contentless nme calling posts? I'll bet it's because you're a scardyh chickenfaggot!

Gonna just post more ninja apologist articles while ignoring my arguerment that's you're mentaally retarded rimjob lover because you cna't dispute the facts.
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You pathetic excuse of a human being, 22 Jul 2012 @ 7:30pm

Re: Re: Re: Re:
Haven't you ever realized trolling or in your case spamming doesn't make people look forward to discuss with you? ( unless to troll YOU, then many people will reply) I don't reply to every viagara spam or any other spam I receive,do you?

((sadly Iam replying to your spam,which is ironic, I agree)
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charliebrown (profile), 22 Jul 2012 @ 7:55pm

Proof That Region Locks Are Stupid
Seriously, I have a BluRay player. It plays CD, DVD, BluRay, MP3, MP4, MKV, XviD. So I can download the latest episodes of a TV show from the internet and chances are my player will play it. But it only plays Region 4 DVD's, thus wiping out the use of about half mmy DVD collection purchased from Ammazon from Region 1 and Region 2.

Yes, you read that right: It will play almost any "Pirate" format out there but stick in a non-Region 4 disc and it won't play them. Huh?
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Wally (profile), 22 Jul 2012 @ 8:15pm

Re: Re: Re: Re:
Now, I love Europeons. They come in to see our nation, allow us to take pictures of their families for them when they tour here. But you sir are what is known in the US as Euro-trash. You're the type who will laugh at any tragity that occurs here. You have no place in your own society and do not deserve an opinion of that kind. Our major national news agencies do not reflect our attitudes. You fail to forget that if you mess with one American's emotions in that way, you mess with us all. We come back in force.

You are a troll. A type 3 troll. You don't care as long as you get a response. You must lead a really desoerate life to the point where even a whore would not want your company. Oh and on the whore bit, this includes your own mother inbred Eurotrash named Anonymous Trollward.
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Anonymous Coward, 22 Jul 2012 @ 8:20pm

"The internet enables mass communication about whatever anyone wants to talk about, what interests people. This is in a way that one-to-many broadcast media owned by concentrated wealth could never enable. That is why the world is waking up to the excesses of IP."

Actually, people discovered that, under the cover of an unruly mob, that they can get away with things that they would never, ever do without that cover. They would never go into a Wal-Mart and steal and DVD (or for that matter, brazenly whip out their laptop, open the package, and rip the DVD to their hard drive), because they know it's "wrong". Yet, under the cover of the internet, they will do it.

People aren't waking up the excesses of IP - they are waking up to realizing that the social pressures of not breaking the law, of not taking from others doesn't really exist on the internet, and in fact you are encouraged to do it. So many business models are built on it.
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Wally, 22 Jul 2012 @ 8:25pm

Re: Re:
Trust me, I'm an American, it's the national level news agencies who are fucked up. Anything beyond Affiliated...regional by sections of state (ie Centeal Ohio) is generally politically biased. Since Hollywood is practically lining the pockets of the poloititions at The White House and at the Federal level, that political bias spreads through the media.

That being said, I'm very heartbroken about the tragedy that has occurred in Colorado. Most Americans really are are. We aren't silly for feeling remorse or our hearts going out to the victim's families. Our news agencies are very fucked up at a National level, they don't reflect or represent us in any way.
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Wally (profile), 22 Jul 2012 @ 8:46pm

Re: Re:
Hi Anonymous Trollward. Glad to see you turned around. But I wonder since you're a type 3 troll, if you'll ever change....I have my doubts.
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Anonymous Coward, 22 Jul 2012 @ 8:53pm

Re:
Nice attempt to completely avoid talking about the points that DannyB brought up. Do you get paid for this, or do you get the hose again if you don't put the lotion on your skin?
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Wally (profile), 22 Jul 2012 @ 8:55pm

Re:
I would reframe that to "Silly Anerican news agencies" actually, we Anericans are actully quite upset. It also depends on the situation. Hollywood is loosing lots of money because of it and are complaining about it to the news agencies. It shows how much the MPAA actually cares about its fans.
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techflaws (profile), 22 Jul 2012 @ 10:53pm

Re:
They would never go into a Wal-Mart and steal and DVD

Right, because there is no theft in the real world anywhere.
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Anonymous Coward, 22 Jul 2012 @ 11:21pm

Re:
Are you upset because people discovered freedom?
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Anonymous Coward, 22 Jul 2012 @ 11:29pm

Re:
I would download a car.
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Anonymous Coward, 23 Jul 2012 @ 12:08am

Re:
They would never go into a Wal-Mart and steal and DVD (or for that matter, brazenly whip out their laptop, open the package, and rip the DVD to their hard drive), because they know it's "wrong".

I don't know about "they" but I would copy every single piece of crap inside Wal-Mart if I could, and I do it in front of everyone too.

Why try to steal when you can copy it.

Now there are some crazy people out there that want to charge others because somebody copy the idea of putting peanut butter on a slice of bread, how dare someone stole the idea from the original creator of his rightful earnings by copying it.

LoL
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drew (profile), 23 Jul 2012 @ 12:09am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Umm, think you guys might have mistaken the satire-troll (should that be satyr-troll if we're going down that route?) for the real one.
Which does give him some extra bonus points...
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drew (profile), 23 Jul 2012 @ 12:19am

Re:
I'm wondering what arguments you're going to start making once 3D printers start becoming more widespread? The world is changing, for a law to be respected it must change with the rest of the world.
Unfortunately IP law, and copyright in particular, is being forced in the opposite direction and hence is losing its relevance and its respect.
This situation is entirely of the content industries' making, no-one is forcing them have to behave like this.
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Anonymous Coward, 23 Jul 2012 @ 1:52am

Legislative capture is such a nice thing.

http://www.treehugger.com/environmental-policy/how-produce-industry-bigwigs-are-putting-sc hool-children-risk-plea-michelle-obama.html

Anonymous did it again.
http://www.treehugger.com/environmental-policy/big-oil-hacked-anonymous-over-arctic-drilling .html

Here an interesting question, does programming a machine make it new in the eyes of the law?
http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20120719130253497

Apparently, some patent attorneys claim it does, that means they could be in for a surprise, since to dodge claims of infringement one only needs to reprogram a machine and voila no more patent infringement.

How much does NPE(aka patent trolls) cost?
http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20120712151437524

RIAAtarded should take a look at what some crazy folks are telling others to do.
http://www.storyofstuff.org/movies-all/story-of-change/

Apparently buying stuff is not a long term solution for them and they are asking people to stop buying crap and starting doing something about it, which means less sales, shifting the paradigm. Would it work? Don't know, what I do know is that money and shopping can be replaced for sure, the important part of it all is "work" and "raw material resources".
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Anonymous Coward, 23 Jul 2012 @ 2:37am

The MAFIAAtards must be longing for that Arab called Dick Fuckup Chenney.

That was a man who knew how to take it and make others submit under the pressure of his foot.
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Anonymous Coward, 23 Jul 2012 @ 2:43am

Re: Re:
I don't have an issue with 3D printers, but I would sure have an issue if it was used to duplicate someone else's work.

You are confusing technology with the act. It's like blaming a gun for a shooting. It's not the gun, it's the actions of the operator.

You need to focus on that. Ignore the technology part, and pay attention to the right and wrong in more general terms.
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Prisoner 201, 23 Jul 2012 @ 2:55am

Re: Re: Re:
Right and wrong are subjective concepts established by consensus.

Copying is obviously right for a lot of people, probably even the majority.

The consensus is changing, so it is natural that the laws will too.

You can choose to fight this, but you will inevitably lose and only cause damage to everyone in the process.
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ebilrawkscientist (profile), 23 Jul 2012 @ 3:09am

RE: Smallest Font...
"I believe this ruling may lead Apple to invent the smallest legible font known to mankind." - Anonymous Coward

I don't think they're using tiny fonts exactly; Every 'period mark' that follows each sentence in their doccuments is in itself a microdot encoded with their legalese on everything from copyrights to patents, including their weasle words and escape clauses.
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Anonymous Coward, 23 Jul 2012 @ 3:15am

Re: Re: Re:
Funnily enough the people who sued Kazaa, Napster, Limewire and Winny had absolutely no issues with blaming the technology.

Also your post completely smells like "If not for the Internet none of this would have happened!" Are you not blaming the Internet?
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Anonymous Coward With A Unique Writing Style, 23 Jul 2012 @ 4:27am

Re:
You want to know what's really sad. I've seen your comment before. Literally word for word. You don't even have the nerve to come up with something new or original. You have to literally copy/paste your own worn out arguments.

Also, stealing a physical item from a store is not the same as copying digital 1s and 0s. The point has been explained to you more than a few times I'm sure.

Also, in no way is anyone encouraged to copy stuff online. Lol. That's the biggest lie in your entire comment.
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That Anonymous Coward (profile), 23 Jul 2012 @ 4:35am

Re: Proof That Region Locks Are Stupid
if I was a bad consumer I would point out that creating a system for each region is expensive, so there are often magic codes that can be entered into devices to make them region free. This way they only have to develop 1 set of hardware and software and maximize profits.
Which is also what lead to regions, they claimed it was so they could offer content at prices "correct" for each region and keep people from "stealing" cheaper priced media meant for a different region... but then that only works if you imagine the world as divided little areas that don't interact with each other...
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That Anonymous Coward (profile), 23 Jul 2012 @ 4:44am

Re: Re: Re:
So if a company uses a crap part in their machine, and wants to charge you $50 for a replacement plastic gear it is totally wrong to print your own replacement piece.

If someone has a patent on a cover for a phone, and you create your own and print it then you have an issue with it.

Speaking of right and wrong, it is wrong to steal culture from people who gave the holder exclusive rights for a limited period... only to have that limited period extended over and over locking culture away to try and "protect" potential earnings they can only imagine might happen. This takes a toll on society... Jersey Shore is now considered culture. We need our culture back, NOW.
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Anonymous Coward, 23 Jul 2012 @ 4:47am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
I don't spend all my time troll spamming(in facct this is the only time) so I think that gives me some room to debate the issues
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Anonymous Trollward, 23 Jul 2012 @ 4:49am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Successful trolling?

Yay me! :)
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Anonymous Coward, 23 Jul 2012 @ 5:10am

Re:
Even under the cover of a mob stealing dvds is wrong, making your own copies of that movie and distrubution it is not wrong.
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drew (profile), 23 Jul 2012 @ 5:57am

Re: Re: Re:
Once again you're either missing the point or deliberately side-stepping it. Let me repeat, "The world is changing, for a law to be respected it must change with the rest of the world."
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Anonymous Coward, 23 Jul 2012 @ 6:32am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
"Right and wrong are subjective concepts established by consensus."

Not entirely. Do you think that, in gang infested neighborhoods, that "right and wrong" comes into play when they say "snitches get stitches"?

The public as a whole is very capable of selecting self defeating things, making choices the hurt them in the long run, sometimes for very short term gains.

It's why people smoke and drive drunk. Short term gain, long term pain. If you ask them, they think it's right. Is it really right?

It has taken a generation to make drunk driving less socially acceptable, and about 2 generations (since the Malboro Man) to make people realize that smoking is deadly.

Right or wrong? Are you really sure the public is able to make that choice correctly at all times?
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Anonymous Coward, 23 Jul 2012 @ 6:33am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
Nobody is stealing your culture. You are however working very hard to steal everything that isn't nailed down. Congrats on not realizing how silly your chant is.
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drew (profile), 23 Jul 2012 @ 6:43am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Hmm.
Group A is focusing on restricting access to material for longer and longer periods so that no-one can use it without paying a toll, despite the basis of that toll being that it is return for making that material available.
Group B is focusing on opening up access to material so that people can use it for free.

Hmm, remind me which one of those is closest to stealing?
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drew (profile), 23 Jul 2012 @ 6:46am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
"Do you think that, in gang infested neighborhoods, that "right and wrong" comes into play when they say "snitches get stitches"?"

Absolutely, it might not be your idea of right and wrong but it's the established one in that community.

"Right or wrong? Are you really sure the public is able to make that choice correctly at all times?"

If not the public, then who?
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Anonymous Coward, 23 Jul 2012 @ 6:47am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Neither is, the copyright monpoly is infringment of my natural property rights but I still have all my things.

Going against the copyright mnopoly does not take anything away from the copyright holder, it just makes more of the thing being copied
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Anonymous Coward, 23 Jul 2012 @ 6:47am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Neither is, the copyright monopoly is infringment of my natural property rights but I still have all my things.

Going against the copyright mnopoly does not take anything away from the copyright holder, it just makes more of the thing being copied
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drew (profile), 23 Jul 2012 @ 6:48am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
"Do you think that, in gang infested neighborhoods, that "right and wrong" comes into play when they say "snitches get stitches"?"

Absolutely, it might not be your idea of right and wrong but it's the established one in that community.

"Right or wrong? Are you really sure the public is able to make that choice correctly at all times?"

If not the public, then who?
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Anonymous Coward, 23 Jul 2012 @ 7:31am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Good news drew, your comment is the answer to life, the universe and everything!
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That Anonymous Coward (profile), 23 Jul 2012 @ 8:07am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
your right they didn't have to work very hard to do it, they handed piles of cash to lawmakers to get their way, and then extract more money from society to foot the bill for the enforcement of their special rights.

They claim combating "piracy" is easy, but refuse to pay anything towards stopping the loss of BILLIONS. It would seem someone not willing to spend 1 Million to make several billion is stupid or lying. I'm guessing it is the latter.

Please backup your statement that I steal everything that isn't nailed down. Unless of course that is just how you deal with people who are smarter and faster than you... you call them names and imply they are committing wrong to coverup the truth they point out.
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Tunnen (profile), 23 Jul 2012 @ 9:32am

Re: RE: Smallest Font...
I'm sure that Apple will just use white text on a white background.

But I guess they'd still do that in a small font... =P
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That Anonymous Coward (profile), 23 Jul 2012 @ 10:45am

Re: Re: RE: Smallest Font...
only visible on "retina" displays.
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Anonymous Coward, 23 Jul 2012 @ 8:35pm

I see one of your phrases has found favor at the Volokh Conspiracy:

http://www.volokh.com/2012/07/23/and-whose-fault-was-that-or-ignore-the-streisand-eff ect-at-your-your-clients-peril/
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techflaws (profile), 27 Jul 2012 @ 11:17pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Are you really sure the public is able to make that choice correctly at all times?

Not necessarily though more likely than you and your ilk.
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Baceaven (profile), 14 Sep 2012 @ 11:13pm

Actually you only can watch on "retina" displays.
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