"With Friday's surprise announcement that Google would start filtering searches based on the number of DMCA notices sites got -- something both the RIAA and MPAA have been asking for for ages -- both organizations made it clear that, while they appreciated this step in the right direction, they wanted more."
I can't believe they haven't thought of the unintended consequences of a move like this. All this influencing of searches is going to do is make the already most-popular torrent sites even MORE popular. You're no longer going to search Google for what you want, you're going to search your torrent site of choice. This will create a few big players, who will only gain more power and influence. Those sites will then be even more difficult to deal with than they are now....
"I think if they'd said "Hey, fans, just as a warning, somebody else is trying to pass my stuff off as theirs. Don't be confused." it would have been a lot better than saying "Hey, this guy is stealing my stuff, go ratebomb him into oblivion.""
I'd say that's absolutely fair. On the other hand, revenge once the author has CONFIRMED a bad action doesn't exactly rate high on my list of "Things That Suck", either....
Jason, I understand the point that language matters, believe me. Which is why I think in the comments I was pretty clear that I trusted Wired to have the distinction correct and didn't look up the action spec on the weapon as I wrote this up. Ultimately it wasn't meaningful to the article, but as someone who hates equating theft and infringement, I understand the argument completely and acknowledged my mistake.
I'm not sure what more there is to be said about it at this point....
"so yeah, the lead in felt like you had an agenda that you were trying to push at the expense of the story."
Wow, really!?!?! I went out of my way to say mention only that everyone involved in the process would have been thought to be even more vigilant than they already were. Christ, I can't see how the lead in blames gun owners at all?
And, by the way, I should mention that I'm a 2nd amendment supporter as well. Well, actually, I can't believe that I have to mention that since this piece was written to be a-political....
JD, he's actually correct. Technically any assault rifle needs to be full-auto for the term to apply. This is what is commonly referred to as an assault WEAPON, which has more to do with asthetics than performance or specs.
On the other hand, given that I didn't take a pro or anti gun stance in this article, sounds like a bunch of butthurt over nothing....
Meh, so by strict definition it's an assault WEAPON, not an assualt RIFLE, because it's only semi-auto. Forgive me for not looking up its action specs prior to writing the piece based on a story in which everyone calls it an AR.
I'm an author as well, but I also work in the technology field and write for Techdirt, so trust me when I tell you how ridiculously wrong you are about how lending eBooks works. eBooks CAN be returned through Amazon's lending DRM, and in fact that is exactly what occurs after 14 days. Libraries are also beginning to lend out eBooks under a similar platform.
Your comment smacks of someone who would think that libraries are a detriment to your income. They are NOT. They facilitate purchases through borrowing and expanding reach, culture, and interest.
You're wrong. Really wrong, on this one, in fact, and thinking like yours got a legitimate business shut down. Please stop doubling down on incorrectness and learn about the things you're choosing to speak of before you help harm anyone else...
Brenna, thanks for commenting here. While we obviously disagree on some of the finer points regaring copyright and IP law generally, we can obviously agree that the overzealous takedown of Lendink was wrong, as are any stupid and childish threats that are being made against the authors who screwed up.
The problem with what I call Permission Culture is that authors (which I also am, though likely not nearly as accomplished as most in this story) receive only one side of the story from their agents, publishers, and most other authors. They are told that copyright is the most important thing in their industry, all piracy is bad, and that's how all this starts. Authors wouldn't HAVE to freak out and overreact because they are so "worn out from piracy" as you say, if only they would understand how they can combat infringement socially rather than legally.
But, in any case, disagree though we might, thanks for being one of the good ones....
On the post: It's Never Enough: Both RIAA & MPAA Aren't Satisfied With Google Punishing 'Pirate' Sites
Creating Bigger Pirate Sites
I can't believe they haven't thought of the unintended consequences of a move like this. All this influencing of searches is going to do is make the already most-popular torrent sites even MORE popular. You're no longer going to search Google for what you want, you're going to search your torrent site of choice. This will create a few big players, who will only gain more power and influence. Those sites will then be even more difficult to deal with than they are now....
On the post: North Face Wants Court To Spank Butt Face
Re:
On the post: North Face Wants Court To Spank Butt Face
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:)
On the post: North Face Wants Court To Spank Butt Face
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On the post: Social Shaming Works Faster Than Legal Recourse
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I'd say that's absolutely fair. On the other hand, revenge once the author has CONFIRMED a bad action doesn't exactly rate high on my list of "Things That Suck", either....
On the post: Social Shaming Works Faster Than Legal Recourse
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I'll say this, the difference between this case and the case of Lendink is very, very thin, but also very, very meaningful and important.
1. In this case the authors were correct
2. They didn't whip up a frenzy amongst other authors, but rather implored their fans to take action
I think this serves as an example of how it can work.
On the post: Honest Mistake: Order A TV From Amazon, Receive An Illegal Assault Rifle
Jesus Christ
On the post: Honest Mistake: Order A TV From Amazon, Receive An Illegal Assault Rifle
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"Fuck you and your definition of journalistic integrity; I'm doing things my way."
Glad we could clear that up.
On the post: Honest Mistake: Order A TV From Amazon, Receive An Illegal Assault Rifle
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You, sir, are a master of the art of being opportunistically offended. I commend you.
Meh.
On the post: Honest Mistake: Order A TV From Amazon, Receive An Illegal Assault Rifle
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I'm not sure what more there is to be said about it at this point....
On the post: Honest Mistake: Order A TV From Amazon, Receive An Illegal Assault Rifle
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Then why does the gun manufacturer refer to it as Mil-Spec?
On the post: Honest Mistake: Order A TV From Amazon, Receive An Illegal Assault Rifle
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On the post: Honest Mistake: Order A TV From Amazon, Receive An Illegal Assault Rifle
Re: I hate to be the one to point this out...
Wow, really!?!?! I went out of my way to say mention only that everyone involved in the process would have been thought to be even more vigilant than they already were. Christ, I can't see how the lead in blames gun owners at all?
And, by the way, I should mention that I'm a 2nd amendment supporter as well. Well, actually, I can't believe that I have to mention that since this piece was written to be a-political....
On the post: Honest Mistake: Order A TV From Amazon, Receive An Illegal Assault Rifle
Re: Re: Re: Re:
On the other hand, given that I didn't take a pro or anti gun stance in this article, sounds like a bunch of butthurt over nothing....
On the post: Honest Mistake: Order A TV From Amazon, Receive An Illegal Assault Rifle
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Um, no, I mean that the manufacturer refers to it as Mil-spec and Mil-STD throughout its description and specs.
http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/sig716-patrol-rifle.aspx
Wow, you gun folks take such minor things seriously. You did note, I hope, that at no point did I take a position for or against gun ownership here?
On the post: Honest Mistake: Order A TV From Amazon, Receive An Illegal Assault Rifle
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Any other meaningless quips?
On the post: Honest Mistake: Order A TV From Amazon, Receive An Illegal Assault Rifle
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On the post: The Daily Show's Awesome Re-imagining Of How Whistleblower Thomas Drake Was A Spy
Re: Not a nickel
On the post: Legit Ebook Lending Site Taken Down By An Angry Twitmob Of Writers [UPDATED]
Re: Pirate?
I'm an author as well, but I also work in the technology field and write for Techdirt, so trust me when I tell you how ridiculously wrong you are about how lending eBooks works. eBooks CAN be returned through Amazon's lending DRM, and in fact that is exactly what occurs after 14 days. Libraries are also beginning to lend out eBooks under a similar platform.
Your comment smacks of someone who would think that libraries are a detriment to your income. They are NOT. They facilitate purchases through borrowing and expanding reach, culture, and interest.
You're wrong. Really wrong, on this one, in fact, and thinking like yours got a legitimate business shut down. Please stop doubling down on incorrectness and learn about the things you're choosing to speak of before you help harm anyone else...
On the post: Legit Ebook Lending Site Taken Down By An Angry Twitmob Of Writers [UPDATED]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
The problem with what I call Permission Culture is that authors (which I also am, though likely not nearly as accomplished as most in this story) receive only one side of the story from their agents, publishers, and most other authors. They are told that copyright is the most important thing in their industry, all piracy is bad, and that's how all this starts. Authors wouldn't HAVE to freak out and overreact because they are so "worn out from piracy" as you say, if only they would understand how they can combat infringement socially rather than legally.
But, in any case, disagree though we might, thanks for being one of the good ones....
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