I like statistics. I like them a lot, and I use them extensively in predictive analytics problems, but then I couple them with more rigorous analytic methods, such as Kalman filters, to predict how systems are trending (yes, this system will fail in 6 days if we don't replace the disc drive now). Hence, I am a great proponent of the old saw that "there are lies, damned lies, and then there are statistics"... :-)
IE, it is a tool, and all tools fail at some point - sometimes catastrophically!
I think that today, Andy Warhol would not be able to practice his art. Would the world be better off? I doubt it, even though I am not a fan of his. It is time we vette our politicians / government representatives for their views on copyright/patent laws, and only support those who are minimalist in their views on the subject - that the current trends in those regards are quickly eroding an entire cultural legacy and providing no benefit to the public, who they (our representatives) are sworn to represent...
I will not purchase anything that I don't subsequently own, can copy, resell, lend, give away, or do whatever I want with it. Hence, I purchase no DRM or paywall encumbered games, books, newpapers, magazines, or articles. I never will, and I will continue to encourage all of my family, friends, and acquaintances to do likewise.
[quote]
And, finally, my last editor's choice comment of the week, which actually made me laugh the most, is a comment from one of our usual critics, apparently insisting that you can't complain about the massive expansion of IP laws over time, without also complaining about the "expansion of the First Amendment."
I'm just pointing out how silly it is that Mike rants about the expansion of IP, but he never complains about the similar expansion of the First Amendment.
Yeah, really not much to say about that other than to shake your head and laugh. Such people do exist in this world, amazingly.
[/quote]
Actually, I think their bodies are in this world, but their brains... ??? NASA is still trying to find the planet that is hosting that!
Maybe Panetta burped up a Freudian Slip, in that the NSA or other clandestine US federal agencies may well use passenger trains to ship deadly materiel. A lot of small, high-value freight is shipped that way.
As an Anonymous Coward said on Slashdot, just use the technique applied in the French Revolution "pour encourager les autres" - just hunt down and execute a few of the owners of these companies, and the rest will find better careers...
Personally I think that Semantic Compaction Systems and Prentke Romich Company should be taken out to the woodshed and heartily spanked! What schmucks! I hope they learn to be ashamed of their egregious actions in this case... Yeah, and pigs will fly!
So, you change the extension, encrypt the file (or re-arrange it so it can be easily reconstituted at the receiving end, though software can probably tell that it is some sort of audio/video data), and what do they know? Are they totally blocking encrypted data, even if sent over un-encrypted http connections? Probably not. So, encrypt file, change the extension, and send it over an un-encrypted link... That should work for awhile.
I'd give my left ball to get Google to deploy in Batavia, Illinois (home of Fermi National Lab). I think a lot of people here would welcome them as heroes, given our current broadband selections are AT&T DSL (1.5mbps to home, 5mbps to business), Comcrap, and AT&T Uverse (worth about $0.00 unless you want an alternative to Comcrap)...
Using photos of public figures is one thing where fair use could easily be argued (copyright of the photographer not withstanding), but using photos of private citizens who have some expectation of privacy is, in some places, clearly illegal without their explicit signed release. I hope that this couple prevails in court and takes PAUS to the cleaners!
Why the USPTO should be disbanded, all management and staff fired, and a new organization started with some SANE managers who know what-the-fuck-is-up and can hire people who are similarly aware! Ok. That will never happen, but firing management is a start...
I fervently hope that just because these companies settled with the FCC, that those spied upon are still able to sue them for a gazillion $$! The best way to punish these asshats is to sue them into oblivion!
Talk about an open door to rampant corruption. That the fines levied pass on as bonuses to those responsible for levying the fines is just incomprehensibly idiotic! Those responsible for this law should be thrown out of office and into prison for blatant corruption and lack of moral fiber!
Google should shut down all of its services to Brazil then for another 48-72 hours, including gmail, google apps, google+, google talk, etc. Let's then see just how fast the mob takes to hoist that judge by his own petard, or otherwise draw, quarter, and hang him out to dry...
I posted that last comment on the wrong article... Doh! Sorry about that chief! Moderator (whoever you are), you can remove these two comments at your leisure. I reposted on the correct article. Thanks.
On the post: Is Using A Single Lyric From A Musician You're A Fan Of 'Theft' Or 'An Homage'?
Be an ass, get nothing from me!
On the post: Why The Press Is Getting The Wrong Message Out Of The 'Nate Silver Walloped The Pundits' Story
Stats and Lies
IE, it is a tool, and all tools fail at some point - sometimes catastrophically!
On the post: Faulkner Estate Sues Sony Pictures Because Owen Wilson Quoted Nine Words (Incorrectly)
Right...
On the post: Philip Morris Sends Cease & Desist To Artist For Using Marlboro Box In His Art
Fair use and transformitive arts
On the post: Amazon Wipes Customer's Account, Locks All Ebooks, Says 'Find A New Retailer' When She Asks Why
Just say NO!
On the post: Funniest/Most Insightful Comments Of The Week At Techdirt
Exercising my 1st Amendment rights.
And, finally, my last editor's choice comment of the week, which actually made me laugh the most, is a comment from one of our usual critics, apparently insisting that you can't complain about the massive expansion of IP laws over time, without also complaining about the "expansion of the First Amendment."
I'm just pointing out how silly it is that Mike rants about the expansion of IP, but he never complains about the similar expansion of the First Amendment.
Yeah, really not much to say about that other than to shake your head and laugh. Such people do exist in this world, amazingly.
[/quote]
Actually, I think their bodies are in this world, but their brains... ??? NASA is still trying to find the planet that is hosting that!
On the post: Defense Secretary Leon Panetta Recycles His 'Cyber-Pearl Harbor' FUD... Third Time's The Charm?
Re: These guys can't keep anything straight.
On the post: FTC Offers $50,000 To Whoever Can Come Up With A Way To Stop 'Rachel From Cardholder Services'
Simple
On the post: Patent Settlement Ends Fight Over Helpful Speech App -- But Leaves Questions About Patent Bullies
Shame on them!
On the post: Canadian DJ's New Album Comes With Cardboard Turntable That Plays Included 3-Track Bonus Disc
Awesome
On the post: Twitter Makes The Case That Trolls Should Have To Pay Legal Fees For Bogus Lawsuits
Re: Punish the trolls heavily
On the post: DHS: Our Reports To Congress Are Successful Bullshit
Yea Assange
On the post: Iran's Latest Aggressive Censorship Plan: Block All Audio & Video Files
Morons!
On the post: Time Warner Cable Suddenly Forced To Compete In Kansas City; Complains Google Has 'Unfair Advantage'
Sacrifices
On the post: Why It's Tempting, But Troubling, To Use Copyright As A Stand In For Moral Rights
Photos of private citizens vs. public figures
Using photos of public figures is one thing where fair use could easily be argued (copyright of the photographer not withstanding), but using photos of private citizens who have some expectation of privacy is, in some places, clearly illegal without their explicit signed release. I hope that this couple prevails in court and takes PAUS to the cleaners!
-Spiff
On the post: GoDaddy Receives Patent On 'Announcing A Domain Name Registration On A Social Website'
Another good reason
On the post: PC Rental Companies Agree To Not Watch You Have Sex
Just because
On the post: Panama's Government One Step Away From Passing The 'Worst Copyright Law In History'
Corrupt practices anybody?
On the post: Brazilian Judge Overreacts, Orders Arrest Of Head Of Google's Operations In Brazil Over Refusal To Censor YouTube Video
Quid Pro Quo
On the post: David Byrne: One Of My Albums Sat On The Shelf For A Year Because Label Wanted DRM And I Didn't
Oops
-Spiff
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