Why is this article blaming a Steam developer for saying something entirely accurate? This was unfair to Steam customers. People had pre-ordered the game and then suddenly, it changes that at the last minute. Of course it's unfair to them. It's an awful way to treat your customers.
And let's not pretend the backslash was lit by Steam, it was going to happen either way, as it has for many others companies who did the same thing, except without the pre-order shenanigans. And that's entirely on Epic for offering bribes to strong-arm competition and the game devs for selling out.
But even if it's just the EU, once it passes, lobbyist will use it as a precedent for every major trade deal being negotiated, that other countries need to conform to the new "standard". It's what they did for copyright, patents and the DMCA. And so it always ends up being bundled into a larger agreement, often without public input.
So, the precedent is very disturbing. They need to kill this right now or 10 years from now, we'll nearly all be stuck with versions of this directive.
I have nothing against the stated goal of the PAC but dammit man, there's the Wolf PAC that already managed to go through both the Chamber and Senate of Vermont. And they are not asking for kickstarter type of money (millions) to get rid of the influence of money on politics. So why the hell do we need another PAC when one has already accomplished more than them and without the ironic stupidity of raising a PAC asking for millions to get rid of the influence of MONEY.
So that's why I think this Mayday PAC is downright idiotic since it's just splitting forces and the way they demand money runs counter to their stated goals.
You don't want more staff for the patent office. They're given signs that more patents=more innovation so if you hired more of them, they'd find reasons to grant more and worse patents because they're encouraged to do so.
Gotta say that at least, they knew where to draw a line and protect Canadian interests from American ones. Such as declining participating in the Iraq war for the U.S. and the like.
The Conservatives seem satisfied pandering to the U.S.' every whim and that's irritating as hell to watch the country act like a subsidiary of our southern neighbours.
I used the first free month subscription just to watch that series. In case people didn't know, the premiere is available to all on their website. I've only watched 5 episodes so far and I really like it.
But yes, I have to admit an episode every week creates buzz and excitement, even if it's frustrating to wait a whole week for the next episode. Cliffhangers are somewhat of a necessary evil to grow popularity. Then again, Netflix can always prove me wrong! Who knows?
Funny you mention that, I used to visit TechCrunch regularly until they switched to Facebook comments and I had to stop myself from commenting every time because I didn't want this to show up on my Facebook account. I was very irritated at their decision so I just stopped going there altogether. I doubt I'll be going back although it's good they finally saw the light when it comes to anonymity for commenters.
I mean, when you work in the IT industry, the last thing you want are your personal opinions to be read by your current or future employers.
That moron could easily go to jail for a long time if people report what he's done to the authorities.
What he's done is considered Computer Fraud and access without authorization. Computer Fraud crimes, to my knowledge can land you up to 10-20 years in jail in most countries.
I'm with Craigslist on this one. They HAVE to do this or they'll be cut out of the market by people stealing their listed ads from them.
Legally, I can't really comment on whether their classified ads can really be copyrighted or not, but ethically speaking, what Carsabi, 3Taps and PadMapper did is utterly and completely morally bankrupt.
You make a much better interface? That's great, good for you. Now, disrupt, try to build an audience and put Craigslist slowly out of business if it refuses to adapt. That's how market disruption works. And we've seen that happen very often.
You don't go and copy every listing of your popular competitor just to make sure you have an audience overnight because you can't be bothered to actually work to build it yourself. That's using someone else's work to gain popularity. And that's freaking scummy.
Might be a touchy subject for me since I'm in the business of scanlation and every day, we see our own work being copied so big manga readers can make money off it... and it still bothers me to this day. Even if I don't own the copyrights and do this for free/fun, it's us who did the work of getting it out.
That being said, if Craigslist was smart, they'd buy out one of these and replace their own interface. But as it stands, it has to go after people copying their listings.
Personally, I think the ability to block political payments the way VISA/MasterCard/Paypal did should be illegal.
These 3 companies completely corner the market. Once they've blocked you, that's like Pepsi and Coke colluding to ban you from buying their products. Good luck finding another provider to get the service you want. They're in a monopoly position and they're clearly abusing it.
Considering the almost completely inability to be able to send money to Wikileaks after their moves, why should they be allowed to collude and refuse service 'just because'?
I like the analogy to prohibition because it's in many ways quite similar.
The alcohol prohibition was the government forcefully pushing its morals onto the people, morals its citizens just didn't share at all. So it became completely trivial to break those laws just as if it was jaywalking.
Copyrights are becoming so out of touch with reality and getting so far away from their original goal to promote works and creativity that they're actually stifling them instead. And the public is becoming more and more cynical over the special interests buying those laws that they stop respecting them because they're too ridiculous and completely unreasonable.
So yes, copyright law is probably this generation's prohibition. It would be fun if a Pirate Party could start influencing politics in North America like they are in Europe.
That law is unenforceable but still useful. News organizations still have to adhere to it and let's face it, a lot of people watch the news to follow the results.
Everyone knowing the results ahead can either deter voting (very likely outcome btw) or change results of close races because of lemmings who vote for the one who looks like they'll win because they think it'll make them gain favour of the ruling government.
Impractical? Unenforceable? Yes. But still necessary. And if France has it spread over 2 days, it makes even more sense to have one. News organization are the prime target here since the rest is mostly just hearsay and unreliable.
Actually, I'd like to clarify. It wouldn't be a monstrous cousin of SOPA/PIPA with all those amendments. It would easily dwarf both taken together.
One of the most ridiculous thing was to watch the non-copyright associations propose completely reasonable amendments (2) to deal with the problem of the illegality of breaking DRM for legal purposes, thus preventing it to be used for education purposes, copying your own stuff, etc... And the other is an amendment to ensure access for the blind.
And then watch all the batshit crazy amendments the copyright associations started proposing. Some of which you didn't mention or didn't go into enough detail. Here's the list:
- A massive expansion of the enabler provision --> The music industry wants to remove a requirement that the so-called pirate sites be "designed primarily" to enable copyright infringement, making pretty much any site with user-content liable for any infringement done, whether intentional or not.
- An extension in the term of copyright from life plus 50 to life plus 70.
- Removal of protections for user generated content, parody, and satire --> Death of Fair Use, basically. (Goes against a Supreme Court decision too)
- Increase in statutory damage awards --> Also mentioned they think there shouldn't be any limits.
- Extend the private copying levy to include digital audio recording devices --> Yet somehow, make the copying illegal. Why should there be a tax if it's illegal?
- Website blocking for foreign websites (like in SOPA)
- Lawful access to subscriber information with no court oversight
- Takedown requirements with no court oversight (akin to the DMCA in the U.S.)
- Force ISPs to act as copyright cops
Jeez, talk about delusional execs and incompetence and computer illiterate politicians.
Pass this law and the entire tech industry comes crashing down. Why? Because buffering/making temporary copies is such as vital part of computing itself that the entire tech industry would turn illegal overnight. The same tech industry that employs.
And then it would naturally affect almost anything that plays stuff electronically with the use of a computer chip making dvd players, tvs, phones, etc... basically every electronic device you use these days illegal to use without a license.
The geniuses behind that idea should just go hang themselves and purge themselves from the gene pool. That would be the greatest service they could do for mankind.
Well, personally, I happen to like their idea. Look, the idea of a button erasing all your information online with the click of a button is indeed a fantasy-land delusion. Never going to happen.
But on the other hand, what is feasible is to force companies to accept requests to remove the information they have collected on you. Services such as Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, etc... They make a living out of collecting personal data. And that's where the right to be "forgotten" kicks in. You force them to allow you to delete the data they have on you... or face fines.
It's feasible and it protects privacy should you ever want to erase the information on you on a particular site that collected your information. How many times have you heard of sites like Facebook that "close" your account but somehow still keeps all the data. I sympathize with those people who want them to purge that data when closing the account, if specified.
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What the hell did I just read?
Why is this article blaming a Steam developer for saying something entirely accurate? This was unfair to Steam customers. People had pre-ordered the game and then suddenly, it changes that at the last minute. Of course it's unfair to them. It's an awful way to treat your customers.
And let's not pretend the backslash was lit by Steam, it was going to happen either way, as it has for many others companies who did the same thing, except without the pre-order shenanigans. And that's entirely on Epic for offering bribes to strong-arm competition and the game devs for selling out.
Re:
But even if it's just the EU, once it passes, lobbyist will use it as a precedent for every major trade deal being negotiated, that other countries need to conform to the new "standard". It's what they did for copyright, patents and the DMCA. And so it always ends up being bundled into a larger agreement, often without public input. So, the precedent is very disturbing. They need to kill this right now or 10 years from now, we'll nearly all be stuck with versions of this directive.
Re: "Uber sure did some shady, shady stuff. "
Also, tried to remotely erase data from its servers in Montreal from its California HQ while a raid was underway on their offices over there.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/uber-whistleblower-says-company-erased-data-during-raid-on-montreal-offices-1.3895678
http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/justice-et-faits-divers/actualites-judiciaires/201505/26/01-4872822-saisie-chez-uber-des-donnees-auraient-ete-modifiees-a-distance.php
I have nothing against the stated goal of the PAC but dammit man, there's the Wolf PAC that already managed to go through both the Chamber and Senate of Vermont. And they are not asking for kickstarter type of money (millions) to get rid of the influence of money on politics. So why the hell do we need another PAC when one has already accomplished more than them and without the ironic stupidity of raising a PAC asking for millions to get rid of the influence of MONEY.
So that's why I think this Mayday PAC is downright idiotic since it's just splitting forces and the way they demand money runs counter to their stated goals.
Re: But
You don't want more staff for the patent office. They're given signs that more patents=more innovation so if you hired more of them, they'd find reasons to grant more and worse patents because they're encouraged to do so.
Never liked the libs, but...
Gotta say that at least, they knew where to draw a line and protect Canadian interests from American ones. Such as declining participating in the Iraq war for the U.S. and the like.
The Conservatives seem satisfied pandering to the U.S.' every whim and that's irritating as hell to watch the country act like a subsidiary of our southern neighbours.
I used the first free month subscription just to watch that series. In case people didn't know, the premiere is available to all on their website. I've only watched 5 episodes so far and I really like it.
But yes, I have to admit an episode every week creates buzz and excitement, even if it's frustrating to wait a whole week for the next episode. Cliffhangers are somewhat of a necessary evil to grow popularity. Then again, Netflix can always prove me wrong! Who knows?
Funny you mention that, I used to visit TechCrunch regularly until they switched to Facebook comments and I had to stop myself from commenting every time because I didn't want this to show up on my Facebook account. I was very irritated at their decision so I just stopped going there altogether. I doubt I'll be going back although it's good they finally saw the light when it comes to anonymity for commenters.
I mean, when you work in the IT industry, the last thing you want are your personal opinions to be read by your current or future employers.
Hahaha, omg, I couldn't believe my eyes. Patents on how to make turkey? This world is doomed.
That moron could easily go to jail for a long time if people report what he's done to the authorities.
What he's done is considered Computer Fraud and access without authorization. Computer Fraud crimes, to my knowledge can land you up to 10-20 years in jail in most countries.
What a farce! They're making it up as they go to justify the government's actions.
No wonder the U.S. justice system is seen as hopelessly corrupted when judges make up interpretations on the fly to suit their needs.
Can't support you on this one, Mike, sorry.
I'm with Craigslist on this one. They HAVE to do this or they'll be cut out of the market by people stealing their listed ads from them.
Legally, I can't really comment on whether their classified ads can really be copyrighted or not, but ethically speaking, what Carsabi, 3Taps and PadMapper did is utterly and completely morally bankrupt.
You make a much better interface? That's great, good for you. Now, disrupt, try to build an audience and put Craigslist slowly out of business if it refuses to adapt. That's how market disruption works. And we've seen that happen very often.
You don't go and copy every listing of your popular competitor just to make sure you have an audience overnight because you can't be bothered to actually work to build it yourself. That's using someone else's work to gain popularity. And that's freaking scummy.
Might be a touchy subject for me since I'm in the business of scanlation and every day, we see our own work being copied so big manga readers can make money off it... and it still bothers me to this day. Even if I don't own the copyrights and do this for free/fun, it's us who did the work of getting it out.
That being said, if Craigslist was smart, they'd buy out one of these and replace their own interface. But as it stands, it has to go after people copying their listings.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents.
Personally, I think the ability to block political payments the way VISA/MasterCard/Paypal did should be illegal.
These 3 companies completely corner the market. Once they've blocked you, that's like Pepsi and Coke colluding to ban you from buying their products. Good luck finding another provider to get the service you want. They're in a monopoly position and they're clearly abusing it.
Considering the almost completely inability to be able to send money to Wikileaks after their moves, why should they be allowed to collude and refuse service 'just because'?
You think the Pirate Bay can use a copyright claim to send a cease & desist to Microsoft about Pirate Pay?
I would find it hilarious if they could.
I like the analogy to prohibition because it's in many ways quite similar.
The alcohol prohibition was the government forcefully pushing its morals onto the people, morals its citizens just didn't share at all. So it became completely trivial to break those laws just as if it was jaywalking.
Copyrights are becoming so out of touch with reality and getting so far away from their original goal to promote works and creativity that they're actually stifling them instead. And the public is becoming more and more cynical over the special interests buying those laws that they stop respecting them because they're too ridiculous and completely unreasonable.
So yes, copyright law is probably this generation's prohibition. It would be fun if a Pirate Party could start influencing politics in North America like they are in Europe.
That law is unenforceable but still useful. News organizations still have to adhere to it and let's face it, a lot of people watch the news to follow the results.
Everyone knowing the results ahead can either deter voting (very likely outcome btw) or change results of close races because of lemmings who vote for the one who looks like they'll win because they think it'll make them gain favour of the ruling government.
Impractical? Unenforceable? Yes. But still necessary. And if France has it spread over 2 days, it makes even more sense to have one. News organization are the prime target here since the rest is mostly just hearsay and unreliable.
Actually, I'd like to clarify. It wouldn't be a monstrous cousin of SOPA/PIPA with all those amendments. It would easily dwarf both taken together.
One of the most ridiculous thing was to watch the non-copyright associations propose completely reasonable amendments (2) to deal with the problem of the illegality of breaking DRM for legal purposes, thus preventing it to be used for education purposes, copying your own stuff, etc... And the other is an amendment to ensure access for the blind.
And then watch all the batshit crazy amendments the copyright associations started proposing. Some of which you didn't mention or didn't go into enough detail. Here's the list:
- A massive expansion of the enabler provision --> The music industry wants to remove a requirement that the so-called pirate sites be "designed primarily" to enable copyright infringement, making pretty much any site with user-content liable for any infringement done, whether intentional or not.
- An extension in the term of copyright from life plus 50 to life plus 70.
- Removal of protections for user generated content, parody, and satire --> Death of Fair Use, basically. (Goes against a Supreme Court decision too)
- Increase in statutory damage awards --> Also mentioned they think there shouldn't be any limits.
- Extend the private copying levy to include digital audio recording devices --> Yet somehow, make the copying illegal. Why should there be a tax if it's illegal?
- Website blocking for foreign websites (like in SOPA)
- Lawful access to subscriber information with no court oversight
- Takedown requirements with no court oversight (akin to the DMCA in the U.S.)
- Force ISPs to act as copyright cops
Those freaking loons live in another dimension!
Gee, that'll only kill the tech industry overnight
Jeez, talk about delusional execs and incompetence and computer illiterate politicians.
Pass this law and the entire tech industry comes crashing down. Why? Because buffering/making temporary copies is such as vital part of computing itself that the entire tech industry would turn illegal overnight. The same tech industry that employs.
And then it would naturally affect almost anything that plays stuff electronically with the use of a computer chip making dvd players, tvs, phones, etc... basically every electronic device you use these days illegal to use without a license.
The geniuses behind that idea should just go hang themselves and purge themselves from the gene pool. That would be the greatest service they could do for mankind.
I like the idea
Well, personally, I happen to like their idea. Look, the idea of a button erasing all your information online with the click of a button is indeed a fantasy-land delusion. Never going to happen.
But on the other hand, what is feasible is to force companies to accept requests to remove the information they have collected on you. Services such as Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, etc... They make a living out of collecting personal data. And that's where the right to be "forgotten" kicks in. You force them to allow you to delete the data they have on you... or face fines.
It's feasible and it protects privacy should you ever want to erase the information on you on a particular site that collected your information. How many times have you heard of sites like Facebook that "close" your account but somehow still keeps all the data. I sympathize with those people who want them to purge that data when closing the account, if specified.