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August 22nd EFF Benefit Party at the DNA Lounge

Posted by chrisd on from the attend-or-just-donate dept.

Jamie Zawinski writes "Mark your calendars: on Thursday, August 22nd, we're throwing a benefit party for the EFF at DNA Lounge in San Francisco! In addition to great music from DDR, Kid606, and many others, you can also witness the carnage of the first ever Wil Wheaton versus Barney Celebrity Boxing Match! Can Wil, with his backing from the EFF, protect free speech and parody on the Internet and defeat Barney and his team of corporate lawyers? You can also join us earlier in the evening and meet Wil at a special VIP party: see the DNA Lounge announcement or the EFF press release for more details." Even if you can't attend, isn't now a good time to renew your membership?

90 comments

  1. DDR? by httpamphibio.us · · Score: 2, Funny

    Are we talking about music from Dance Dance Revolution? If so, is that going to be because people are playing DDR soundtrack cd's or because the game is going to be there?

    --
    sig.
    1. Re:DDR? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, it's music from the former East Germany (Deutsche Demokratische Republik).

    2. Re:DDR? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wheaton was ausome in stand by me, he would throttle barney, even at 12.

  2. Take This Seriously, Buddy by capt.Hij · · Score: 3, Insightful
    The "boxing match" sounds hilarious, and the event appears like it would be gobs of fun. Unfortunately, though, a lot of people don't take the EFF seriously, and they don't take their goals seriously. It is counter-productive if our political representatives come to think of the RFF as simply a bunch of irreverent nerds.

    Personaly, I am an irreverent nerd, and after years of not going to therapy I've come to like it. I also am willing to recognize that others haven't reached that point in their social development. The EFF is an important organization doing good work, but they need to be more careful in how others perceive them if they want to be an effective lobbying organization.

    And, yes this is a rather sad statement.

    1. Re:Take This Seriously, Buddy by Comrade+Pikachu · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Good point. As an EFF member, I prefer that they focus their efforts on more serious issues.

      What the hell is the issue with Barney? It seems that they put some sort of juvenile parody on their site, to which Barney's lawyers responded with a cease and desist order. It may be that the EFF was in the wrong. If so, then just drop it! It seves no purpose to engage in further pointless juvenile behavior.

      Doesn't the EFF know that copyright owners are obliged to defend their copyrights? These people are not the enemy. For the most part, they are just honest folks trying to make a buck.

    2. Re:Take This Seriously, Buddy by vidarh · · Score: 4, Informative

      Copyright owners have no obligation to defend their copyrights. You may be thinking about trademark owners, who may lose trademark protection if they don't protect their mark.

    3. Re:Take This Seriously, Buddy by vidarh · · Score: 2
      It is counter productive for an organization that get the majority of it's support from the technology sector and geeks and related parts of the public to try to pretend they are something else, as that will only serve to alienate potential members and supporters.

      As for being taken seriously, numbers (of voters that may turn against you if you don't listen) and money (for lawyers to fight stupid laws when people don't listen) is far more important than being seen as some old, stuffy institution.

    4. Re:Take This Seriously, Buddy by b0r0din · · Score: 1

      Maybe this boxing match will also resolve an ages-old argument: Who do geeks hate more, Wesley Crusher or Barney?

    5. Re:Take This Seriously, Buddy by Anonym1ty · · Score: 1

      Now I can wear my Throw Barney out an airlock T-Shirt!

      --
      See the Pictures of the Flood of '08
    6. Re:Take This Seriously, Buddy by GregGardner · · Score: 2

      Oh, come on. If the former Attorney General of the United States, Janet Reno can get away with hosting a Dance Party to kick off her race for Governor of Florida, I think the EFF can throw a little dance party without losing too much credit.

    7. Re:Take This Seriously, Buddy by GregGardner · · Score: 3, Informative

      You obviously didn't read the "Barney" link in the article. If you had, you would find that the EFF was hosting a site that posted the parody, they didn't put it up themselves, the site is no longer hosted by the EFF, and there is a long standing legal precedent of parody being protected by the First Amendment.

      You know, the First Amendment, one of the laws that EFF members like you and I pay the EFF to defend online.

    8. Re:Take This Seriously, Buddy by Comrade+Pikachu · · Score: 1

      In this case, I mis-typed. Barney is indeed covered by trademark law rather than copyright law.

      I was under the impression that copyright owners also needed to defend their copyright, or else the work would revert to the public domain. It may simply be that failure to formally register a copyrighted work makes it harder to defend in court against claims of public domain status. AFAIK, This is what happened to the guy who made the "Have a Nice Day" smiley-face buttons back in the 70's.

    9. Re:Take This Seriously, Buddy by vidarh · · Score: 2
      These days registration of copyright is only a way of publicly documenting the origination of a copyrighted work in case of disputes over who created the work, and that's about it. In any country that is a signatory to the Berne convention (most of the world), the creation of a work that can be covered by copyright is automatically covered by copyright. In other words, if you write a book, paint a painting, or even write an e-mail, the work is covered by copyright automatically whether or not you have registered it as long as you have not explicitly relinquished copyright by stating that the work is public domain.

      That said, courts will limit copyright protection for works for various reasons, and copyright law does not give protection to everything: Try to claim copyright on a word or a short phrase and you'll most likely be laughed out of court in most countries if you try to "defend your copyright". In such cases you are much more likely to succeed in obtaining trademark protection.

      (ObDisclaimer: IANAL)

  3. This is what you are reduced to? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Can Wil, with his backing from the EFF, protect free speech and parody on the Internet and defeat Barney and his team of corporate lawyers?

    Surely this will aid in your quest to rid the world of the evils of intellectual property, the DMCA, and whatever else! Wil Wheaton vs Barney and the corporate lawyers!!!

  4. thanks to all you open sores theives by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    the congress is going to pass laws taking our fair use rights away. if it was not for hippies like stallman demanding everything for free this would not have happened.

  5. Barney by MullerMn · · Score: 5, Funny

    That letter to the lawyers threatinging the EFF with regards to the Barney parody (linked in the blurb above) is a good fun read.

    All it's missing is the line "Say my name, Bitch" at the end.

  6. Re:Whiningness. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The EFF is protecting free speech and parody on the Internet, you say?

    Well, all of the speech on the Internet, that I write, seems to be whining. I'm not at all sure that I want myself to be protected. See, I'm annoying. Besides whining, I seem to subsist mostly on porn, which I don't think is speech, since it doesn't really mean anything.     (that bits stupid enough to leave) So, I guess they're not protecting me, even though I have to be more entertaining than whining. Whatever, though.
    I was gonna keep going and parody that last part when it occured to me that YOUR post must be a parody. I mean jesus fuck man it has to be. Its more blockheaded than Charlie Brown. And as for the EFF THEY are the people fighting to keep it possible so that YOU can keep posting your opinion online without fear of being sued to death. Sure you have the fear of being flamed, but then don't post such stupid shit in the first place.

  7. Same date as slashdot meetup... by zardie · · Score: 2, Informative

    This collides with the slashdot meetup date of next month....

  8. Re:Goodness. by derbobb · · Score: 1

    i totaly agree with you. let's also not protect the speech of anyone who disagrees with us.

  9. bad news for Linux? by tps12 · · Score: 0, Troll

    This sounds like a rockin' party, but I question if it perhaps sends people the wrong message. The majority of the public are unfamiliar with the EFF and the notion of Free Software.

    I remember when I first mentioned Linux to my father, he responded that they'd been losing money...turns out he was referring to LNUX! Suffice it to say that even the more informed members of the public don't yet "get it" regarding electronic freedom.

    Which brings us to this party. The EFF needs to demand respect. Would the ACLU, NRA, AARP, or NAACP be putting on a function like this? No. When it comes to lobbyist groups, public image is everything (well, after money, I guess). Linux users and Freedom proponents already tend to be perceived as hackers and pirates, and I don't think we need to add bohemianism (in San Francisco, no less) into the mix. Perhaps a public tennis tournament would be more in order?

    --

    Karma: Good (despite my invention of the Karma: sig)
    1. Re:bad news for Linux? by _Sprocket_ · · Score: 2

      ...and you're saying the same people who think LNUX is everything "Linux" is going to know anything about the EFF? Or that the EFF is having a fund raiser in SanFran? And that this fundraiser includes a "boxing match"/political statement?

      Here's another concept - the ACLU, NRA, AARP, and NAACP have a whole hosts of people who view them as extremist nutcases out to actively destroy what's Right (according to their critic's definition, and not as in "right-wing"). EFF will have critics just because of who and what they are. Political rights lobby groups are as respected as they are reviled.

  10. Wesley Crusher vs. the Gorn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The hell with Barney. Let him jump in the ring with the Gorn or that "No Kill I" monster if he's got such big balls.

  11. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 1

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  12. Slashdot must really hate Wil Wheaton by Kj0n · · Score: 3, Funny

    This is already the fourth time that his website gets slashdotted.

    1. Re:Slashdot must really hate Wil Wheaton by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Who cares, Wil Wheaton likes the way little boys feel.

    2. Re:Slashdot must really hate Wil Wheaton by isorox · · Score: 2

      Slashdot must really hate Wil Wheaton

      Of course, he doesnt subscribe and blocks images.slashdot.org in mozilla. He's a thief!

  13. Why bother? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    You can also join us earlier in the evening and meet Wil at a special VIP party

    Why do that, when I could just wait around for Wil to post a comment here and then strike up a conversation like a Star Trek obssesed stalker with no life?

    Wil, I'm outside your house!

    1. Re:Why bother? by CleverNickName · · Score: 2, Funny

      Why do that, when I could just wait around for Wil to post a comment here and then strike up a conversation like a Star Trek obssesed stalker with no life?

      Wil, I'm outside your house!

      I'm not coming out until you put on your pants.

  14. I'll start by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I disagree with qpt. My lawyers have been informed about my disagreement, and the writ is currently winging its way to him as we speak. Thats we as in yourself, derbobb, and myself, AC. Not qpt, though. He doesn't have anything to add to the conversation, and I disagree with him anyway.

  15. East Coast by Olinator · · Score: 3, Interesting
    These benefits in SF are nice and all for those of us who live somewhere out there or can afford airfare, but it'd be awful nice if the EFF would put together some high profile get-togethers in Boston or New York, somewhere us rightcoasters can get to without having to surrender umpteen forms of ID along the way.

    Here's an idea: make sure there's a benefit scheduled to coincide with LISA in Philly. I'll go!

    Ole

    PS. EFF, if you're listening -- get your damn secure site fixed -- the last time I tried to donate, the site barfed; I had to print out a page with my CC info filled in and fax it -- and I still never actually got billed.

    --
    Need a UNIX/Linux/network guru in the Boulde
    1. Re:East Coast by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      Or how about chicago or atlanta?

      I am sick of all the california dweebs getting the fun.

      time to set off those charges on the san-andreas and get rid of the worthless sliver of this country known as california.

    2. Re:East Coast by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'll tell you what. Let's comprimise and split the difference. I am planning to move to a new country anyway. It's called, "The Republic of California." My apartment is already packed up and ready to move. Me too.

  16. Re:Wil Wheaton by j1mmy · · Score: 1, Funny

    Thanks for clarifying ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

  17. Barney? by colmore · · Score: 2

    Aren't Barney jokes a little... oh I don't know... 1994?

    --
    In Capitalist America, bank robs you!
    1. Re:Barney? by Soko · · Score: 2, Funny

      Aren't Barney jokes a little... oh I don't know... 1994?

      No! NO! Until that purple, sugar coated, white gumed (LOOK AT THE UGLY THING SOMETIME - HE HAS NO TEETH!!) lame ass excuse for corporate brainwashing of our kids is dead, I will continue to parody and make him the butt of as many jokes as I can. A pox on him.

      Hey, maybe we could resurect another '90s joke, and convince Jerry Falwell that Barney is Tinky-Winky's gay live in. Adds new meaning to "I love you, You love me...". GAHHH!

      (*Cranks up 7Dust to clear the stench of the Barney song from his head*)

      Soko

      --
      "Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm." - Anonymous
    2. Re:Barney? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ewwwww.... 7Dust? hell, I'll take Barney

  18. Re:HI THERE TROLLS !!!! by alicebotmaster · · Score: 1

    Is the EFF really about defending free speech? Or is this just a battle between rich lawyers and record companies and the rich kids who want to rip them off?

    I used to think it was totally about free speech, until I ran into this rich kid Dave Touretsky.

    Dr. Rich

  19. Good Lord by fritter · · Score: 3, Funny
    ...you can also witness the carnage of the first ever Wil Wheaton versus Barney Celebrity Boxing Match! Can Wil, with his backing from the EFF, protect free speech and parody on the Internet and defeat Barney and his team of corporate lawyers?

    Obviously I haven't really woken up this morning and this is some kind of weird Slashdot dream.

  20. Classifieds on Slashdot? by guanxi · · Score: 2, Informative

    I support the EFF, but this posting lacks content. The classified ads are diluting /.

    First, "Wanna Work for Dave Taylor & American McGee?"
    http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=02/07/ 28/143820 6&mode=thread&tid=127

    Now this.

  21. The absolute best part.... by Lumpy · · Score: 4, Interesting

    is the link in the main story that is kinda- hidden. Click on the barney link and read. in fact this needs to be printed and given to every CEO.

    This is what lawyers are supposed to do.. in legaleze completely smack the face of the scumballs that send out threats like candy-grams.

    This letter in it's own made me renew right away.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  22. Why should I join? by bruthasj · · Score: 3, Insightful

    You know, I believe in liberty. But that doesn't mean I immediately grasp blindly to anyone's political agenda. Now I am not being condescending on anyone here, but would like to get a broader perspective here.

    There may be a scale issue here, where I just don't belong on that far side of the scale. What should I do?

    And, please, give me some counter-arguments too. Why should I *not* join the EFF?

    I'd hate to join a group where I can't agree with 100% of their political agenda. I'd rather not debate the issues, but want a perspective from all sides on the scale... Of course, this site might well be one-sided on the issue.

    1. Re:Why should I join? by x+mani+x · · Score: 2

      If you want to know EFF's political agenda, head on over to their web site, and you can find out in detail.

      I personally donated some cash because I am a Canadian citizen. I can't "write my congressman" because I'm not a citizen in the country where lobbyists working for commercial entities are trying to limit my rights! So the best I can do is lend monetary support to a group that can do a much better job of fighting them than I can. God knows I've lent enough "monetary support" to the bad guys ...

    2. Re:Why should I join? by Sloppy · · Score: 1
      And, please, give me some counter-arguments too. Why should I *not* join the EFF?
      I'm an EFF contributor, but I can think of one thing against them: they keep losing! At the MPAA-vs-2600(with EFF) trial, I thought there were several things should have been attempted, but weren't. (Granted, IANAL.) Sometimes I wonder at their overall competence and if we're not getting best possible bang for the buck. (Still, it's something. If I'm getting $50 of justice per $100 I spend, that's better than $0. ;-)

      Oh, and I was pretty surprised and disappointed at their stand on the Microsoft SmartTags thing. But I think that might have been an anomaly.

      --
      As copyright owner of this comment, I authorize everyone to defeat any technological measure which limits access to it.
  23. No, this is bringing it to the people by mekkab · · Score: 2

    Where are the people who are most likely to understand technology issues and their implications?

    Are they shopping at J. Crew? (hey! I shop at J.Crew!!!) Are they going to Britney Spears concerts? Are they in the malls?

    Or are the electronically inclined listening to electronic music and are part of the culture that surrounds?!

    When it comes to lobbying groups it is money first, numbers second, and then "social status" (WTF?!) dead last.

    Perhaps a public tennis tournament would be buried under the US Open (which is currently for sale to the highest corporate bidder... I know because I've been in both the cheap seats and the oh-so-groovy, comfy, and very close corporate seats (not to mention the boxes, dear lord! the party boxes!))- unless the EFF can afford to be a major player in it.

    Image is nothing. Money is everything. And if you can't get money, a whole mess of grass-roots activists are the next best thing.

    And guess what? Them there ravers are going to be the power-elite of the future. Lets fill their heads with the good ideas now.

    -an "ex" raver (if there is such a thing!)

    P.S. yes, I am the power 31337 of the future!

    --
    In the future, I would want to not be isolated from my friends in the Space Station.
  24. www.wilwheaton.net is down by idiosynchronic · · Score: 1

    Obviously, someone knew he was going to get slashdotted. Wil's website has already batten'd the hatches and is off the net in order to protect his poor, long-suffering host from the strangling bandwidth. No word from Wil as to when it, and the forums, will be back up.

    IRC chat is still available on the Undernet (no pithy comments, please) on channel #wwdn.

  25. Ode to Wil by LittleGuy · · Score: 2, Offtopic

    I blog you
    You blog me
    Ten quadloos on Wesley C
    While the MonkeyBoxers
    RAWK with defeaning fain
    Purple Lizard will be drained

    --
    Mod Karma -1: I sed bad wurds. If I cep my mouf shut, I wud be at riyses.
  26. Re:Kent Oh Kent by alicebotmaster · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    When I was your age, we had to walk two miles to smoke pot and have sex.

  27. No fucking way by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Your desire and candor: top notch

    Your resilience and solicitude: supurb.

    We love you, and glad you hate the most progressive state in the country. No doubt, things look different to you as fat, balding sys admin from Ohio. It's so pretty to think so. . .

  28. I was good with the "Barney Response" until... by Zelxyb · · Score: 1

    I saw "means at are disposal". Don't they have the squiggly green underlines?

  29. Why not on a weekend by FattMattP · · Score: 2

    First the Mozilla party on a Wednesday and now the EFF Benefit on a Thursday. How about doing this sort of stuff on a weekend so people can actually attend?

    --
    Prevent email address forgery. Publish SPF records for y
    1. Re:Why not on a weekend by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      First the Mozilla party on a Wednesday and now the EFF Benefit on a Thursday. How about doing this sort of stuff on a weekend so people can actually attend?

      Some of us don't have real jobs.

    2. Re:Why not on a weekend by LunaticSX · · Score: 1

      DNA has regular scheduled events on weekends that aren't as compatible with things like Mozilla, EFF, etc.

      Or to put it another way: Jaime hates the music played at his own club on weekends, so if there's going to be a party there that he wants to go to, it's not going to be on a Friday or Saturday. (:

      As well, Fridays and Saturdays at DNA are already crowded with non-geek types. A Mozilla/EFF/etc. party combined with one of those nights would be a major clash.

      -= Lunatic

  30. Where's The Open Source DJ's by szyzyg · · Score: 2

    OK.... maybe I'm bitter, but being a long term Open Source hacker (Icecast, Liveice, Cgicast etc), EFF donator, and DJ in San Francisco you'd imagine there'd be some room for me on the DJ lineup. Hell the DNA Lounge even uses streaming software descended from my first open source mp3 streaming code.

    Hell - I even released the first open source software that let people DJ live with mpeg audio (back then layer 2 was more established and needed less CPU). Since then I've reverted to good old vinyl, but Kid 606 is one of the better known DJ's who are forging new paths in live vinyl free performances.

    Oh... and I don't suck either.... (listen to me a DJSnM.com)

    Hell.... I'll DJ *and* fight Wil Wheaton and Barney at the same time....

    1. Re:Where's The Open Source DJ's by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Well, dontcha think you should be bitchin' to jwz? What is the general slashdot populace going to do to satisfy your current dilemma?

  31. smembership by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "Even if you can't attend, isn't now a good time to renew your membership?"

    No. Besides, never joined in the first place. I'm off to make money from the "evil" corporations...

  32. Kid 606 by BiggsTheCat · · Score: 1

    Incidentally, Kid 606 f***ing rocks! I wish I lived in SF.

    --

    Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so. --Ford Prefect

  33. Gods, you're a moron. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    DDR is a musicain, who started out "just" producing, and now does a live PA. He has a long, established and WELL KNOWN history and reputation as such.

    Try pulling your head out of your ass, and realising that there's a world outside of your little videogame.

    1. Re:Gods, you're a moron. by httpamphibio.us · · Score: 1

      I'm a well known PA in Washington, I just don't listen or play dance garbage.

      And I also haven't played DDR in three years.

      --
      sig.
  34. If Janet Reno can have a Dance Party... by sulli · · Score: 2

    so can we.

    --

    sulli
    RTFJ.
  35. Barney will not actually be there by rumba · · Score: 1

    It's just a freakin pinata. I want to see Wheaton square off with the real thing. Well, they could at least get a guy in a purple foam suit. Maybe I'll crash this event in costume and call WW to the mat. "Stop picking on paper effigies and fight someone your own size!"

  36. Wil Wheaton is their draw??? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Couldn't thet get Patrick Stewart, Michael Dorn, Scott Bakula, James Doohan, or at LEAST one of those DS9 types?

    Sure as hell, not a "Wesley episode" ever went by during which I wasn't wishing and hoping that Worf would finally flip out and break the little prat in half once and for all. And I even did a little happy dance when they finally kicked his ass off the ship.

    Wesley vs. Barney... I gotta admit, it's a hard choice as to who is the more annoying little shit. I hate to say it, but if I go, I may just have to be rooting for the RIAA on this one.

  37. ACID FSCKING TECHNO!!! by In-Doge · · Score: 1

    Dunno when I'm gonna be able to see someone of DDR's caliber up here in Van. Hopefully soon!

  38. I submitted this earlier and it was rejected... by SocialWorm · · Score: 1
    ...my version of the story mentioned that this is not the first time that Wil Wheaton has worked to raise funds for the EFF. Last year, he was on The Weakest Link. See http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=01/11/27/021423 0&mode=nested&tid=158 for details.

    So, did he win tons of money for our favorite organization? How did he do? :) The EFF apparently got $10,000 just because he showed up. I tried searching the comments for "win" but didn't find anything.

    --
    My Blog: http://nic.dreamhost.com/
  39. This isn';t some PR Stunt by Tokerat · · Score: 2


    Is there something wrong with geeks kicking back and partying once and a while?

    I'm sure if an EFF ref. stood before Congress, he wouldn't box with Barney the dinosaur with Kid606 kicking away in the background...

    --
    CAn'T CompreHend SARcaSm?
  40. I noticed that everyone has to show ID to get in by Black+Art · · Score: 2

    The notice on IDs says "No exceptions".

    I wonder if this includes John Gilmore? (Chief Cypherpunk, owner of toad.com, and suer of airlines for requiring IDs.)

    --
    "Trademarks are the heraldry of the new feudalism."
  41. Well, here's how it's gonna [hopefully not] work. by The_Guv'na · · Score: 1

    EFF: Your letter contains two legal claims, neither of which is defensible under existing law.

    Senator's cash register: *Kerching*

    Barney: OK kids, how about now? Hehe!

    EFF: Shit.

    --
    Ph33r m3!!!
  42. Slashdot meetup @ 7pm, EFF benefit @ 9pm by LunaticSX · · Score: 1

    The Slashdot meetup starts at 7:00pm. The DNA Lounge doesn't open until 8:00pm, and that's if you want to pay $50 for "VIP" entry. Otherwise it starts at 9:00pm.

    Also, DNA Lounge is a 21+ venue, while the three possible locations for the meetup are all restaurant/bars, and thus are all ages.

    Go to the meetup first, and then the EFF benefit. Probably many people will do this together.

    BTW, there's a Yahoo discussion group/mailing list for Slashdot in San Francisco at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/slashdot-sf. Discussion of meetup location choices, and the EFF benefit conflict has been going on there.

    -= Lunatic

  43. Re:I noticed that everyone has to show ID to get i by SocialWorm · · Score: 1

    I'm sure they'll make an exception for someone like that, provided his ID can be verified.

    --
    My Blog: http://nic.dreamhost.com/