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Debunking (some) DMCA Myths

An anonymous reader writes "C|Net's News.com is running an article under their Perspectives section about some of the myth and hype surrounding the DMCA. The author talks about how the EFF is exaggerating the danger from the DMCA. The author mentions that although "the DMCA is both an egregious law and a brazen power grab by Hollywood, the music industry and software companies", groups like the EFF are not much better, engaging in "fear-mongering" and scare tactics to increase opposition."

8 of 394 comments (clear)

  1. Meanwhile... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    ... news.com announces that Hitler was "a little wayward", South African apartheid was hyped by the blacks and that Elvis will be embarking on a comeback tour next week.

  2. Maybe I should become a "journalist" by adam613 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'd be on easy street if I could get paid to troll like the guy who wrote that article :)

  3. Re:Oh sweet lord... by Clue4All · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm afraid that you can't moderate an article -1 until you've actually read it, and it is obvious that you have not. The purpose of the article was to do exactly that, to dispel myths and rebuke flaims (you would have known this had you read it), and you've just restated the original post in your final statement. Is karma really that important to you? Seriously, it's not even a number anymore.

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    Is your browser retarded?
  4. Re:Oh sweet lord... by nhavar · · Score: 5, Funny

    You know that's how the AI in the Matrix figured out how to use people as batteries. It all started as an experiment to see how much energy could be created by translating the heat exhaust from geeks reading crappy articles. Then they experimented with how much energy they could collect from the force of all the keystrokes entired in the ensuing flamefest. Eventually they just decided to use everyone as a battery.

    --
    "Do not be swept up in the momentum of mediocrity." - anon
  5. Bite that hook! by supabeast! · · Score: 3, Funny

    "...the DMCA is both an egregious law and a brazen power grab by Hollywood, the music industry and software companies", groups like the EFF are not much better, engaging in "fear-mongering" and scare tactics to increase opposition.""

    Let's all watch Declan McCullagh try to survive the next round of CNET layoffs by writing an article designed to piss off everyone on both sides of an issue, generating millions of hits for CNET! I wonder who the "anonymous reader" works for *cough*CNET*cough*.

  6. U.S. Missing Advocate - Declan McCullagh by idonotexist · · Score: 5, Funny

    After this and Declan's previous article (something along the lines, "there should be a seperation of techies and state"), which seem, well, non-Declan (who is generally a fierce advocate for freedom and is anti-DMCA) I am wondering if this is applicable...

    ** MISSING **
    Declan McCullagh
    ACLU Award: Free Speech
    Time Magazine Advocate for: Privacy
    Previous Plaintiff: Challenging the Communications Decency Act
    Anti-DMCA Efforts: Intervened in the landmark DVD/DeCSS lawsuit asking the court to open proceedings.

    Declan McCullagh was reported missing to the /. user community. He was last known to be in Washington DC, and is believed to have undergone philosophical changes upon employment with CNET's News.com.

    Incident Type: DMCA Abduction

    If you have information regarding the disappearance of this individual, please contact: the /. community at http://www.slashdot.org.

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    "There ought to be limits to freedom"
  7. Would McCullagh underwrite DMCA-lawsuit insurance? by dpbsmith · · Score: 3, Funny

    Would Declan McCullagh care to underwrite DMCA insurance for universities? Insurance that would pay all legal costs if the university is sued under the DMCA?

    If he's right, such insurance could be profitably provided at an affordable price. Sounds like a great opportunity.

    If he DOESN'T want to take that risk, then I don't see why universities, who are less well informed about the situation than he is, would ever want to assume it themselves.

  8. Re:Interesting... by armyofone · · Score: 3, Funny

    Does this mean that the RIAA, MPAA, and other proponents of the DMCA will be joining with Somalia, Uganda and Myanmar to complete the Axis of Occasionally Evil? Or will they just end up with Bulgaria, Indonesia and Russia in the Axis of Not So Much Evil Really As Just Generally Disagreeable?

    Actually, I think it would be best if they were to be granted their own axis. Maybe call it 'The Axis of Digital Evil'. Or, how about, 'The Axis of Evil Media Corporations Bent on Controlling All Our Base'. (Y'know, I really don't care as long as they don't try to make sheep wear lipstick - yecch :-)

    It's Monday, so are we supposed to hate them today? Or is that on Tuesdays and Thursday? If someone will please clarify, I promise to write it down this time. I have too much trouble remembering the schedule while watching my brand new copy of FotR...

    ;-]

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    "A revolution without dancing is... a revolution not worth having"