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Tempers Flare Over Ill-Tempered Sword Remarks

Posted by timothy on from the say-is-that-edge-sharp dept.

msaulters writes "The Austin American Statesman is reporting on Daniel Watson, a Hays County swordsmith who is suing a group of San Francisco-based techies, charging that they extorted him by posting negative comments regarding his sword-making business on the discussion forums they host and then offering to clamp down on such comments if he bought advertising with them. On the one hand, this sounds very chilling, as the defendants, Sword Forum International, are very well-known and respected in the world of sword-making, and abuse of that position would be very un-cool. On the other hand, they make some valid points in the article, and historically, the ability to express your opinions freely online is one aspect of the internet that arguably should never be curtailed."

8 of 69 comments (clear)

  1. Blackmail, Libel by stefanlasiewski · · Score: 4, Funny

    then offering to clamp down on such comments if he bought advertising with them.

    On the other hand, they make some valid points in the article, and historically, the ability to express your opinions freely online is one aspect of the internet that arguably should never be curtailed."

    Is Blackmail or Libel protected speech?

    --
    "Can of worms? The can is open... the worms are everywhere."
  2. so the website is mightier than the sword? by Sevn · · Score: 5, Funny

    someone was going to say it

    --
    For every annoying gentoo user, are three even more annoying anti-gentoo crybabies. Take Yosh from #Gimp for example.
  3. usually by falsification · · Score: 3, Funny

    In my experience, it's usually a bad idea to piss off somebody with a sword.

  4. He sells a sword called "Bringer of Tears" by HotNeedleOfInquiry · · Score: 3, Funny

    I think I have a new name for my laptop.

    --
    "Eve of Destruction", it's not just for old hippies anymore...
  5. Saber tattling? by icemax · · Score: 1, Funny

    Just another example of Saber Tattling by weapon manufacturers

    --


    __________
    Love conquers all... except CANCER
  6. Good lord, no wonder they removed it. by Sevn · · Score: 3, Funny

    I wonder if tinfoil hats help you channel the
    natural energy your body has as well as their
    swords do. That page had me singing the highlander
    theme song and saying "there can be only one!" in
    a chrisopher lambertesque voice.

    --
    For every annoying gentoo user, are three even more annoying anti-gentoo crybabies. Take Yosh from #Gimp for example.
  7. This shouldn't be settled in court... by raider_red · · Score: 2, Funny

    These two need to settle this like men. They should duke it out in a sword fight to the death at the next Texas Renaissance Fair.

    --
    It's good to use your head, but not as a battering ram.
  8. Re:On the contrary... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I've found a sword is a good tool for offing someones pisser!