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Google Removes Links in Response to DMCA Complaint

dioscaido writes "If you search Google for Kazaa Lite, you'll find the results a bit lacking. Ironically enough, Sharman Networks, using the DMCA, filed a legal complaint to block Kazaa Lite sites. " Google links the DMCA request at the end of the results which contain the URLs in question, but the URLs aren't really the point. It's scary that the DMCA makes URLs a copyright violation. How long before libraries can't index books? Or own them?

495 comments

  1. DMCA ... by Ezdaloth · · Score: 2, Funny

    Glad i live in Europe, such nonsense seems to be going a little slower here.

    1. Re:DMCA ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Last I cheked Google was on the internet which served the whole world. So if you use google, you can't search for kazaa lite anymore.

    2. Re:DMCA ... by Celt · · Score: 1

      It is indeed nice that we CAN make our voices heard if you want them to be heard.

      --
      "WebTV: bringing the Internet into the shallow end of the gene pool since 1995" - Martin Bishop
    3. Re:DMCA ... by RonnyJ · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Unfortunately, the same message is displayed on the google.co.uk version, where the DCMA should have no effect - why can't they just have the restriction on the .com site?

    4. Re:DMCA ... by mordejai · · Score: 2, Funny

      Europe?
      I live in Argentina... if that nonsense ever gets here, nobody will give a fuck.
      The same thing that happens with stuff like taxes, traffic lights, etc.

    5. Re:DMCA ... by zmooc · · Score: 4, Informative

      Because the domain is owned by Google Inc, not by an English entity that could be held responsible. The same for the netblock. So it's effectively just an USAian site which happens to have a pointer to it that ends in co.uk.

      --
      0x or or snor perron?!
    6. Re:DMCA ... by mystran · · Score: 2, Informative
      It seems, that when I do the search here in Finland, I get all the links as usually, so seems like the Google block is local to US.

      Just do you google searches through a european proxy or something..

      --
      Software should be free as in speech, but if we also get some free beer, all the better.
    7. Re:DMCA ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Doesn't seem to have been very effective, as I did a straight Google search using "kazaa" and found Download Kazaa Lite K++ 2.4.2 - Improved version of Kazaa LITE ! ... right on the first page.

    8. Re:DMCA ... by polyp2000 · · Score: 0

      >USAian site which happens to have a pointer to it that ends in co.uk.

      doing same search on UK only site, does not seem to filter out the results, I guess this is because the law does not apply .. yet in the UK

      --
      Electronic Music Made Using Linux http://soundcloud.com/polyp
    9. Re:DMCA ... by hackwrench · · Score: 1

      But that still isn't http://kazaalite.tk

    10. Re:DMCA ... by operagost · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      You insult Americans by calling us "USAians", yet you refer to the United Kingdom as "English", when it's composed of Wales, England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

      --

      Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
    11. Re:DMCA ... by eean · · Score: 3, Interesting

      We should just start using the Spanish word "estadounidense" as an adjective for the USA. In a context-less situation like the Internet, using the word American is not very specific and somewhat offensive. And USAians looks kind of silly.

      I guess its like how people suggest we should start using "libre" for Free Software to better differentiate it from free as in gratis software. I'm all for taking liberally from other languages when English isn't specific enough and another one is.

    12. Re:DMCA ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Isn't that ironic! A company that poo-poos the very idea of other people having copyright wants it for themselves, and has invoked the dreaded DMCA. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Fuck them! Give me my Napster back, and shut down Kazaa. It's nothing but a virus factory anyway!

    13. Re:DMCA ... by Wastl · · Score: 1
      It is also displayed in google.de (it is even translated to German), inspite of the fact that this domain is registered to a German entity:
      domain: google.de
      descr: Google Inc.
      descr: Valentinskamp 24
      descr: 20354 Hamburg
      descr: DE
      Sebastian
    14. Re:DMCA ... by EzInKy · · Score: 1

      You insult Americans by calling us "USAians"...

      That's right...they should be calling us "The Weans".

      --
      Time is what keeps everything from happening all at once.
    15. Re:DMCA ... by Blackknight · · Score: 1

      When you say American, everybody knows what is meant by that. American has become the common word for somebody from the United States.

      Of course, we all may end up speaking Spanish any way, if things continue like they have been.

    16. Re:DMCA ... by ihatesco · · Score: 1
      Glad i live in Europe, such nonsense seems to be going a little slower here.

      But with EUCD they made every single consumer a potential criminal. In some places (Italy for example) jailtime for illegal copying is higher than armed robbery and fraud.

      --
      "I am slashbot, hear me roar!"
    17. Re:DMCA ... by beowulfcluster · · Score: 1

      Uhuh? It seems they just hadn't gotten around to it yet. I did it just now:

      "Digital Millennium Copyright Act on valittanut 10 tuloksesta talta sivulta, ja siksi olemme poistaneet ne. Halutessasi voit lukea DMCA:n valituksen kyseisista tuloksista."

      Translation: Same as google.com

    18. Re:DMCA ... by matrix29 · · Score: 1

      Doesn't seem to have been very effective, as I did a straight Google search using "kazaa" and found Download Kazaa Lite K++ 2.4.2 - Improved version of Kazaa LITE ! ... right on the first page.

      Better solution... rename it KAZAA-LIGHT or KAZAAA-LITE or KAZAA LIGHT LITE. Google indexes words and words are alterable. Hits both spellings and changes little.

      --
      "Face it, a nation that maintains a 72% approval rating on George W. Bush is a nation with a very loose grip on reality.
    19. Re:DMCA ... by ahfoo · · Score: 1

      I was just pondering the same thing on a weekend trip to south-eastern Taiwan. Enforce copyrights? My god, there was no traffic light on a gigantic six way intersection in front of the main train station and most drivers seemed to prefer the aggressive chicken technique. People speak two or three of about six different dialects. We were glared down a group of Russian merchant marines walking around like a fist-to-fist recon platoon. Yeah, copyright issues will get all sorted out there real quick. Making sure the RIAA gets their props is the top priority all over the world right now. All those other local problems can wait.
      And even if Asians are too busy with other things to comply right away, I'm sure the people of the Middle East and Africa are very concerned about setting these things straight with their friends in corporate America as soon as possible. Who knows what horrors might happen if they delay another monent. The RIAA has really got things under control. Let's give them a big hand.

    20. Re:DMCA ... by Wolfrider · · Score: 1

      Don't forget:
      http://doa2.host.sk/
      http://www.k-lite.t k/

      --I don't even use Kaaa Lite myself (yet?) but I HATE censorship like this. I sent an email with these links to some of my friends along with details of how they're being censored, and said spread the word.

      --
      .
      == WolfriderV6 == I'm willing to admit that *I just might* be wrong... Are you??
    21. Re:DMCA ... by Rogerborg · · Score: 1

      English law applies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scots law applies in Scotland. If google.co.uk was hosted in Scotland, you'd have a point, but I highly doubt it.

      --
      If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
    22. Re:DMCA ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A suitable word has already been constructed: usonian (pronounced yoo-SO-nee-an)

  2. Er... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Thats 'Sharman' networks :)

    1. Re:Er... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Thats 'Sharman' networks :)

      Sharman? Isn't that what I wipe my ass with?

    2. Re:Er... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In Soviet Russia... the Sharman squeezes you!

  3. Ironic by heironymouscoward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    KazaaLite is a hack of Kazaa, and thus blatant piracy. But Kazaa itself is dubious stuff, filled with spyware. Sigh. Perhaps we will see a version of KazaaLite distributed through Kazaa?

    --
    Ceci n'est pas une signature
    1. Re:Ironic by SnowWolf2003 · · Score: 5, Informative

      When I installed the latest version of KazaaLite it automatically copied the installation file into my shared folder. Just search for klitekpp242e.exe on Kazaa.

    2. Re:Ironic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How about a binary patch?

    3. Re:Ironic by Celt · · Score: 1

      There software is very questionable alright so I'm amazed Google actually did what theye did, considering the RIAA/MPAA could do the same and get Kazaa de-listed.

      Nice that even if you can't get Kazaa-Lite off google in future atleast you can download it over Kazaa's OWN network :-)

      --
      "WebTV: bringing the Internet into the shallow end of the gene pool since 1995" - Martin Bishop
    4. Re:Ironic by JeffTL · · Score: 2, Insightful

      MUCH AGREED. KazaaLite is clearly crooked, and Kazaa is a piece of junk full of adware and spyware. My advice -- use open source software for filesharing, so you can scan over at least the filenames and comments of the sourcecode, or don't use P2P fileshare networks in the first place.

    5. Re:Ironic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      My advice -- use open source software for filesharing

      e.g. emule

    6. Re:Ironic by King_TJ · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I'm not even sure I'd classify Kaaza Lite as "clearly crooked" myself, much less "blatant piracy".

      Here's why I say that:

      Kaaza Lite was an attempt to "de-louse" all the spyware bundled up into Kaaza. If it was truly a piracy attempt (hijaacking someone else's code), they would have changed the name of the software and played things off like it was their own original work. None of this seems to be the case. In fact, every reference to Kaaza Lite I've seen makes it pretty clear that it, indeed, *is* the Kaaza software, except cleaned up so it won't fill your computer with unwanted "extras".

    7. Re:Ironic by Slack3r78 · · Score: 1

      I love emule, but I hope you're kidding. While emule does many things very well (ie: cd-images) the one thing kazaa does well (music) is something emule does very poorly.

    8. Re:Ironic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      For Christ's sake man, do you read what you write? That made my brain hurt.

    9. Re:Ironic by W32.Klez.A · · Score: 2, Informative

      Uh, explain to me how Kazaa does music well, because I've found Soulseek to be about 10 times better, if not more, than Kazaa, for music.

    10. Re:Ironic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I believe that Sharman Networks is attempting to sell a version of Kazaa called Kazaa plus, which is kazaa with new search and download features minus the banner ads and popups. Does this mean that it is spyware free? If so, then Kazaa lite is a threat to the sales of their "new and improved" software. Of course they are going to do what they can to cut off access to the hacked versions of their software.

    11. Re:Ironic by heironymouscoward · · Score: 4, Informative

      This may explain it.

      It may also explain why the latest release of KazaaLite is labelled "K++".

      As Jonathan Swift said:

      "So, naturalists observe, a flea
      Has smaller fleas that on him prey;
      And these have smaller still to bite 'em;
      And so proceed ad infinitum."

      --
      Ceci n'est pas une signature
    12. Re:Ironic by Unoriginal+Nick · · Score: 2, Informative
      Kazaa's license states:

      3.2 Except as expressly permitted in this Licence, you agree not to reverse engineer, de-compile, disassemble, alter, duplicate, modify, rent, lease, loan, sublicense, make copies, create derivative works from, distribute or provide others with the Software in whole or part, transmit or communicate the application over a network.

      Kazaa Lite is a modified version, and thus not allowed to be distributed. They don't have to claim it's their own original work for it to be piracy.

    13. Re:Ironic by xoboots · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Doesn't the subject give it away? Kazaa, which enables (or at least egenders) rampant piracy (or at least unauthorized distribution) is itself crying foul over their product being illegally distributed. Boo hoo.

    14. Re:Ironic by DickBreath · · Score: 4, Insightful

      KazaaLite is a hack of Kazaa, and thus blatant piracy.

      One obvious solution is to distribute a Kazaa Lite patcher that transforms a Kazaa into Kazaa Lite prior to installation. Now there is no copyright violation. Nobody is distributing even a patched version of Kazaa.

      Name this patcher program something completely different, without the word Kazaa in the name to eliminate trademark claims. Word of the patch would still spread just as it did for Kazaa Lite, and spread by the same mechanisms.

      --

      I'll see your senator, and I'll raise you two judges.
    15. Re:Ironic by Sphere1952 · · Score: 1


      Being the good conspiracy theorist that I am, I find it very interesting that Sharman had a part in it. Can you think of anyone who would be more interested in making the DMCA look silly? They had to have known what Google would do -- although the fact that Google is linking to a copy of the complaint at Chilling Effects is a real riot. Any attempt to break that link or get the complaint removed is a guarenteed 1st amendment case; with the lawyers involved from the start. Chilling Effects is run by lawyers who are already pissed off. People like Lessig, and Wendy Seltzer (see earlier slashdot article on Wendy's recently becoming EFF's council).

      --
      Big Brother Bush is doubleplus ungood.
    16. Re:Ironic by boneshintai · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The liscence agreement only affects you if you're installing the software. You need never see the agreement at all to go over the install program and manipulate it.

      It may well be a copyright violation, but it's not a liscence violation as the K Lite guys need never have agreed to the liscence.

    17. Re:Ironic by Slack3r78 · · Score: 1

      It does music well in the sense that you search for it, click it, and it downloads. With EMule, if you're looking for music, it'll take forever and a day to actually download because of the queueing system. It's great for larger files like CD images, but sucks for 3mb mp3s.

      I didn't say Kazaa was the best, simply that eMule isn't a viable replacement for it.

    18. Re:Ironic by EpsCylonB · · Score: 2, Informative

      kazaa is great for single songs, emule is much better for albums. If you are tired of getting fake files off kazaa then give soulseek a go, it is technilogically inferior to both emule and kazaa but I have yet to get a single fake song off of it.

    19. Re:Ironic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Noo!!!!
      Don't!!!

      Do you have any idea how stupid that is?? Never trust any binary (or source, for that matter) you find on a file sharing program. Most p2p clients should be configured to completely ignore those results.

      Dumb, dumb, dumb.

    20. Re:Ironic by the+gnat · · Score: 1

      Kazaa's license states: [ blah blah blah ]

      Yeah, and most of the stuff floating around the Kazaa network has similar legalese appended to it. But most of the people here don't seem to give a shit.

    21. Re:Ironic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      STFU about soulseek, n00b. Keep it on the d-lo. W3rd.

    22. Re:Ironic by binarybum · · Score: 1

      settle.

      If thousands of kazaalite users are automatically sharing this install file, the signal to viral ratio would be pretty high. I'd say the risk is minimal.
      Also, the nice thing about peer-to-peer is that bad data usually doesn't propegate that well.
      keep your virus scanner up to date and have a blast!

      --
      ôó
    23. Re:Ironic by Threni · · Score: 1

      "Kazaa, which enables (or at least egenders) rampant piracy (or at least unauthorized distribution) is itself crying foul over their product being illegally distributed. Boo hoo."

      So I guess you don't believe the laws against theft should be upheld if someone steals your video recorder or CD burner?

    24. Re:Ironic by Guspaz · · Score: 2, Informative

      You're forgetting that the FastTrack protocol was recently (Few months ago?) broken, and that there are opensourced programs that can connect to the FastTrack network (Kazaa's network).

      I believe it's a mod of OpenFT, though maybe by now they've integrated the FastTrack compatible code into the main fork.

      So, in other words, you now really can use opensourced programs instead of Kazaa to connect to the same network.

    25. Re:Ironic by JET+666 · · Score: 1

      show me how to make unlimted copies of a vcr at no cost

      --
      De sig boss de sig
    26. Re:Ironic by You're+All+Wrong · · Score: 1

      However, if the US is permitted to encourage Iranians to break Iranian laws (c.f. Anonymizer store few days back), then surely all we need to do is for a bunch of Iranian programmers to perform the reverse engineering and everything's square again. You spit at our laws, we spit at yours. Win, win situation (apart from the litigious tossers involved, that is).

      YAW.

      --
      Your head of state is a corrupt weasel, I hope you're happy.
    27. Re:Ironic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Kazaa Lite is now Kazaa Lite K++ because they are now working with the creator of K++, before they just bundle it together and called it K++ Edition.

    28. Re:Ironic by Alowishus · · Score: 1

      Yeah call the program DeSPYWARE, because never before has the DMCA been invoked to shut down linking to or distribution of program code which can be used to "pirate" other "intellectual property."

    29. Re:Ironic by NanoGator · · Score: 1

      "Kazaa, which enables (or at least egenders) rampant piracy (or at least unauthorized distribution)..."

      Technically it's the users enabling the rampant piracy. Kazaa doesn't really care much what you put on it.

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    30. Re:Ironic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I've been using WinMX ever since the first beta, and I have yet to download a single fake, and I've downloaded thousands of files. I don't know what the fuck you people are downloading, but I guess your behavious falls in the same category as people launching executable attachments from Outlook.

    31. Re:Ironic by xoboots · · Score: 1

      ...right, and guns don't kill--people kill. Yeah, I know. But you can't argue that the Kazaa service has a neutral effect on piracy. I'm not advocating one way or another--I'm just amused by the irony.

    32. Re:Ironic by NanoGator · · Score: 1

      " But you can't argue that the Kazaa service has a neutral effect on piracy."

      I think I can. If Kazaa disappeared, would it keep going? You betcha. People'd move on to whatever technology they can get their hands on to get what they want.

      The demand is the problem, not the means. The RIAA and the MPAA both would do a world of good for themselves to realize this.

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    33. Re:Ironic by xoboots · · Score: 1
      > If Kazaa disappeared, would it (piracy) keep going? You betcha.

      That hardly disproves the point--if Kazaa sudenly went off the air, the rate of piracy (stupid word, I admit) would drop--even if only until the next enabler came along. This should be sufficient to show that the rate of piracy is not neutral to Kazaa's presence. That it could be replaced is hardly the point.

      > The demand is the problem, not the means. The RIAA and the MPAA both would do a world of good for themselves to realize this.

      What does that even mean? First of all the "demand" isn't a problem at all. It is an indication that the system is not properly configured to the will of the people. If everyone is a thief, then its the law that is wrong.

    34. Re:Ironic by NanoGator · · Score: 1

      "That hardly disproves the point--if Kazaa sudenly went off the air, the rate of piracy (stupid word, I admit) would drop--even if only until the next enabler came along."

      Think about what you just said. Yeah, it would drop, a new solution would have to be settled upon.

      " This should be sufficient to show that the rate of piracy is not neutral to Kazaa's presence. That it could be replaced is hardly the point. "

      It is very much the point. Did the fall of Napster cause the numbers to go down?

      " First of all the "demand" isn't a problem at all. It is an indication that the system is not properly configured to the will of the people. If everyone is a thief, then its the law that is wrong. "

      Well, the law's a different discussion all together. You're right, the laws in this case are not respected. People want what they want, and the *AA isn't supplying what they want. All that's really left is civil disobedience. So yes, demand is very much at issue here. As long as people want Mp3s, for example, then it won't matter if Kazaa's around or not. The only way to really prevent those files from flying around is to shut down the net all together.

      I'll concede, though, that the harder it is to get the files, the less interesting piracy will be. There are only so many hoops one will jump through before the cost of a CD doesn't seem so big. However, that's not something Kazaa has control over. If Kazaa is stopped in such a way that only more difficult processes will work, then yes, you would be right. However, I have a seriously difficult time imagining how that would happen.

      I don't think our views are all that dissimilar.

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    35. Re:Ironic by xoboots · · Score: 1

      > Did the fall of Napster cause the numbers to go down?

      Temporarily, but yes, it sure did. I don't think I implied that Kazaa (or any other single entity) is the root and cause of all piracy. I continue to contend that they are contributory towards acts of so-called piracy. That's why I said that the fact that they can be replaced is not relevant because as long as they DO exist they enable a purpose of particular relevance in this new technological age. That doesn't mean that they are unique. It simply means that they are presently in the thick of it. That's what makes them crying foul so ironic in the first place.

      Never-the-less, your points are valid and well taken, particularly concerning your reasoning in regards to civil disobedience and the need to actually shut the net down to stop net piracy. I suspect that we are indeed somewhere in the same camp. But I disagree with your characterization that there exists a demand for piracy--I honestly don't know what that would mean. I *suppose* you mean that there is a desire for wider and looser distribution of otherwise copyrighted materials and if so, I heartily agree. Napster, Kazaa, et al show that distribution and copyright must be re-imagined in the face of the digital network era.

      My initial reason for posting was this: it bothers me that Kazaa would use--and therefore validate--the very same dispicable laws to do to others what the *AA (I like that, I'm going to use it) would have those laws do to them.

      Cheers and thanks for the replies!

    36. Re:Ironic by glumx · · Score: 1

      I disagree, I bet they reused the name because they wanted everyone to use their software, and Kazaa already had name recognition. What better reason to reuse the name?

    37. Re:Ironic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      MLdonkey supports all of:

      eDonkey (best for video)
      Fasttrack (ie. Kazaa)
      Soulseek (best for cool music)
      DirectConnect (good for video)
      Gnutella (yeah, who cares)

      and others. Give it a shot.

    38. Re:Ironic by mericet · · Score: 1

      I'm pretty sure a patch counts as a deriviative work, you can create it, but not distribute it.

    39. Re:Ironic by VendettaMF · · Score: 1

      Always preferred

      Big fleas have little fleas,
      Upon their backs to bite'em.
      And little fleas have lesser fleas,
      And so on, ad infinitum

      --
      kartune85 : Incapable of reason, observation or learning. A kind of dim, drab, flightless parrot.
    40. Re:Ironic by Rogerborg · · Score: 1

      Good argument, but by the same logic, why do you support Saddam Hussein?

      --
      If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
    41. Re:Ironic by Rogerborg · · Score: 1

      Depends on what it is. If it contains portions of the Kazaa exe, it's a derivative work. If, however, it's a bit of code that runs on the Kazaa exe and programatically modifies it (nooping or jumping over the branches that spawn the spyware) then it's free and clear, because the violation then becomes in using it, not in writing or distributing it.

      --
      If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
    42. Re:Ironic by Rogerborg · · Score: 1

      How exactly could the RI|MPAA do that to Kazaa? Describe the process, citing the DMCA as you go.

      --
      If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
    43. Re:Ironic by mericet · · Score: 1
      Are you sure about that? IANAL, but the law states "A ''derivative work'' is a work based upon one or more preexisting works", as far as I understand, if it contains portions of the original, only the delta is a deriviative work.

      A patch is all delta, and I think that means it is all a deriviative work. Otherwise the GPL could be easiliy circumvented by patching with proprietery code.

    44. Re:Ironic by Rogerborg · · Score: 1

      A patch doesn't have to be a delta though. Some (admittedly older) game cracks just modify the original exe by replacing a jump with a noop or a different jump. Perhaps K++ could do something similar, although as it's aimed at removing the spyware before it hits, that might bugger the point of it.

      --
      If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
    45. Re:Ironic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Piracy != theft. How many times? If I created a clone of your VCR, would you care? The manufacturer might, but then we're into the murky moral waters of whether I'd ever have paid full price for the VCR in the first place, and if not, whether the manufacturer has actually lost anything.

    46. Re:Ironic by mr_sas · · Score: 1

      if you configure a p2p client to ignore binary files you wouldn't get any results would you? Or am i missing something?

  4. Seems Overboard by Bobulusman · · Score: 1, Insightful

    People are going to find the URLs whether or not they are on google. It just seems pointless to remove them in an effort to curb downloading.

    About the worst this can do is drive more people back to spy/adware-laden Kazaa.

    --
    Cogito ergo sum in Slashdot.
    1. Re:Seems Overboard by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Which, if I wasn't so un-awake, I might have realized was the point. :P

    2. Re:Seems Overboard by Neophytus · · Score: 1

      About the worst this can do is drive more people back to spy/adware-laden Kazaa. Thats exactly what Sherman want.

    3. Re:Seems Overboard by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      htf is this insightful? It is the makers of Kazaa that had the links removed. They want people using the spyware ridden version.

    4. Re:Seems Overboard by TCM · · Score: 1

      People are going to find the URLs whether or not they are on google.

      Especially since google implicitly lists them by providing a link to the complaint at the bottom of the page with the search results. This was even stated in the summary..

      --
      Of course it runs NetBSD. BTC: 1NT7QvbetmANwaMzhpVL6
  5. Geeeeez! by winkydink · · Score: 0, Troll

    Google seriously needs to grow a pair.

    --

    "I'd rather be a lightning rod than a seismometer." -Ken Kesey

    1. Re:Geeeeez! by Zooka · · Score: 1

      No, it takes a pair to do the right thing, regardless of the unpopular reaction it may receive.

    2. Re:Geeeeez! by Jafafa+Hots · · Score: 1

      but they didn't do the right thing.

      --
      This space available.
    3. Re:Geeeeez! by Zooka · · Score: 1

      Well, my point is that I think Google did what they thought was in their own best interest. Not regarding whether providing links to sites that distribute hacked software is justifiable.

    4. Re:Geeeeez! by winkydink · · Score: 1

      I would agree if this were a judgement against them. This is only a complaint. That's cowardly in my book.

      --

      "I'd rather be a lightning rod than a seismometer." -Ken Kesey

    5. Re:Geeeeez! by dipipanone · · Score: 1

      When I can trade karma for a blowjob, then I'll give a shit

      I'm sure there are thousands of basement-dwelling geekboys who would be only too happy to oblige...

    6. Re:Geeeeez! by Jo+Owen · · Score: 1

      Whether they wimped out or not, you have to give it to them. They managed to abide by the copyright holders wishes, avoid a potential lawsuit, and still let people get hold of the links they may want (through reading the complaint). Wheather they wimped out or not, they were very clever about it.

  6. Foreign Google by kerneljacabo · · Score: 0

    Man, thats really scary now that they are trying to excercise that kind of control. I wonder if international google also lifted the links, since they arent under DMCA control.

    1. Re:Foreign Google by moonbender · · Score: 2, Informative

      Yes, they have. Or at least the German Google has. However, the second result, among many others, links to a German page promoting Kazaa Lite. (Note that the first result contains a so-called "dialer" - every German Slashdotter likely has heard of them -, ie. is basically a fraud to steal your money.) The German Google also has the same link to the letter they received.

      --
      Switch back to Slashdot's D1 system.
    2. Re:Foreign Google by spydir31 · · Score: 1

      My local one did, which is rather unsurprising really.
      Aren't the servers in the US?

    3. Re:Foreign Google by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It still works from here (Sweden), third result from the top is the official K-lite website, the first two articles promoting K-lite.

    4. Re:Foreign Google by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Apparently, www.google.ca, is unaffected at the moment. Will be interesting to see at what point in time, if any, something changes. Time: 11:52 a.m. Toronto, Canada.

    5. Re:Foreign Google by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oops, too late! The notice appears at the end of the search page in Canada. I'll be contacting politicians about this one. Chretien, do something, quit, or get out of the way! This is an appalling violation of rights of Canadians via U.S. censorship! I trust other /. readers in Canada will also publicize and work towards eliminating such outrages. Perhaps google should relocate their .ca servers to Canada, and therefore be out from under the leash of U.S. law. If not, then we should start a Canadian version of google, located in Canada, and let the U.S. google search engine die a slow death from various lawsuits requiring removal of URLs.

    6. Re:Foreign Google by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yup, they all seem to be in DC

  7. Kazaa Lite by ximor_iksivich · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Why is that people are always hesitant in adopting new technology? We seem to be growing more lethargic with technology each day. The only use we do is misuse. Maybe we need a visit from aliens like in star trek...

  8. Priceless. by acceleriter · · Score: 4, Interesting

    A company whose entire business model is based on facilitating copyright infringement calls "Smithers, unleash the hounds" on Google over another company it believes is infringing its copyright.

    --

    CEE5210S The signal SIGHUP was received.

    1. Re:Priceless. by aagren · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I don't get it. How would companies like Sherman Networks find sites to throw the DMCA at if it weren't for a site like google?

      If google decided not to cache any sites with the word 'kazaa' in it, I'm pretty sure that the users of it would find it anyhow, but the pointy haired suits at Sherman Networks would probably not find it as easely.

      Sounds to me like they are shooting themselves in the foot.

    2. Re:Priceless. by danila · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It's sad that Google decided not to do just that. Since they are under no obligation to index ANY sites, they could have just removed all pages that have high relevance on "kazaa" query. That would really send a message to the lawyers that you don't force search engines to filter results. Unfortunately, Google didn't do that and established an ugly precedent. It's good that they at least included the DMCA mention, but it's bad nevertheless. And it would be much better if the notice was at the top, on a bright red background, like a MEGA-SPONSORED link, so that noone could miss it. :) It would also be great if they listed in plain text the sites that they are prohibited from linking to. :) But alas, they were too frightened. :( I don't know why, because obviously, no sane judge would order Google to close, no matter what...

      --
      Future Wiki -- If you don't think about the future, you cannot have one.
    3. Re:Priceless. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Google didn't do that and established an ugly precedent.

      Google probably felt that they didn't have solid ground to fight on, at least right now. So they aren't establishing an "ugly precedent". Rather, they are just giving a little in an agreement that doesn't involve the courts. That makes it meaningless as far as precedent is concerned. It is much better than getting forced into action through a court decision, which would certainly grant more leverage to the RIAA in future battles.

    4. Re:Priceless. by CGP314 · · Score: 1

      The hounds that have bee`s in their mouths and when they bark bee`s shoot at you?

    5. Re:Priceless. by s20451 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Maybe because, for Google to work properly, their behavior has to be perceived to be absolutely neutral. Sure, they could have attempted to score political points through some childish strike at all "kazaa" queries, but they would have lost a lot of respect and made their site less useful, especially to researchers.

      There are a lot of interesting links between Google and the news media. Both present a great deal of information to the public, and both have a moral obligation to present the facts without bias or favor, even when they may have personal issues with it. Once the perception of impartiality is lost, the user can no longer count on reliable searches. If Google had taken some drastic action to score political points, I would have been inclined to find an alternative search engine.

      --
      Toronto-area transit rider? Rate your ride.
    6. Re:Priceless. by cyberformer · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The precedent is that Google will take down links under threat of DMCA, not a legal one. However, that precedent was actually set a long time ago, by the "Church" of Scientology demanding that Google stop linking to Xenu.net. (There may have been evene earlier cases with Google and DCMA, but that's the big one.)

      In the CoS/Xenu case, Google didn't stop indexing Scientology altogether; they just replaced the Xenu link with one to the DMCA notice. Following their own precedent, they have to do the same with Kazaa.

    7. Re:Priceless. by ilyag · · Score: 1

      Although this probably would've annoyed Kazaa, it would also greatly annoy anyone searching Kazaa on Google. I think Google doesn't do this because it doesn't want to annoy its customers. There might well be more people searching for Kazaa than there are people on Slashdot...

    8. Re:Priceless. by danila · · Score: 3, Insightful

      It's impossible to perceive it as neutral if they remove links at the request of others. Currently Google presents biased information regarding Kazaa Lite. I don't think blocking all Kazaa links for certain period (or may be just providing an empty results page with information for users about DMCA and Sharman's threats and a link for those who still want to search for "kazaa", which would lead to all searches, except lite). I am not suggesting they score any points, political or otherwise. I am just saying that bowing to unreasonable requests (legal, but that's an abuse of a bad law) doesn't present a search engine in the best light. I don't usually give a shit about boycotts and I will use Google if I decide that I need it, but for now my default engine is Altavista (and I e-mailed Google about it).

      Altavista is now a pretty good search engine. Sponsored links may be annoying, but they are clearly marked and can be removed by a simple Proxomitron filter (remove all pairs that include "*Sponsored*"). I just may be as happy with it, as I was with Google.

      --
      Future Wiki -- If you don't think about the future, you cannot have one.
    9. Re:Priceless. by N7DR · · Score: 1
      And it would be much better if the notice was at the top, on a bright red background, like a MEGA-SPONSORED link, so that noone could miss it.

      Hear, hear! Google is so good at its job that I usually only ever look at the first two or three links, and it's very rare that I actually have to scroll down to the bottom of the page, especially since by default I use the advanced search and list 100 links per page.

      I just did the experiment of searching for "kazaa lite", and I can guarantee that I would never have seen that notice hiding at the bottom of the 100 links on the first page if this slashdot story hadn't been posted.

      Worse, I am hardly likely to spot any similar notices when I do other searches, since I'm not likely to take the trouble to page down to the bottom on the offchance that there's a notice there. Ever since its inception, google has seemd to do everything right. But this seems to be clearly wrong. If they really want to remove the links, I concur that they should put the fact that they've tampered with the results in some prominent place where even bozos like me are guaranteed to see it.

    10. Re:Priceless. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A company whose entire business model is based on facilitating copyright infringement

      s/copyright infringement/file sharing/

      Surely you aren't blaming the tool for its user's behaviour? There are plenty of things you can use P2P for legitimately.

    11. Re:Priceless. by plugger · · Score: 3, Informative

      At the bottom of the Google results page is the statement saying that some results were filtered out and a link to the DMCA complaint. The complaint has all the links there in plain text. It is also hosted on chillingeffects.org, with links to explanations of the complaint's details.

      Google have done ok. They make sure that you know the search has been censored. The links that are missing are available via cut and paste. If you didn't know what the DMCA was before, Google link to a site which will tell you more than you wanted to know, and from a sceptical point of view.

    12. Re:Priceless. by jez9999 · · Score: 1, Flamebait

      Altavista is now a pretty good search engine. Sponsored links may be annoying, but they are clearly marked and can be removed by a simple Proxomitron filter (remove all pairs that include "*Sponsored*").

      You do realise that you're a complete piece of shit, don't you? Pretty much the least annoying advert possible, the most unobtrusive, no popup, just a text sponsored link that keeps the search engine free. And yet morons like you just HAVE to block it becuase it goes against your 'everything should be free for me' attitude. You suck.

    13. Re:Priceless. by NanoGator · · Score: 1

      "Sounds to me like they are shooting themselves in the foot. "

      They did worse than that. They shot themselves in the foot, then took a number of steps backwards. By using the DMCA to smack down Kazaalite, they've drawn attention to it. Any publicity is good publicity, right? KazaaLite will see a surge in activity before long. (assuming this story goes anywhere)

      All I have to say about Kazaa is "numbnuts".

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    14. Re:Priceless. by _Sharp'r_ · · Score: 2, Informative

      Google's policy is that after getting a DMCA complaint like this, they contact the owner of the site in question with a copy of the complaint and a time limit.

      The site in question can ignore it, in which case Google does like in this case, removing the entry and providing a link to the details of the complaint.

      However, if they site responds that they aren't infringing, Google will ignore the complaint and leave the site in search results, leaving it up to the two parties to duke it out with lawyers.

      In other words, Google stays "neutral" in the whole thing if it's disputed, but a site has to at least respond to the complaint in order for them to bother to refuse to delist them.

      --
      The party of stupid and the party of evil get together and do something both stupid and evil, then call it bipartisan.
    15. Re:Priceless. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No more google for me. I will be changing my home page on all compys now, most likely to av.com and saying goodbye to google.

    16. Re:Priceless. by mystran · · Score: 1
      Google have done ok.

      I agree with you here. This might even be a Good Thing after all, given that many ordinary people that normally might not care about things like DMCA might actually check the page out of curiosity, and see what it is..

      So basicly, I'm saying that Google blocking a site because of DMCA might actually result in growing anti-DMCA feelings among normal people.

      Might be that I'm just dreaming though..

      --
      Software should be free as in speech, but if we also get some free beer, all the better.
    17. Re:Priceless. by 16K+Ram+Pack · · Score: 1

      Google should have put a link to www.goatse.cx as the top search for Kazaa (don't go there from work).

    18. Re:Priceless. by danila · · Score: 1

      Nope. I can't get a credit card easily here, where I live. And since I don't live in the US, a lot of ads are irrelevant to me. I am therefore extremely unlikely to buy anything advertised at AltaVista. Since text advertisers usually pay per click, I don't deprive anyone from any revenue. I am not saying that anything should be free for me, I just disagree with the concept of advertisements. I don't want to see them, I have no legal or moral obligations to watch them, so I filter them out. You want to see ads, go ahead. BTW, can I have your e-mail address. Some people I know would be very glad to recommend you some excellent products and services...

      --
      Future Wiki -- If you don't think about the future, you cannot have one.
    19. Re:Priceless. by jez9999 · · Score: 1

      BTW, can I have your e-mail address. Some people I know would be very glad to recommend you some excellent products and services...

      Ah. But that would be spam, now wouldn't it? Unsolicited advertising, from people who have offered me no service, and therefore have no excuse to be pushing adverts at me.

      Not solicited advertising, from people who have offered me a service that I've asked for, and therefore have a perfectly good excuse to be pushing adverts at me.

      Yes, I do draw a big distinction.

    20. Re:Priceless. by danila · · Score: 1

      You do and I don't. ;) I never solicit advertising and giving me a service is not an excuse. May be in the US it is considered normal, but I certainly don't think so.

      Ads are evil. I am going to spend my income whether I see any ads or not. This is my contribution to the economy (or, more correctly, the work that I did to get this income). I don't see how watching ads would contribute anything extra. The distribution may vary - AltaVista is going to get less, but some other company will get more. I can certainly sleep at night knowing about this small market imperfection if I don't have to see ads. :)

      --
      Future Wiki -- If you don't think about the future, you cannot have one.
    21. Re:Priceless. by Rogerborg · · Score: 1

      Let's see. Fully half of the files that I used to download from the Kazaa network were mislabeled or mis-described. These are files sitting on the same hard drives of the the types of user that you think are savvy enough to turn a ban into a boon.

      If they're unable to comprehend the simple issue of renaming a god damn file on their hard drive, what chance that they can find something that they don't know about based on on evidence that they can't see?

      Seems to me like Sharman know exactly what standard of luser they want to attract.

      --
      If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
  9. strange... by di0s · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I thought Sharman Networks was incorporated in Australia. How can they use a foreign law like that?

    1. Re:strange... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There has been rumour in the ISP industry that the Australian Government would allow DCMA laws cross over.

      This was brought up some time ago, re: RIAA and having ISP's hand over names. Some ISP's told them to get stuffed, and others were about to hand them over the last time i looked.

      But, i dont know the tech. side of it...

    2. Re:strange... by novakreo · · Score: 1

      I thought Sharman Networks was incorporated in Australia. How can they use a foreign law like that?

      What goes around comes around.

      --
      O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!
    3. Re:strange... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And even searching google.com.au from Australia gives us the filtered results.

      Yanks, go home, and take your stupid laws with you.

    4. Re:strange... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As part of the ongoing "free" trade agreement.

      Things on the negotiation table include:
      * dropping our subsidised prescription drugs
      * dropping our quarantine restrictions
      * tightening our copyright laws
      * banning parallel imports

    5. Re:strange... by C10H14N2 · · Score: 5, Informative

      The Alien Tort Claims Act of 1789 allows it.

      The act gives Federal jusidiction over "any civil action by an alien for a tort only, committed in violation of the law of nations or a treaty of the United States." The ATCA can be used via proxy by non-US entities as long as they can establish some reasonable connection to a US entity, such as relatives (in the case of people) or parents/subsidiaries (in the case of companies). Since copyright is covered in numerous treaties, particularly the Berne Convention, it is open season.

    6. Re:strange... by Jah-Wren+Ryel · · Score: 1, Funny

      I thought Sharman Networks was incorporated in Australia. How can they use a foreign law like that?

      Because they are a corporation and American law gives more rights and less responsibilities to corporatations than they do to real people.

      --
      When information is power, privacy is freedom.
    7. Re:strange... by fasura · · Score: 0

      Google is a US company. Honestly, how did this get modded as insightful. You mods are so stupid.

      --
      -- Be careful what you say. Someone might remind you about it another day.
    8. Re:strange... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Verizon told the RIAA to go away, but a federal appeals court judge ruled in favor of the RIAA, and forced Verizon to hand over the names.

      The case is still under appeal.

    9. Re:strange... by SoulSkorpion · · Score: 1

      Damn. I was hoping America would keep its terrible laws to itself :/

  10. Sites still visible by inburito · · Score: 3, Redundant

    If you click on the bottom of the google screen to view the dmca-notice you can check out exactly which sites were blocked out. So instead of clicking you're going to have to cut-n-paste.

    1. Re:Sites still visible by vicviper · · Score: 1
      If you click on the bottom of the google screen to view the dmca-notice you can check out exactly which sites were blocked out. So instead of clicking you're going to have to cut-n-paste.

      You mean just like the article summary says?

    2. Re:Sites still visible by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Don't you mean "copy-and-paste"?

    3. Re:Sites still visible by pla · · Score: 1

      More than "still visible"...

      I just did a google search for "kazaa lite".

      It returned 90100 hits. But wait, I used the "advanced search" page, let's try the normal one...

      Oh, 361,000 hits. Wouldja lookit that!

      Apparently, Google either hoped to do this quietly, which Slashdot thwarted so Google undid it, or Google has decided t grow some balls and ignore such requests. I would personally hope the latter, or else we'll start seeing a new regular Slashdot posting, "Google's censorship of the week". ;-)

  11. A bit lacking by Melex · · Score: 5, Funny

    How is 372 000 results a bit lacking

  12. Of course... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    If you search Google for Kazaa Lite, you'll find the results a bit lacking.

    Incidentally, if you search Kazaa Lite for pretty much anything other than Top 40's Radio or pr0n you get similar results.

    1. Re:Of course... by gl4ss · · Score: 1

      well if i could get results like this there i would be quite glas..

      * Web
      Etsitty Webista kohdetta kazaa lite. Tulokset 1 - 20 / noin 158,000. Haku kesti 0.14 sekuntia.

      Wired News: Kazaa Lite: No Spyware Aftertaste ... Kazaa Lite: No Spyware Aftertaste. ... While Sharman is upset with the situation, it's
      these open networks, like Kazaa Lite, that have allowed file-sharing to grow. ...
      www.wired.com/news/mp3/0,1285,51916,00.html - 21k - 30 Aug 2003 - Valimuistissa - Samankaltaisia sivuja

      Edskes File Download Mirror ... com ke8.edskes.com le3.edskes.com le4.edskes.com le8.edskes.com me7.edskes.com
      ftp.edskes.com ftp1.edskes.com ftp2.edskes.com, Kazaa Lite K++ 2.4.1 English, ...
      home.hccnet.nl/h.edskes/mirror.htm - 64k - Valimuistissa - Samankaltaisia sivuja

      Telecharger.com : telechargement du logiciel KaZaA Lite
      KaZaA Lite. ... La difference principale est que KaZaA Lite a ete modifie afin qu'il
      ne contienne aucun logiciel espion, contrairement au programme d'origine. ...
      telecharger.01net.com/windows/Internet/ partage/fiches/22532.html - 33k - 30 Aug 2003 - Valimuistissa - Samankaltaisia sivuja

      Download Kazaa Lite K++ 2.4.2 - Improved version of Kazaa LITE ! ... ... Kazaa Lite K++ 2.4.2, Subscribe to this program, ... Most popular 10 programs in this
      category (File Sharing), Kazaa Lite K++ 2.4.2, Improved version of Kazaa LITE ! ...
      www.softnews.ro/public/cat/10/6/10-6-25.shtml - 70k - 30 Aug 2003 - Valimuistissa - Samankaltaisia sivuja

      www.kazaalite.de/
      1k - Valimuistissa - Samankaltaisia sivuja

      mp3-world.net :: Software :: Filesharing :: Kazaa Lite
      Kazaa Lite Ver. K++ 2.4.2 (Deutsch), Kategorie: Filesharing, Stand: 30.08.2003, Grosse:
      3337 MB, Lizentyp: Freeware. ... Home :: Software :: Filesharing Kazaa Lite ...
      www.mp3-world.net/d/software/programs/ mp3_search/2074.shtml - 30k - 30 Aug 2003 - Valimuistissa - Samankaltaisia sivuja

      Official Kazaa Lite K++ Website
      Kazaa Lite K++ is a FREE, clean and highly improved version of Kazaa.
      K-Lite Codec Pack for playing all your downloaded movies.
      www.kazaalitekpp.com/ - 2k - 30 Aug 2003 - Valimuistissa - Samankaltaisia sivuja

      KaZaA - KaZaA Lite Download
      Hier findest du:Die neue Version von KaZaA - KaZaA Lite zum Download Eine ausfuhtliche
      deutsche Hilfe und Anleitung zum Programm KaZaA - KaZaA Lite Jede Menge ...
      www.kazaa-hilfe.de/ - 32k - 30 Aug 2003 - Valimuistissa - Samankaltaisia sivuja**

      --
      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
    2. Re:Of course... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > If you search Google for Kazaa Lite, you'll find the results a bit lacking.

      Incidentally, if you search Kazaa Lite for pretty much anything other than Top 40's Radio or pr0n you get similar results.


      Hey, what's wrong with finding lots of porn? ;)

    3. Re:Of course... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually... I just used Kazaa to find and sample a great indie electronic French import band's latest album. When I first looked a month ago, no matter how many times I searched it wouldn't show up. KEXP, the greatest indie (mostly) internet radio station out there, didn't have it.

      Finally, I found it, and it's starting to spread.

      M83 - Dead Ghosts, Red Seas & Lost Cities. Check it out. Just remember to share.

  13. Not totally lacking... by st0rmshadow · · Score: 4, Funny

    I didn't try any of the links, but it looks like there's still a few download links. Of course, you could always go to www.kazaalitekpp.com to get it, anywa...oops, sorry DMCA.

  14. Uhm? by Richard_at_work · · Score: 4, Insightful

    How long before libraries can't index books? Or own them?

    Uhm, hasnt this already happened many many times in the past?

    1. Re:Uhm? by NickFortune · · Score: 1
      Umm...? A quick look at banned books reveals their number two item as Children of the Matrix by David Icke.
      "The reptilian-Illuminati know that the balanced fusion of male and female energy create a third and immensely powerful force and this is the real foundation of their obsession with the "trinity".
      Banned and Controversial books it says... Did the Reptillian Illuminati try to ban this gobbler, or is stupidity suddenly controversial?
      --
      Don't let THEM immanentize the Eschaton!
    2. Re:Uhm? by Rogerborg · · Score: 1

      Banned because the followers of Xenu can't tolerate anyone stealing their shtick.

      --
      If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
  15. And I'm just sure... by MoeMoe · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I'm sure that this is going to stop P2P activity.... I don't think it is too hard nowadays to find Kazaa K++ just by-

    Oh wait, check those searches again, I just did a search and it seems the spiders haven't gotten word yet, this just goes to show that no matter how much you wanna censor, you can't censor it all!

    --
    Business \Busi"ness\, n.;
    A scam in which all people involved perceive as beneficial...
    1. Re:And I'm just sure... by LostCluster · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Google's simply complying with the request and blocking the URLs that were validly mentioned in the takedown notice. However, Google's not going to do anything more than the law requires, so any new URLs that pop up will certainly get GoogleBot's attention and the cat and mouse game goes on...

    2. Re:And I'm just sure... by MunchMunch · · Score: 4, Interesting
      "Google's simply complying with the request and blocking the URLs that were validly mentioned in the takedown notice."

      The funny thing is, I noticed they demanded one additional site to be taken down, in addition to all the Kazaa Lite hosts: www.zeropaid.com.

      I'm not sure what your definition of "valid" is, but I did a quick check over at the site, which is a file sharing news site, and there was no actual Kazaa Lite software onsite. Instead, the software download link pointed to one of the sites mentioned in the DMCA takedown demand. In other words, looks like they weren't just going after the biggest sites that had the software, but a site that even only linked to the software site. In otherwords Google had to remove a link to a link. I'd say that's going a bit far beyond what even the DMCA thinks is valid.

    3. Re:And I'm just sure... by naph · · Score: 1
      but what (using your analogy) the cat actually gets the mouse? what if it becomes law that google can't index links that breach the dmca? they'd have to check not only each new site they are going to index to make sure it doesn't breach dmca, but all the sites they are currently indexing to make sure they haven't fallen out of compliance.

      and that really would be a horrible state of affairs for the internet. maybe projects like nutch are the only way internet searching is going to advance in the future. or would even this service fall under the same restrictive laws?

      --
      "if i'd known it was harmless, i'd have killed it myself"
    4. Re:And I'm just sure... by LostCluster · · Score: 1

      And what if the sky falls? That'd be a horrible state of affairs for the world too...

    5. Re:And I'm just sure... by wfberg · · Score: 1

      Google's simply complying with the request and blocking the URLs that were validly mentioned in the takedown notice. However, Google's not going to do anything more than the law requires, so any new URLs that pop up will certainly get GoogleBot's attention and the cat and mouse game goes on...

      Google is doing more than the law requires. If Google simply did nothing, that would be a valid alternative in the eyes of the law. However, they would assume liability for any claims of contributory infringement -- or rather, pulling the links in response to a DMCA notice ensures that any contributory liability will not arise. The DMCA is intented to protect cowardly companies, and is used as such by Google.

      --
      SCO employee? Check out the bounty
    6. Re:And I'm just sure... by the+shoez · · Score: 1

      Here's a slight tangent, and this is where the lawyers actually come into their own... Those little rascals can be pliable with the interpretation of the evidence. This means including sites which may have scant relation to the complaint. The "takedown" notice (how american) says they *believe* the content to be infringing. The also law provides the accused with a means of refuting these claims. Would you, the site owner be willing to file such a rebuttal against a reasonably larger entity ? Fair enough, Sharman, not exactly a FTSE100 blockbuster... but I'd be put off. Look at 2600 ;-)

      However, and I may be mistaken, but hasn't some version, somewhere, of the Kazaa spyware-free software been released bearing the Zeropaid URL ?

      ... err, just to deviate

      --
      &lawyers($instruction);
  16. Hmmmm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The first result from google.co.uk seems to be valid.

  17. Watch this site for further info on this takedown by MsGeek · · Score: 4, Informative
    http://www.chillingeffects.org/

    It's a good source for information on exactly this subject. No, I don't run it. ;-)

    --
    Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared is power multiplied.
  18. Same old same old by achurch · · Score: 4, Informative

    This has happened before. I don't think the DMCA complaint was very effective that time, either.

  19. The DMCA Complaint... by Psx29 · · Score: 1

    Is providing a link to the DMCA complain that lists the infringing sites in violation? If not, then there is really no point to taking down any results in the first place...

    1. Re:The DMCA Complaint... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't think it's wrong to inform your users of changes/orders. The fact that it basically makes Sharman's effect minimal is just a coincidence...

      I love Google.

    2. Re:The DMCA Complaint... by Chordonblue · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Which is really what's funny about this. By so helpfully providing the links in the complaint, one needs to only do a little more searching.

      It would've been a LOT more fun had they actually linked them all... :)

      --
      "...Well, there's egg and bacon; egg sausage and bacon; egg and spam; egg bacon and spam; egg bacon sausage and spam..."
    3. Re:The DMCA Complaint... by 1u3hr · · Score: 1
      Is providing a link to the DMCA complain that lists the infringing sites in violation? If not, then there is really no point to taking down any results in the first place...

      The point is that Google has complied with the letter of the law.

    4. Re:The DMCA Complaint... by geek2003 · · Score: 1

      I just added my signature to the growing list of supporters (only 29000 signatures though) for freedom of speech/expression... Might hit 100k soon with some decent slashdotting :-)

  20. Ironic by silverhalide · · Score: 4, Informative

    I thought the RIAA had a part in this, noticing references to Kazaa and DMCA. I find it a little unusual that Sharman had a part in it. Oddly enough the links are still quite available, and search results now point to K++ (a better Kazaa derivative), and the original links are still available. Seems almost like a "Screw you" gesture by google to Sharman if you ask me. Just goes to show that once the cat is out of the bag on the net, its almost impossible to recover it.

  21. UK google by FrostedWheat · · Score: 1

    What I'd like to know is why the UK google has removed the sites also. The Canadian google is the same.

    Are these international based Google's served from the USA?

    1. Re:UK google by Neophytus · · Score: 1

      They are all in the same data centre, so technically it is still an american service.

    2. Re:UK google by Simon+Lyngshede · · Score: 1

      Try doing a traceroute on google.co.uk or any other international Google. I think you will find that you end up somewhere in the US regardless of which Google you choose.

  22. let's distribute by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    download kazaa lite here

    1. Re:let's distribute by Lumpy · · Score: 0

      You know one of the biggest things I hate about Kazaa... the adware and spyware...

      Kazaa lite is just as scumbaggy about. they force you to turn off pop-up blocking so they can nail you with tracking cookies and attempts to install gator and other crud.

      sorry but the kazaa lite people are just as scummy as the kazaa people... if not more scummy.

      anyways, it doesnt stop you from getting the link.. go in the DCMA link and they give you the url they blocked.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  23. It's time to put the DMCA to FAIR USE by Natchswing · · Score: 4, Interesting
    I think it's time that the online community to the responsible thing and take care of the DMCA. It's time for everyone to start drafting letters.

    Create a nice recording of some chimes, name it chimes.wav. Now, write letters to ISPs around the saying that someone with chimes.wav (a standard windows installed WAV file) is violating your copyright.

    If everyone on slashdot sends a dozen bogus requests, all around the same time, and completely flood the ISPs and halt their ability to respond to these requests then I think we'd see finally see an uproar of the problems this bill causes.

    The RIAA can send out bogus claims, why can't we help them make the DMCA so obnoxious that it must be stopped?

    1. Re:It's time to put the DMCA to FAIR USE by LostCluster · · Score: 3, Informative

      Because you expose yourself to a lawsuit by whomever you complained about every time you make a bogus claim. A small handful of users won't have enough resources to sue the RIAA, but the major ISPs would certainly help their users file a class action lawsuit against you...

    2. Re:It's time to put the DMCA to FAIR USE by Natchswing · · Score: 1

      Nobody said the return address had to be real. It's not like the ISP is going to check the source address first.

    3. Re:It's time to put the DMCA to FAIR USE by Natchswing · · Score: 1

      Look at that, you can even get a model letter to use. Everyone make some minor modifications to this letter and send out some copies. Once we get Microsoft and SCO banned from the search engines (after all, SCO infringes on my copyright of Steve's Colored Onions) then we'll see what happens to the DMCA.

    4. Re:It's time to put the DMCA to FAIR USE by shark72 · · Score: 1

      A DMCA-style infringement claim requires signed statements, valid phone numbers and e-mail addresses, and other items to prevent bogus and other "nuicance" claims. Filing a bogus claim will get you in hot water, both with the ISP and the user whom you've falsely targeted. Rather than halt the ISP's ablity to respond to your fake request, they'd likely respond in a way which would not turn out well for you at all. As we saw with the RIAA "usher" incident, even making a genuine mistake can cause a lot of grief.

      --
      Sitting in my day care, the art is decopainted.
  24. WTF by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Someone needs to give google a lesson in civil disobedience.

    1. Re:WTF by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Why?

      Google has a link on the search page to the complaint, with a heading informing Googlers what is and that links have been removed because of it. Click to that complaint, and you see the links.

      Google's sticking to the letter of the law, yet circumventing the censorship completely. Kudos to them.

  25. In the sponsored links too by Chuck+Chunder · · Score: 1
    The first site listed in the DMCA complaint is:
    http://www.kazaagold.com
    The second "Sponsored link" is
    Free Kazaa Gold
    Faster Downloads, No Advertising
    No Subscription Fees, 100% Private
    www.kazaagold.com
    A bit of an oversight there I guess....
    --
    Boffoonery - downloadable Comedy Benefit for Bletchley Park
    1. Re:In the sponsored links too by Reziac · · Score: 1

      I didn't get that one, but following the link in the /. blurb, I got "Searched the web for kazaa lite. Results 1 - 10 of about 373,000."

      Methinks they're gonna have to work a bit harder at blocking it. ;)

      --
      ~REZ~ #43301. Who'd fake being me anyway?
  26. You mean people still use kazaalite? by Col.+Panic · · Score: 2, Informative

    search "k++"

    workd for me this morning

  27. Libraries should pay royalties?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    How long before libraries can't index books? Or own them?

    That is quite interesting question. Let's start to think about it.. Why should libraries have the right to loan copyrighted material such as books and audio CDs to people? People are not paying royalties to anyone when they read a book or listen to CD that is loaned from library. Isn't this wrong?

    1. Re:Libraries should pay royalties?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      It's fair use. Letting other people borrow your copy of a copyrighted item. As long as you aren't making multiple copies, you can give that copy that you bought to other people. What is scary is this: No public access to online journals

    2. Re:Libraries should pay royalties?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, what if a single person would start doing what libraries do - what if a single person would start loaning his music CDs and books to anyone interested? What if he/she would go to the marketplace and offer his CD collection to anyone interested? Would it still be fair use?

      Consider Kazaa as a way to "loan" your CDs to your friends. In reality when you have files on Kazaa shared folder, you're acting like a library - you loan your CDs to anyone interested. It's just an effective way of loaning. People from all over the world can loan your CDs. They are the ones who are violating the copyrights if they don't delete the files after listening the CD or watching some movie you shared on Kazaa.

      So, my question is - HOW DOES KAZAA DIFFER FROM ANY ORDINARY LIBRARY??

    3. Re:Libraries should pay royalties?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You are asking what if someone loaned their CDs or books to anyone interested? It would be fair use. There is nothing special about a library that allows them to lend books and music to people. Anyone could create their own personal library and lend to the public.

      An interview with an RIAA official on NPR described it like this: You bought a specific copy of a piece of music. You can lend that specific copy but you can't make a copy of that copy. Also since you own the tape of the music doesn't mean you should be able to get the CD version. Their reasoning was that you bought the tape version, not the right to all copies of the music. Libraries buy a specific copy and lend it out just like you can do. Kazaa makes new copies available which is their problem.

      Now copyright law doesn't say anything about making copies except in the case of fair use so the RIAA isn't probably on strong ground but with money comes power so who knows what judges and legislature will decide about this.

      I'm not saying that I don't use Kazaa and don't have gigs of MP3s (borrowed from friends of course... fair use!) but I'm explaining the RIAA argument.

      Your last question really bothers me. It seems as if you don't think using Kazaa is illegal. Do you think it should be legal or do you not understand the difference between Kazaa and a library? The only confusion should be can you lend electronic versions like a file downloaded from iTunes. When you lend someone a copy, should you delete your own copy? Can you lend a specific copy of a piece of music when that copy is electronically stored? This is the question you should be asking right about now.

      And who cares about music. Didn't you read the linked article about journals at libraries? That pisses me off far more than the RIAA.

    4. Re:Libraries should pay royalties?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Anyone could create their own personal library and lend to the public.

      Now, this is really interesting!!! Is it really so? This is what I've been wondering.

  28. What would possess them to do this? by ndnet · · Score: 4, Insightful

    While K++ does put a dent in their business model, why do this? It seems like a good idea, but has one fatal flaw:

    It legitimizes the suit against them.

    Think about it: in both Kazaa and Google, the method of infringement, if it exists, is the same: Allow search results that may or may not be pirated.

    By basically validating the complaint against them, they allow RIAA to argue the same point very easily, except in this case it is a blood-thirsty industry group instead of a small computer company.

    Oh, well... It doesn't matter, because the next filesharing tool will rise up fast.

    1. Re:What would possess them to do this? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It doesn't legitimize or villanize a thing, since it wasn't decided by a court.

    2. Re:What would possess them to do this? by alnielsen · · Score: 2, Interesting

      You want to know why they would do this? Follow the money. Kazaa is going to start a premium service. This "Kazaa Plus" is to cost $29.95 and will give you what you can all ready get for free with Kazaa Lite w/K++.

    3. Re:What would possess them to do this? by Sphere1952 · · Score: 1


      It doesn't legitimize anything. Follow the path from Sharman to the Chilling Effects database -- thanks to Google, at least in part.

      I think the DMCA just got screwed.

      --
      Big Brother Bush is doubleplus ungood.
    4. Re:What would possess them to do this? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I just use Earth Station Five (www.es5.com) Not quite as fast as Kazaa Lite, but at least you know they're willing to stick it to the Recording Industry.

  29. Google is an 'enabler' by militantbob · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Google is being pushed into all of this 'URLs are copyright violations' stuff based on the same ideas used to attack Napster and Kazaa. Essentially, Google is an 'enabler', a willing gateway to property crime. Napster and Kazaa let you search for the property itself. Google lets you search for the tools to search for the property you intend to steal.

    Attacking Google is simply the next logical step, if one has already asserted the culpability of Napster.

    However, I disagree with the idea that Sony is guilty of 'enabling' child pornography by making laptops and CD burners and camcorders. All are legitimate products turned to illegitimate uses. Just like Napster and Google.

    And just like guns, for that matter. Suing gun manufacturers whenever someone chooses to turn a tool into the apparatus of crime is the same thing. And it's equally as wrong.

    A side note about public libraries and such: I've never been able to reconcile my views on individual sovereignty and property rights in relation to public libraries and schools. Thomas Jefferson and I had the same problem.

    An individual should not be forced to pay taxes to fund a program for the benefit of others. Yet an uneducated populace is an easy target for propaganda and dictatorship.

    Of course, I won't take the time to cover the property rights of authors and publishers in regards to the free lending (which amounts legally to 'public display') of copyrighted material.

    --
    "The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of Patriots and Tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
    1. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by Alien+Being · · Score: 1

      "Google is an 'enabler', a willing gateway to property crime."

      George Carlin said "Mother's milk leads to everything."

    2. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And just like guns, for that matter. Suing gun manufacturers whenever someone chooses to turn a tool into the apparatus of crime is the same thing. And it's equally as wrong.

      I agree with your point that you can't sue gun manufacturers, but I would like to know what purpose a "tool" such as a Bushmaster .223, for example, actually serves? Surely it's not for hunting deer?

    3. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by militantbob · · Score: 1

      Actually a Bushmaster .223 is a fine deer rifle. Essentially a fancy version of the .22 I shot my first deer with, which means it would be great for a jugular shot at 50 to 200 yards in light cover. One clean shot would drop the target fast and without much suffering or damage to the meat. Light enough to run with if your shot is off and the deer is hurt but on his feet and you want to take him down quickly.

      --
      "The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of Patriots and Tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
    4. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by adrianbaugh · · Score: 1

      An individual should not be forced to pay taxes to fund a program for the benefit of others. Yet an uneducated populace is an easy target for propaganda and dictatorship. i) Why not? That is what being a citizen of a country is all about. ii) It benefits you that there are libraries around that you can use, just as much as everyone else. Exactly the same argument could be made about public funding of road building, or public funding of the police (the police is a program that benefits others). Except that if you claimed that you shouldn't have to pay taxes to fund the police you'd sound ridiculous. iii) If the majority of people get their education from public libraries, be worried!

      --
      "'I pass the test,' she said. 'I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel.'"
      - JRR Tolkien.
    5. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by militantbob · · Score: 1

      MM, see:

      "that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed

      So a police force is legitimate for tax funding because it is an agent of government to repel attempts by others to use force or coercion to violate your rights.

      Proper governments exist simply to stop one man from taking the life, freedom, or property of another.

      --
      "The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of Patriots and Tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
    6. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by fuzzix · · Score: 1

      "And just like guns, for that matter. Suing gun manufacturers whenever someone chooses to turn a tool into the apparatus of crime is the same thing. And it's equally as wrong."

      Erm, guns aren't tools, they're weapons. They serve a single purpose and it's not all that helpful.

    7. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by Mac+Degger · · Score: 3, Insightful

      "An individual should not be forced to pay taxes to fund a program for the benefit of others"

      Yup, he should...that's part of the social contract you sign up to when you decide to live in a society. You can always move off and become a hermit if you don't agree. It's harsh, but it is one or the other.

      Not only that, but by paying for things like education, infrastructure and environmental programs you ensure that there is less crime, a road to travel to your work on and that you live in a place where the air is breathable...all things which directly affect you. And that is why the government is allowed to force you to pay...because otherwise you're enjoying the benfits which others are paying for.

      --
      -- Waht? Tehr's a preveiw buottn?
    8. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by militantbob · · Score: 1

      Amendment X

      The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

      Show me where the Constitution gives the Federal government the power to do those things you listed. Please.

      --
      "The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of Patriots and Tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
    9. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Spoken like a true utopian.

      The single purpose guns serve couldn't get any more helpful. Life (all life) is about reproduction. If you kill off all your competition, guess what? Your genes are most likely going to dominate the gene pool relatively soon.

      Now, I'll grant you that this isn't a survival trait for a society...but society is a construct. It's not real. Food is real, death is real. Look at any society that is in a state of famine. Look at who is eating. That's right, the guy with a gun.

      Tell you what, if there's ever a worldwide famine (there should be one relatively soon) you can come to my house. I'll let you watch me eat the food my tool let me keep.

    10. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      US. Constitution, Article 1, Section 2:

      Representatives and DIRECT TAXES shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.

      Emphasis mine.

    11. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by ATMAvatar · · Score: 1

      I thought the real precedent for this was forcing websites to remove DeCSS links.

      --
      "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
    12. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by militantbob · · Score: 1

      The power to lay and collect taxes is limited in that it only applies to the funding of government powers to execute responsibilities specifically enumerated in the Constitution.

      I'm not anti-tax. What I'm against is government taking upon itself an ounce of power beyond what is necessary to secure the borders, enforce contracts, and prevent one man from killing or robbing another. The three legitimate functions of government are a police force to stop internal force/coercion, a military to stop external assaults, and a judiciary to arbitrate contract disputes and judge and punish criminals. (Legislature would fall under judicial, in a round-about sorta way, as it is responsible for deciding what *is* a crime - and it should not criminalize any act that victimless, such as prostitution or gay marriage)

      --
      "The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of Patriots and Tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
    13. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by militantbob · · Score: 1

      good point. had forgotten about that one. i could see forcing the removal of ACTUAL DOCUMENTS that contained illegitimate registration keys for commercial software... but not links to those documents, nor links to source code that doesn't rip copyrighted material, only decodes and plays it.

      --
      "The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of Patriots and Tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
    14. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by DickBreath · · Score: 1

      Google is an 'enabler', a willing gateway to property crime. Napster and Kazaa let you search for the property itself. Google lets you search for the tools to search for the property you intend to steal.

      The phone book is an enabler. I can search for casinos, gay escort services, and other things that some people don't like, but that are being successfully run as businesses. Although this is not a perfect comparison. Presumably, the businesses I mentioned are being legally run, even though there might have been lots of controversy in licensing them or even in allowing them to continue to exist.

      So to go back to Google. Let's suppose Kazaa Lite is not legal, being a copyright violation. Any directory which might point to something that is not legal could come under this same threat. So is it now illegal to discuss illegal things, or to indicate where they are or may be obtained? Is it illegal? Should it be illegal? What about when the index is purely automated? Google might very well be able to tell you where to obtain other illegal things.

      --

      I'll see your senator, and I'll raise you two judges.
    15. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by roystgnr · · Score: 1


      Yup, he should...that's part of the social contract you sign up to when you decide to live in a society.

      "You agreed to this, even if I don't have your signature and even if the conditions were not presented to you until after you already received the product" is how EULAs are supposed to work. What makes your contract any different?

    16. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by Lothsahn · · Score: 1

      Actually, I would have to say that guns serve two purposes:

      1) To kill people. Plain and simple, guns have been used for years as a weapon for killing people. This would be generally considered the "bad" use of guns.

      2) For self-defense. Although this is related to #1, it's not the same thing. For instance, many police carry guns on their belt for self-defense. Although guns provide self-defense by allowing #1 to occur, police don't carry guns for the purpose of killing people. They carry guns, and attempt to use them to persuade people to give up while committing crimes, or to stop the other person from attacking them, if necessary.

      3) To prevent tyranny. It's no coincidence that Hitler first removed all weapons from the hands of his populace before instituting his laws and racist decrees. Once people could no longer defend themselves, they are easy sheep to slaughter. I know many of you think this could never happen in the US, but the entire known history shows us that it's just a matter of time. All historical governments, given enough time, have devolved into tyrannies. I don't see exactly why the US would be any different than the rest of history.

      So I think it's a bit oversimplified to say that guns have only one purpose, and it's not all that helpful. While I'd say that #1 is bad, it provides the existance of purposes 2 and 3 which are very helpful purposes.

      --
      -=Lothsahn=-
    17. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by Nucleon500 · · Score: 1
      Google doesn't just let you search for illegal tools (ugh! illegal tools?), I'm sure you can find illegal stuff there too. Just this morning I used Google to find and pirate a copy of nibbles.bas. It's the same as the SMB share indexer that got a bunch of college kids sued. It's a scary thought, but everyone seems to think the DMCA applies to indexing services.

      A search engine would be completely impractical if it wasn't automated. It's not possible (as the BSA has shown) to censor copyright infringement in an automated fasion with no collateral damage. Search engines and indexes must not be made liable for the content they index, but do not serve.

      I'm surprised Google isn't more against this than they seem to be. If I were them, I at least would have put the removal notice in bigger text at the top of the page. Don't they realize the huge legal liability they'd have if you were liable for the content you link to? Do they lobby against the DMCA?

    18. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by eris_crow · · Score: 1

      There's a couple of problems with your argument. The first is that people do not usually choose to live in a society. Instead they are born into it and as often as not have little, if any, power to go anywhere else.

      The second is more insidious: where can I go to live as a hermit? Name one place on Earth that some society does not claim control over. Antarctica? I am afraid it is impossible to live there as the climate is too inhospitable. No, at this point it is no longer possible to simply leave society and live independently because wherever you go, there is already someone else there waiting to tell you what to do. As a result, the "social contract" theory is now meaningless. It is not possible to give one's consent to the contract, even passively, and government is exposed for what it truly is: the largest and most successful mob. Taxes? Protection money. Social services? Mob bosses grant favors to their supporters, too, you know.

      And don't even get me started on the ludicrous claim that the government makes the air more breathable. I live in Houston, Texas and used to work at the M.D.Anderson Cancer Center. There is a reason that the worlds best cancer hospital (sorry Sloan :-) is in Houston - we have more cancer that most other places, and the reason for that is the polution in the air and water to which the government continually turns a blind eye in exchange for bribes (e.g. campaign contributions). Until recently it was actually illegal for the Texas Natural Resource Coservation Commision (the state equivalent of EPA) to investgate complaints based on evidence they did not gather themselves. They were also forbidden to do pollution monitoring at night. Funny how the refineries always smell worse after dark.

    19. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by rokzy · · Score: 1

      because a "social contract" benefits society by restricting the things individuals can do. majority benefit > minority benefit.

      whereas a EULA restricts the rights of a majority (everyone except the owner) for the benefit of a minority (the owner).

    20. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by TheGratefulNet · · Score: 1

      Google lets you search for the tools to search for the property you intend to steal.

      "and I have seen into the minds of those who intend to steal things by googling for pointers to pointers. I am RIAA. fear me. bwahahaha!"

      --

      --
      "It is now safe to switch off your computer."
    21. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by moncyb · · Score: 1

      However, I disagree with the idea that Sony is guilty of 'enabling' child pornography by making laptops and CD burners and camcorders. All are legitimate products turned to illegitimate uses. Just like Napster and Google.

      Why disagree? Maybe if the public pushes it--estabilsh the anti-p2p / anti-url fight as precedents to linking Sony's laptops to child pr0n and linking News Corp's and Disney's[1] movies to inciting teen violence, drinking, and smoking. After a few multibillion class actions, they will do a 180. Maybe they won't even exist anymore.

      An individual should not be forced to pay taxes to fund a program for the benefit of others. Yet an uneducated populace is an easy target for propaganda and dictatorship.

      Ummm...a populace educated by state run schools and state run libraries is a perfect target for propaganda and dictatorship. Think about it. In fact, don't bother, just look around. It is easy to see.

      [1] Disney's companies make more than cartoons.

    22. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by _Sharp'r_ · · Score: 1

      Your democracy is what, four wolves and two sheep voting to see who gets eaten for dinner?

      I never signed a social contract wherein I agreed to support the "majority" simply because I have stuff they want. The point of our Constitutional Republic is to protect people's rights (including the right to the _pursuit_ of happiness), not to redistribute wealth to try and make everyone's outcome "fair".

      --
      The party of stupid and the party of evil get together and do something both stupid and evil, then call it bipartisan.
    23. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by adrianbaugh · · Score: 1

      I would argue with your assertion that "the pursuit of Happiness" is equivalent to "the protection of property". And that still doesn't address my point about public-funded road building. Perhaps they should all be built by Ford, Nissan etc. and paid for by higher car prices?

      --
      "'I pass the test,' she said. 'I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel.'"
      - JRR Tolkien.
    24. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by militantbob · · Score: 1

      I would argue with your assertion that "the pursuit of Happiness" is equivalent to "the protection of property".

      Then please do so. Present your arguments, and your evidence.

      And that still doesn't address my point about public-funded road building. Perhaps they should all be built by Ford, Nissan etc. and paid for by higher car prices?

      Well now. Roads would be one area that may be open to public funding. But never through any kind of income tax - personal assessment taxes are too invasive and are, in essence, an end-run around the 4th Amendment.

      A tiny sales tax on retail goods would be sufficient. And that tax would be *moral*, in the sense that you are purchasing something which was delivered via public roads - so you can contribute to the maintenance of those roads. Everyone purchases, or at the very least, consumes what others purchase for them, so no one gets shafted on the deal.

      The above applies to city, county, and State roads. But what about interstate highways? Well, the Federal government has the power to regulate commerce between the States, and part of that is authority over navigable waterways. It says nothing about roads. Roads are not commerce and they aren't waterways. The Feds have no authority, although they may present a reasonable argument to play the part of negotiator or broker. It's entirely a State-to-State cooperative matter.

      --
      "The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of Patriots and Tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
    25. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by Rogerborg · · Score: 1

      Thanks for your touching circa 1997 views on the subject. What you're almost certainly unaware of is that the DMCA cease-and-desist is an opportunity to choose whether you make yourself liable or not.

      If Google wishes to leave the links in place without contacting the linked to site owners, it can do so. The only penalty to doing so is that it can (note: can) then be sued for contributory infringement. If it chooses to take the links down, it cannot be sued. If it chooses to leave the links up after the linked to site owners assert that there is no copyright violation, then it can't be sued. In this case, it seems clear that none of the kazaa lite sites were prepared to declare that there was no copyright violation.

      Just for once, the DMCA got this right. The cease-and-desist is an opportunity for Google, not a punishment. In legal terms, it's a remarkably polite "did you know...?" notice.

      --
      If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
    26. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by Rogerborg · · Score: 1

      You can always move off and become a hermit if you don't agree.

      Sure you can, until the government in the shape of BATF, Federal marshalls and the FBI decide that you need to be entrapped, provoked into defending yourself from an unidentified threat, and then taken down hard and fast.

      You pay your taxes, or you get jailed or killed. It's that simple.

      --
      If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
    27. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by Mac+Degger · · Score: 1

      No, you did. By staying within society, you explicitly imply (yeah, yeah, I know) that you agree to the terms. If you don't, move.

      --
      -- Waht? Tehr's a preveiw buottn?
    28. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by Mac+Degger · · Score: 1

      Because it's a sociology thing. All you have to do to reject the terms of the contract is move out to the wilderness. You don't want to? You like your electricity and running water too much? Tough...either move away and build your own powerplant or accept. It's a tough decision, maybe, but who ever said life was fair?

      --
      -- Waht? Tehr's a preveiw buottn?
    29. Re:Google is an 'enabler' by _Sharp'r_ · · Score: 1

      Better yet, if you don't agree to the "new" terms, then join the Republican Liberty Caucus and fight politically for your rights instead of just running away to some other country. :)

      --
      The party of stupid and the party of evil get together and do something both stupid and evil, then call it bipartisan.
  30. Happened before by Arslan+ibn+Da'ud · · Score: 1, Redundant
    This already happened to Google once before.

    IIRC Google took out the offending links, but inserted a link to the C&D order.

    --

    Practice Kind Randomness and Beautiful Acts of Nonsense.

    1. Re:Happened before by 1u3hr · · Score: 1

      This has happened over 130 times before. Interestingly, in some of these the URLS have been redacted, for instance a porn story with the linked notice that "Portions of this notice have been redacted out of respect for the privacy of a minor."

  31. Google's downfall by SnowWolf2003 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Is this the beginning of the end? When google stops returning the results I am looking for, it is time to start looking for a new search engine that will.

    1. Re:Google's downfall by recursiv · · Score: 4, Interesting

      No, this isn't the end of anything. They link to the DMCA complaint, which gives all the URLs! Google, defiant as always. I fucking love google.

      --
      I used to bulls-eye womp-rats in my pants
    2. Re:Google's downfall by sketerpot · · Score: 1

      The great thing is that they manage to comply with the law while enticing anyone who sees the notice at the botom of the page. I love that sort of clever stuff.

    3. Re:Google's downfall by Sphere1952 · · Score: 1

      Not only do they link up to the complaint. They submit the complaint to Chilling Effects and link up to the complaint there.

      I predict that Sharman will complain about that link next -- but just enough to force the issue into court.

      --
      Big Brother Bush is doubleplus ungood.
  32. what about? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    someone should just set up a network of sites that redirect to the banned urls. then start up a webring to get people to link to that network of sites and that will get them back up in the page ranks on google...

  33. But it's still appearing in the Adwords!!! by donnacha · · Score: 5, Interesting


    This is hilarious:

    Before I even had a chance to scroll down the page to look at the DMCA message, I noticed that the Adwords are full of links to Kazaa Lite!

    I guess Google's financial team is a little tougher than their search team.

    1. Re:But it's still appearing in the Adwords!!! by Felinoid · · Score: 1

      Links aren't recognised as free speach.
      Code isn't recognised as speach.

      But advertismnent is still protected as free speach according to the suppream cort.

      --
      I don't actually exist.
    2. Re:But it's still appearing in the Adwords!!! by infestedsenses · · Score: 1


      AFAIK the advertising sites are not actual Kazaa Lite links, they are links to dialers and probably other dubious software.

      I doubt Sherman Networks will be disturbed if people looking for a cracked version of their software burn their fingers a little.

    3. Re:But it's still appearing in the Adwords!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ----
      Links aren't recognised as free speach.
      Code isn't recognised as speach.
      ----

      Speach isn't recognized as speech either.

    4. Re:But it's still appearing in the Adwords!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Zing! You are suppream!

  34. Funny, NOT Informative. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Your joke went over people's heads.

    *Cough*

    1. Re:Funny, NOT Informative. by Ezdaloth · · Score: 1

      There still remains a difference between DMCA and it's (future) european counterpart. In the US only the big companies with much money van influence politicians. In europe people actually *can* make their voice's heard!

    2. Re:Funny, NOT Informative. by Ezdaloth · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      I wasn't speaking about google specifically. So who's the retard not being able to think farther than the length of his nose ?

    3. Re:Funny, NOT Informative. by macdaddy357 · · Score: 1

      Great Google-ey Moogle-ey!!

      --
      How ya like dat?
    4. Re:Funny, NOT Informative. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well he was very upset, as you can understand, and rightly so, because the deadly yellow snow crystals had deprived him of his sight!

    5. Re:Funny, NOT Informative. by RabidOverYou · · Score: 1

      "Forced recreation, live in London!"

      Big karma to whoever identifies the quote, in context.

  35. Kazaa != P2P ?? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Umm...even if they could force people to use regular Kazaa, how would that be stopping P2P?

  36. Google for India also carries a DMCA notice. by Futurepower(R) · · Score: 4, Interesting


    It is interesting to note that the version of Google for India also carries a DMCA notice for Kazaa Lite. Does the U.S. government make worldwide law now? The DMCA is just a local law affecting less than 5% of the people in the world.

    1. Re:Google for India also carries a DMCA notice. by donnacha · · Score: 4, Funny


      Does the U.S. government make worldwide law now?

      Where have you been for the past two years?

    2. Re:Google for India also carries a DMCA notice. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Google is a US-based company and thus is required to abide by US law. The other languages and localities of Google are still US-based.

      Example:
      Domain Name:
      google.co.uk

      Registrant:
      Google Inc

      Registrant's Address:
      2400 Bayshore Parkway
      Mountain View
      94043
      CA

      Same goes for every locality of Google.

    3. Re:Google for India also carries a DMCA notice. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ......um, I think you'll find that this was a COMPANY filing a complain against another COMPANY. Sorry, no trendy anti-US bait for you today!

    4. Re:Google for India also carries a DMCA notice. by sms · · Score: 1

      You've been out of touch for a few years now....

    5. Re:Google for India also carries a DMCA notice. by rmohr02 · · Score: 1

      The US generally does claim jurisdiction over the whole world, but then, Google is a US company, Google has no presence in India, so it could be assumed that google.co.in is hosted in the US.

    6. Re:Google for India also carries a DMCA notice. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So what ?

      When eBay sold nazi objects in France (which is strictly forbidden in Europe), it was condemned by a french court to close access to the sections that gave access to these objects from french IP addresses. If eBay can (reluctantly) do it, I see no reason why Google cannot.

      Of course, the french court never asked that eBay remove their pages for all its domains. The DMCA is just one of the current f...ing Bush laws that we guys hope we'll never hear about.

      So having to bear this censorship unilaterally is quite an insult.

    7. Re:Google for India also carries a DMCA notice. by Maildrop · · Score: 1

      So is Google Israel. But actually no suprise here... If our big brother(US) told us to remove those links, how can we resist?

    8. Re:Google for India also carries a DMCA notice. by Dark+Lord+Seth · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Maybe google.co.in has to comply to DMCA rules because Google simply is an american company? That's part of doing busines in other countries; you have to comply to both your own country's laws as well as to laws applicable in the current country. I'd imagine non-US search engines with non-US hosted servers would point and laugh at the silly DMCA extortion and wait for the obligatory lawsuit instead.

    9. Re:Google for India also carries a DMCA notice. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Same thing in the french Google. France is not suspected to be the US little brother.

      Therefore the DMCA is an american law that in effect applies to the entire world.
      Anything wrong with this ?

    10. Re:Google for India also carries a DMCA notice. by Mr.+X · · Score: 3, Informative

      DMCA was signed by President Clinton.

    11. Re:Google for India also carries a DMCA notice. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Where have you been since the Act of 1871: create a government for the District of Columbia?

      Perusing through the archives; TITLE 28, PART VI, CHAPTER 176, SUBCHAPTER A, Sec. 3002

      (15)
      "United States" means -
      (A)
      a Federal corporation

      As you can see, the District of Columbia has a government limited to 10 square miles and activating International Law on any fictitious entities (such as corporations) registered within it; the corpration aggregate "UNITED STATES", not to be confused with these united States of America. Also of note, the corproate UNITED STATES has registered business fictions of the similarity STATE OF * and COUNTY OF * and CITY OF * form, which is not real property as it is related to establishments of intangible origin within the UNITED STATES (let me remind you, they are lawfully limited to the 10 square miles but perpetuate fraud by use of Internation Law of the Flag).

      So in effect, they have a Security Agreement with a "citizen of the United States", and by using their money as appropriate in the Uniform Commercial Code that the person (real/mankind/livingtrust or intangible/corporate) that you are performing to discharge debts using debtor money and UNITED STATES is a creditor; it is the other way around when not using Federal Reserve Notes, but hey: this is equity fraud, as everyone in their right mind knows that Federal Reserve Notes are not lawful money.

      http://www.lawfulmoney.com

  37. The DMCA is not to blame... by stubear · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    "...the DMCA makes URLs a copyright violation?"

    The DMCA does not make this illegal, it's the threat of a lawsuit that forced Google to remove the links. I'll bet you're the same type of person who villifies gun makers when someone is killed in a gun related crime.

    1. Re:The DMCA is not to blame... by Hrothgar+The+Great · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Yes, but the DMCA basically assumes (temporarily) the guilt of the accused - if a copyright owner asserts that you are in violation, you are expected, under the law, to remove the offending content, immediately - it's like an instant temporary restraining order.

      So looking at it that way, the DMCA is to blame, in this case.

    2. Re:The DMCA is not to blame... by Molina+the+Bofh · · Score: 1

      I do have the copyright of the name "Hrothgar", so I am demanding you change your nickname, or stop using it.

      --

      -
      Roses are #FF0000, Violets are #0000FF, find / -name '*base*' |xargs chown -R us && mv zig greatjustice
    3. Re:The DMCA is not to blame... by rokzy · · Score: 1

      I'm the type of person that villifies the NRA.

      there are loads of things that gun makers could do to make them unusable by children or even people who don't own them. some have tried but were scared off because the retards at the NRA boycotted them, which gun makers can't afford.

      and the US government couldn't give a sh!t about how many kids are killed so won't make the safety features legally required.

      for some reason, the NRA freaks think "A well regulated milita..." means that regulations are unconstitutional...

    4. Re:The DMCA is not to blame... by fltsimbuff · · Score: 1

      Here's an idea... Keep guns out of reach of children. Just like knives... and matches, and medicine, and anything else that can be dangerous. Don't let them play in the streets... Heck, be parents! It's impossible to make *everything* safe for children. That is one of the jobs of a parent. Personally, I think the NRA is waay too obsessed with guns. But that is what happens when you have gun control advocates that are nuts as well, Things tend to balance out. Waaay off topic, but it's the same deal with DMCA advocates/opposition... Both sides of people on issues tend to put distance between each other, and thus move further, and further from the middle. Those of us that despise the DMCA have some of the best minds in the world backing us up. With an organized "resistance" we'd win rather easily. I'm just waiting for the day when it gets organized enough for this to happen.

    5. Re:The DMCA is not to blame... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hi. This is Simon, BOFH speaking.

      Mr. Molina. The acronym 'BOFH' is copyrighted, please remove it from your nickname at once!

      Oh, by the way, what's your username?

  38. Put warning at TOP of search results. by SpaceRook · · Score: 1, Interesting

    The warning is hidden at the bottom of the page (how often do we scroll down that far for results when searching through Google?). I think the warning should be the first thing on the page, with highlighted text.

    1. Re:Put warning at TOP of search results. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      since links to kazaa lite downloads can be found before you reach the bottom of the page, who cares?

    2. Re:Put warning at TOP of search results. by SpaceRook · · Score: 1

      My point is that it is a BIG DEAL when Google filters out search results based on the DMCA. It shouyld be made very obvious that you are not getting a complete listing of search results.

  39. The real people... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting
    Funny how Kazaa is supposedly a little Australian operation, running out of Vanuatu, when all their lawyers are based in LA.

    Does anyone else wonder whether Kevin Burmeister is the real force behind this company? And does anyone wonder whether all the shots are really being called in LA (and not in the pacific tax-haven they'd have us all believe)? Who knows?

  40. K-lite.tk by DigitalReligion · · Score: 1

    K-lite.tk is the site for those who want it ;)

  41. Contact information by santorum · · Score: 0

    Just because Google (or someone) censored it... here is the contact information for the law firm in question.

    Stubbs Alderton & Markiles, LLP
    15821 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 525
    Encino, California 91436
    office> 818.444.4500
    fax> 818.444.4520
    email> info@biztechlaw.com

    There is something deeply wrong about a law firm with a flash intro.

  42. Works for me! by LauraW · · Score: 3, Informative

    Searching for "Kazaa" gives a Kazaa Lite link in the 4th position, and "Kazaa Lite" gives lots of KL links. I don't know if this means they've changed their minds or if the original change just hasn't propagated everywhere yet.

    1. Re:Works for me! by LauraW · · Score: 1

      BTW, as a disclaimer I should say that I now work for Google, starting last week. I don't have much more knowledge on how the search stuff works than what's publicly available, though. Even if I did, I wouldn't be able to talk about it.

  43. So DMCA now applies in London? by badzilla · · Score: 1

    If you do same search on www.google.co.uk you get same DMCA notice of missing results. Thanks a lot USA for exporting your laws here... in return do I get to vote for one of these "congresspeople" now?

    --
    "Don't belong. Never join. Think for yourself. Peace." V.Stone, Microsoft Corporation
    1. Re:So DMCA now applies in London? by recursiv · · Score: 1

      No, the DMCA only applies in the good ol USA (hint: where the servers are)

      --
      I used to bulls-eye womp-rats in my pants
  44. Oh, thanks, I wouldn't want to go to a bad site. by Futurepower(R) · · Score: 1


    I'm sure there are many people who think that it was nice of the law firm to identify the best sites to download Kazaa Lite.

  45. Irony by jargoone · · Score: 0, Troll

    Ironically enough, Sherman Networks, using the DMCA, filed a legal complaint to block Kazaa Lite sites.

    Ok, countdown time. How long will it take for someone from the UK to rip on Americans for their incorrect use of irony.

    3... 2... 1...

    1. Re:Irony by recursiv · · Score: 1

      Could you please tell me what is wrong about that? Because I thought it was ironic that Sharman is trying to use the DMCA to their advantage, when the DMCA is precisely what is being used against them.

      --
      I used to bulls-eye womp-rats in my pants
    2. Re:Irony by bj8rn · · Score: 1

      I think the parent may be referring to a bbc.co.uk article linked on Slashdot a few months ago where the author said that everyone but the ancient Greeks misuse the word 'irony'. Ironic, ain't it?

      --
      Hell is not other people; it is yourself. - Ludwig Wittgenstein
  46. How ironic! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If the RIAA has their way, maybe it will end up being "Sherman's" network . . . :-)

    http://www.riaa.com/about/leadership/default.asp #c ary

  47. Besides, the libraries BOUGHT the books by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Or they were donated, but in either case the publisher got money.

  48. Google 0wn3d by DMCA by StickMang · · Score: 1, Informative

    Google really needs to grow a spine in matters like this. Let them know how you feel about censorship by contacting them. I've posted a rant on this topic here on my site. The rant contains contact information to do something about this, but I'm not a nazi, so here:

    Google can be contacted at comments@google.com.

    And here:
    Google, Inc.
    2400 Bayshore Parkway
    Mountain View CA 94043
    phone: (650) 623-4000
    fax: (650) 618-1499

    I'm sure they would love to hear what the Slashdot crowd thinks about injustice like this.

    1. Re:Google 0wn3d by DMCA by acceleriter · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I think Google is taking a practical approach to this. They're informing the user that the results have been censored, and then link to the letter containing the censored results. Methinks they're hoisting Sherman with their own petard--the Kazaa Lite folks couldn't have bought publicity this effective.

      --

      CEE5210S The signal SIGHUP was received.

    2. Re:Google 0wn3d by DMCA by StickMang · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      Why did someone mod this down "overrated"? Is easily accessible contact information overrated? I'm just trying to encourage activism here, I love Google as much as the next guy.

    3. Re:Google 0wn3d by DMCA by DarthWiggle · · Score: 2, Funny

      Grow a spine? The links are available one click away in the copy of the C&D letter that's on display. To me that looks like Google raising their middle finger at the request while simultaneously complying with it.

    4. Re:Google 0wn3d by DMCA by Potor · · Score: 1
      You're right re: the publicity, but Google still caved in. The general trend of considering search terms as copywritable is frightening, and no silver lining or accidental benefit can justify this course of action.

      use www.alltheweb.com

    5. Re:Google 0wn3d by DMCA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      they don't need publicity. unless they become targeted by a Sharman lawsuit or some such and need to be bailed out. kazaalite is free. all it is is Kazaa, stripped of spyware.

    6. Re:Google 0wn3d by DMCA by mutewinter · · Score: 1

      Most lawyers don't know a whole lot about marketting, apparently. (Same goes for all those fansites which have been sent cease and desist letters.)

      Companies would be alot better of if they treated their lawyers like dogs on a chain. The company should be telling the lawyer what to do, not vice versa.

  49. I searched for kazaa lite.. by njan · · Score: 1

    ..and it came up with an article on it and more than one site listing it for download - the second link, in fact, was one such site.

    How are the results lacking, precisely?

    --
    I am a viral sig. Please copy me and help me spread. Thank you
  50. DCMA Gone too Far by Unixinvid · · Score: 3, Informative

    You know this looks like big brother authoritive business. I mean when I look at this I see the DCMA group attack sites that have little or no involment with p2p sites. I mean its like attacking puppies with a lawn mower. Our right as a citizen are being violated by big business, who are attemping to control our lives. Its like the Futurama episode where they put advertisements in your dreams. Any ways Congress real research, and better information then to listen to people like the MPAA and the RIAA.

  51. The Removed Listing by segvio · · Score: 1

    As per the complaint: a. http://www.kazaagold.com b. http://mp3download.com c. http://www.kazaalite.tk d. http://www.kaaza.com e. http://doa2.host.sk f. http://www.k-lite.tk g. http://www.kazaa-file-sharing-downloads.com h. http://www.kazaalite.nl i. http://home/hccnet.nl/h.edskes/mirror.htm j. http://www.kazaa-download.de k. http://www.zeropaid.com l. http//www.kazaalite.nl/downloads.htm m. http://kazaa.infos-du-net.com n. http://www.kazaa-lite.tk o. http://www.kazaa-lite.info We're all removed from Google listings.

    1. Re:The Removed Listing by n0wak · · Score: 1

      We're all removed from Google listings.

      Shit. How will anyone find my site now? Curse you DMCA! Curse you to hell!

    2. Re:The Removed Listing by segvio · · Score: 1

      +1 Funny, but obviously, I posted.

  52. 2nd search result? by ttyp0 · · Score: 1
    Their complaint wasn't very effective. When searching for Kazaa Lite I get a link to download as the second result. Ooops, did I just break the DMCA?

    Anti SCO T-Shirts donates to the Open Source Now Fund.

  53. Meanwhile, outside Googleland... by Linker3000 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I have just tried Kazaa Lite on various other search engines and meta search engines, and without fail they return at least one of the forbidden 8 sites that Google removes:

    Altavista

    Webcrawler

    Teoma

    Dogpile

    Obviously not a comprehensive effort (I have a 3yr old son to entertain right now and that's much more important!), but it leads to the conclusion that either the complainant thinks the world revolves around Google OR the other sites haven't checked their mail yet!

    As others have pointed out, the genie is out of the bottle and so semi-hiding the links is going to be pointless. I loved the written up DMCA complaint--putting the list of banned sites on it is kind of like having an English test question that says: Write down the correct spelling of following word: 'incomprehensible'? .

    --
    AT&ROFLMAO
    1. Re:Meanwhile, outside Googleland... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      About 90% of all internet searches are done with Google so why bother about the rest?

      That is the danger of having an Internet Search Engine mono-culture.

    2. Re:Meanwhile, outside Googleland... by Linker3000 · · Score: 1

      Actually, according to SearchEngineWatch, it was nearer 76% in May 2003, but point taken.

      --
      AT&ROFLMAO
  54. mr whipple by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    don't squeeze the sharman

  55. Ask the ACLU to Defend the Search-Engine Company by reporter · · Score: 2, Insightful
    The scenario that we have is the following.

    1. Material violating the copyright laws exists on the web.
    2. A search engine provides a hypertext link to the infringing material.
    Is the search engine technically violating copyright law? No. Is the search engine facilitating people who wish to violate copyright law? Yes.

    Does "facilitation" constitute violation of the law? To look at that question. Let us look at another analogy.

    1. Consider a hypothetical company, "Martian Software". It deliberately and illegally copies software and sells them to customers.
    2. The Yellow Pages carries an advertisement for "Martian Software". The advertisment includes a phone number, an address, and a map explaining how to go to the address of "Martian Software".
    The Yellow Pages is not violating copyright law but is facilitating people who wish to violate copyright law. However, in this case, "facilitation" does constitute violation of the law.

    By analog, the search engine in the original example is not violating the law by merely providing a link to the infringing material. We, Slashdotters, should petition the ACLU to defend the search-engine company.

    ... from the desk of the reporter

  56. Results 1 - 10 of about 361,000 by joejoejoejoe · · Score: 1

    need i say more?

    --
    Silly Rabbit: tricks are for kids.
  57. There is still an issue here. by Futurepower(R) · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yes, but Indians might object to being held to U.S. laws.

    1. Re:There is still an issue here. by donutello · · Score: 1

      Yes, but Indians might object to being held to U.S. laws.

      Google is being held to U.S. laws. Indians are not. Indians are free to link to Kazaa lite anywhere they want to (unless it violates Indian law) but Google may not because Google is U.S. not Indian.

      Exactly how hard is that to understand?

      --
      Mmmm.. Donuts
    2. Re:There is still an issue here. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      U.S. law is deciding what search results Indians in India, on land in India, on computers in India, may view, and what they may not view. U.S. law is deciding what you, an Indian, in your own country, using your own computers, may search for, and what you may find. You have no say in the matter. You don't see any problem with that? U.S. law says "No, Indians are not allowed to see those sites." Jeez, I wonder what else Indians are ignornant of?

    3. Re:There is still an issue here. by JonathanBoyd · · Score: 1

      U.S. law isn't deciding what services Indians may receive; it is deciding what services a U.S. company can provide. Very significant difference.

    4. Re:There is still an issue here. by donutello · · Score: 1

      Nope. U.S. law is deciding what search results Indians in India, on land in India, on computers in India, may view off a U.S. site. U.S. law says nothing about what they may view off an Indian site or off a site somewhere else.

      --
      Mmmm.. Donuts
  58. Really? by stardeep · · Score: 1

    Really? So you get a link to a Kazaa Lite download when you google from where you live? 'Cause I sure don't.

    --
    Sentimentality is merely the Bank Holiday of cynicism.
    - Oscar Wilde
    1. Re:Really? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes, actually. In Canada, for instance, nothing has changed. At least not yet. I'm amazed at the reports that Britain has been affected by this. Why should Google UK obey American law? An American abroad can enjoy all sorts of stuff that is illegal back home (Cuban cigars, Absinthe, Hashish). Why should an American company abroad not have the same rights? I mean really, what's the point of being a transnational when one country's laws are always getting in the way?

    2. Re:Really? by wo1verin3 · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I'm in Canada and I just got my very own DMCA notice regarding my website. I run a small video game fan site and posted some video game screenshots from GameSpot. Appearantly they didn't take too kindly... *cough*assholes*cough* :)

    3. Re:Really? by critter_hunter · · Score: 1

      I thought the DMCA protected against reverse-engineering and copyright-violation devices? Taking some images from someone else is simply copyright violation, why would the DMCA have anything to do with it?

      --
      Karma: Could be worse (could be raining)
    4. Re:Really? by wo1verin3 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      In all honesty so did I. Technically the graphics don't even belong to GameSpot, they belong to Electronic Arts but I don't have the time nor money to fight it... Here is a snippet:
      --------------
      Re: NOTICE AND TAKEDOWN REQUEST UNDER THE DIGITAL MILLENNIUM COPYRIGHT ACT, SECTION 512(c)(3)

      Pursuant to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA"), we are writing to provide you notice of your illegal activities and copyright infringement. I, acting as CNET and GameSpot's agent, have a good faith belief that the use of GameSpot's copyrighted material in this manner is not authorized by us, our agent, or the law.

    5. Re:Really? by ncc74656 · · Score: 1
      Really? So you get a link to a Kazaa Lite download when you google from where you live? 'Cause I sure don't.

      I live in Las Vegas, and while kazaalite.tk is no longer listed, there are several other download sites that are listed (mainly for the K++ variant).

      kazaalite.tk, BTW, is still alive and well.

      --
      20 January 2017: the End of an Error.
    6. Re:Really? by Guspaz · · Score: 4, Interesting

      You're forgetting that this is Canada... The DMCA has no effect here. Assuming your hosting is in Canada, you can simply send a reply telling gamespot that you are not under the jurisdiction of the DMCA, and that you will not be complying with their request.

      If your hosting is in the US... Well, then you're in a bit more of a bind. IANAL, but I'd suspect that while YOU are not liable, the American hosting company would be, and would be forced to remove the content from their servers.

      Of course, surely you chose Canadian web hosting to keep your dollars in the country, no? :p

    7. Re:Really? by Ice_Balrog · · Score: 0, Troll

      Gamespot is right. You shouldn't have ripped off their videos. You had no right whatsoever to use them.

      Whould you like it is someone took your hard work and used it without you're permission? The people at Gamespot don't. They have to make a living. If you don't like it, tough. Its THIER video, not yours.

      Its not GS who is the asshole in this case, it's you.

      --
      #include "sig.h"
    8. Re:Really? by cgenman · · Score: 1

      I thought they recently merged Kazaa Lite and K++. You'll find that is what kazaalite.tk lists as the current project.

  59. Aren't search engines covered by 1st Ammendment by eris_crow · · Score: 1

    It seems like they ought to be, at least if any lawyer had the guts to argue it. After all, the function of a search engine is to report the current contents of the Internet - clearly a function of the press and thus protected by the First Ammendments "free press" clause.

    And on another thought: if they aren't allowed to provide links, then maybe they ought to provide only plain text urls for DMCA'd items, but still leave those item in the main search results listing.

  60. Sharman, Schmarman by stardeep · · Score: 1

    I think they should have called themselves "Shareman Networks".

    --
    Sentimentality is merely the Bank Holiday of cynicism.
    - Oscar Wilde
  61. Typo in "Ask the ACLU to Defend ..." (Sorry) by reporter · · Score: 1
    Sorry. I found a type in my article. The sentence "However, in this case, 'facilitation' does constitute violation of the law." should be "However, in this case, 'facilitation' does NOT constitute violation of the law."

    ... from the desk of the reporter

    1. Re:Typo in "Ask the ACLU to Defend ..." (Sorry) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You may as well try to stop a program that, when given a word, adds http:// and .com on the beginning and end, and then links to it. Given the word 'kazaalite' it will link to http://kazaalite.com and thus be facilitating people who want to violae copyright laws, surely?

  62. The site list from the letter by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    http://www.kazaagold.com
    http://mp3download.com
    http://www.kazaalite.tk
    http://www.kaaza.com
    htt p://doa2.host.sk
    http://www.k-lite.tk
    http://www .kazaa-file-sharing-downloads.com
    http://www.kaza alite.nl
    http://home/hccnet.nl/h.edskes/mirror.ht m
    http://www.kazaa-download.de
    http://www.zeropa id.com
    http//www.kazaalite.nl/downloads.htm
    http ://kazaa.infos-du-net.com
    http://www.kazaa-lite.t k
    http://www.kazaa-lite.info

  63. Re:Link is gone in Japan by takochan · · Score: 1

    Links to kazaa lite are gone in Japan google too..

    Gee, since when did the DMCA apply in Japan?
    uhh... it doesn't... even now..

    So google should show such links in other countries that are not currently in the internet dark ages like the US is, and keep that country's problems out of here..

  64. Rubbish by RMH101 · · Score: 1

    Kazaa Lite is a hacked version of Kazaa, with the spyware and adware removed.

    1. Re:Rubbish by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      hello dingbat....

      Go download it, it REFUSES to allow you to download it unless you disable your popup blocking.

      Second their website for kazaa lite is full of scumware like gator and the others.

      It's not in kazaa lite it in the official website for kazaa lite.

      If you put your scumware in the program or force it upon those that are simply trying to download it...

      it's still scummy.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    2. Re:Rubbish by RMH101 · · Score: 1

      crap! K++/KLite from the Edskes sites et al does none of these things. It just doesn't do it.

    3. Re:Rubbish by Rude-Boy · · Score: 1

      Perhaps you need more practice working the internet. I've had none of those problems with Kazza Lite/K++

  65. Refuse to index by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Google should simply refure to index any pages of sites belonging to companies that have threatened them legally.

    Sharman don't want us to show any K-Lite sites?
    Fine, but we ain't showing no kazaa.com pages either.

    1. Re:Refuse to index by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I like that idea

  66. Search for "Kazaa" not "Kazaa lite" by Chuck+Chunder · · Score: 1

    And then you should see the kazaagold sponsored link. At least I do.

    --
    Boffoonery - downloadable Comedy Benefit for Bletchley Park
    1. Re:Search for "Kazaa" not "Kazaa lite" by Reziac · · Score: 1

      Ah, yes, there it is. I'd just clicked whatever link was in the blurb here. Some people will click on anything. :)

      --
      ~REZ~ #43301. Who'd fake being me anyway?
  67. Newsflash: Google is not the only search engine by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Just use for example alltheweb.com which is much better anyway.

    1. Re:Newsflash: Google is not the only search engine by polyp2000 · · Score: 0

      You could always try MSN

      MSN ,
      but MSN sucks.

      --
      Electronic Music Made Using Linux http://soundcloud.com/polyp
  68. U.S. government policy: Killing to end violence. by Futurepower(R) · · Score: 1, Insightful


    "Where have you been for the past two years?"

    Oh, you mean that little thing about killing Arabs? Oh, don't worry about that. I'm sure the families of the people killed know that Americans are superior beings who should be able to decide who lives and who dies. Some people think that killing is violence, but it isn't if the U.S. government does it.

  69. A different perspective... by Baron_Yam · · Score: 5, Funny

    Summary:Kazaa C&Ds Google, because it's easier than tracking down all the offending sites and C&Ding them individually. The justification for the C&D - Kazaa Lite is illegal, Google is providing easy access to Kazaa Lite.

    What if Google turned around and said, "Kazaa is using Google to facillitate tracking down sites infringing on its intellectual property. Please pay Google the following outrageous fee for legal research assistance."

    In my opinion, C&Ding a search engine is like trying to have a municipality remove street addresses from buildings containing businesses you don't like. It's just stupid.

  70. Google cache by Lady+Jazzica · · Score: 1

    You can find the Google cache for the Google search for Kazaa Lite here.

  71. This is annoying by tomstdenis · · Score: 1

    While I generally hate KaZaa and such this action is setting a dangerous precedent.

    Google isn't hosting or otherwise promoting the pirated data. They're just objectively providing web searching capabilities. If they are cut short because every interest group [scientologist for instance] want to dip their hands in how the "web should look" .... well what's the point then?

    I hope the lawsuit fails and google can resume a more objective product.

    Tom

    --
    Someday, I'll have a real sig.
    1. Re:This is annoying by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Never happen. They'll just call Google terrorists and win.

  72. Google is a public service utility, partly Indian. by Futurepower(R) · · Score: 1

    The problem is that Google is a public service utility, partly for Indians. An excellent utility like Google tends to exclude others from offering the same service. So, Indians are effectively held to U.S. law.

  73. HAHAHAHAHAH by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So, let me get this straight. The one thing that actually makes Kazaa worth using, and they want to get rid of it? If all K++/KL users had to use standard KMD or no Kazaa at all, guess which one they'd choose?

  74. Thanks, Google by Overly+Critical+Guy · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    Gee, thanks, Google, for bending right over and taking it. Heaven forbid anybody stand up for something.

    --
    "Sufferin' succotash."
    1. Re:Thanks, Google by You're+All+Wrong · · Score: 1

      Bollocks.

      They've done the best thing possible.

      They've conformed to the letter of the law, but are still providing _exactly_ the same information as before, via the medium of linking to another site which caries the same URLs, albeit not as hrefs.

      The auto-href-ize function will become more and more popular in next-generation browsers, I'm sure, which will completely emasculate the likes of Sharman.

      YAW.

      --
      Your head of state is a corrupt weasel, I hope you're happy.
  75. K++ by unclebulgaria · · Score: 1

    What I find amusing is that due to them removing "Kazaa Lite" from the google search, that suddenly most links are to K++ downloads, which is not only Kazaa Lite, but a program that "hacks" the client so people can get maximum participation level, unlimited search mores and removes the limitation on maximum simulataneous downloads locations for one file.

  76. kinda defeats the purpose by 2MuchC0ffeeMan · · Score: 1

    kinda defeats the purpose when you list the sites in question on the dmca complaint page.

    --
    Runnin' On Empty .... I'm Still Alive
  77. DMCA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    that's what ghandi called civilian disobedience.
    Same on Brasil

  78. I don't understand by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What would someone sue Google rather than the original guy who is breaking the law ?

  79. What's funny... Read the complaint by ogre2112 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They list all the blocked links in the complaint, which google points to as a mention of why they blocked the sites:

    a. http://www.kazaagold.com
    b. http://mp3download.com
    c. http://www.kazaalite.tk
    d. http://www.kaaza.com
    e. http://doa2.host.sk
    f. http://www.k-lite.tk
    g. http://www.kazaa-file-sharing-downloads.com
    h. http://www.kazaalite.nl
    i. http://home/hccnet.nl/h.edskes/mirror.htm
    j. http://www.kazaa-download.de
    k. http://www.zeropaid.com
    l. http//www.kazaalite.nl/downloads.htm
    m. http://kazaa.infos-du-net.com
    n. http://www.kazaa-lite.tk
    o. http://www.kazaa-lite.info

    1. Re:What's funny... Read the complaint by Mwongozi · · Score: 4, Informative
      Only some of these URLs are actually useful for finding the Kazaa Lite software. The useful ones are:
    2. Re:What's funny... Read the complaint by WWWWolf · · Score: 5, Insightful

      What is interesting is that Google lists the sites that have been removed due to DMCA, yes. I first saw this in the case when the Church of Scientology tried to use DMCA to de-list pages critical to them.

      The effect is precisely not what the people who invoked DMCA wanted to happen, though.

      Google is basically saying "Okay, we would have shown you these sites, but we were told not to". And people are far more curious about seemingly forbidden knowledge =)

      Let us rejoice that Google still can tell that the sites were censored and is not required to act ignorant ("DMCA-delisted site? Where? We have no DMCA-delisted sites here, no sir, and if we did, they would be, after all, delisted!").

    3. Re:What's funny... Read the complaint by plugger · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The copy of the complaint linked to by Google is hosted on chillingeffects.org . I guess that tells you what they think of the DMCA.

    4. Re:What's funny... Read the complaint by Robotech_Master · · Score: 1

      Another amusing thing is that there are ads on the right margin which talk about "Free Kazaa Lite Downloads" and so forth. So on the one hand, they've blocked these sites under the DMCA...and on the other, other sites are advertising the same things.

      --
      Editor Emeritus and Senior Writer, TeleRead.org
    5. Re:What's funny... Read the complaint by The+Cydonian · · Score: 3, Informative
      One more reason why effective competition for Google is a good thing.

      Alltheweb doesn't quite have a Google Groups or a News Google equivalent (only news search; no headline parser), but the regular search is pretty cool.

    6. Re:What's funny... Read the complaint by Chess+Cardigan · · Score: 1

      So is /. going to be DMCAed now because everyone is posting links to Kazaa Lite?

    7. Re:What's funny... Read the complaint by I+Want+GNU! · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Except that this is at the bottom of the page in the fine print and no one will notice it, especially if you list 100 results...

    8. Re:What's funny... Read the complaint by Wolfrider · · Score: 1

      --I have to agree; my earlier post with the KL download links was courtest of ATW, by way of the Opera "Search" dropdown menu.

      --
      .
      == WolfriderV6 == I'm willing to admit that *I just might* be wrong... Are you??
    9. Re:What's funny... Read the complaint by RzUpAnmsCwrds · · Score: 1

      Alltheweb is run by Overture, a company that built it's business model around selling search placements on popular search engines (except Google).

    10. Re:What's funny... Read the complaint by Dave2+Wickham · · Score: 1

      And? It give good results, and was in operation with the same quality before Overture bought it.

  80. In the I'll play by the rules department by 4/3PI*R^3 · · Score: 3, Informative
    Google removed the links to Kazaa related sites from their search engine but then list the DMCA request which of course has all the URLS listed.

    Score: Google 1
    Kazaa 0
    DMCA 0

    1. Re:In the I'll play by the rules department by Sphere1952 · · Score: 1


      Score: Google 1
      Kazaa 0 or 1 (unclear)
      DMCA -2

      --
      Big Brother Bush is doubleplus ungood.
  81. An interesting idea. by Chuck+Chunder · · Score: 1

    You could consider kazaa.com using legal means to manipulate the apparent ranking of other kazaa-related websites as an artificial means to improve their own rank.

    Perhaps all Kazaa.com related results should be demoted by the same number of sites that they've had banned?

    In reality though this would probably just detract further from the quality of Google's results though it might deter future DMCA complaints to Google.

    --
    Boffoonery - downloadable Comedy Benefit for Bletchley Park
    1. Re:An interesting idea. by Snowdrake · · Score: 1

      Not to mention that even before Sharman complained, searching on "Kazaa" and hitting "I'm Feeling Lucky" should have landed on Sharman's own website anyway. So it's not exactly as though removing k-lite sites would've improved their own rank.

  82. for those lazy ones... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    of course posted earlier but with link not made clickable...for those of us that need the link.

    http://k-lite.tk/

    enjoy.

  83. Story is WRONG by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I just dnld'd Kazaa Lite from third link on first page returned by Google.
    Anybody researching this shit before 'press time'?

  84. Blue Ribbon by danila · · Score: 4, Informative

    It seems that once again it's time to place Blue ribbons on our websites and webpages...

    --
    Future Wiki -- If you don't think about the future, you cannot have one.
  85. So what do we do about it? by Business+King · · Score: 1

    Ok, this discussion is bringing up a good question that I am sure a lot of us are having, what do we do about the DMCA other than writing our congressman? Is there a strongly organized group against it that we can join? Does anyone know one? I personally think this law is doing more damage than good, and the damage heavily outways the good it was intended to do. I just would like to know if anyone has started a major organized movement against the DMCA. If so does anyone have any sites they recommend to these organizations? Any help would be appriciated and I think everyone else in the discussion would benifit as well! :)

    1. Re:So what do we do about it? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

      "...this law is doing more damage than good."

      Well, that's more a matter of opinion than a statement of fact. As far as we're concerned, yes, it is doing a great deal of harm. It is crippling free speech, killing innovation, and financially ruining good people.

      However, to Corporate America (y'know, the guys who wanted it passed in the first place) it's everything they ever dreamed of and more. Their vision for America is different from ours. While we envision freedom, equality, and innovation, *they* envision a world where we are completely and totally controlled by them. From our entertainment to our toothbrushes, they want to control every aspect (and dollar) of our lives without haven to worry about "competition" and "consumer choice." The corporate wet dream is a supermonopoly ("Unicorp") that controls everything, can charge any price they want, and is completely free from government regulation.

      Given that it is corporations, and not citizens, who have the most pull in government, it seems unlikely that the Congressmen are going to listen to a bunch of slashdotters when their *real* constitutients are happy as larks.

      Then again, mass e-mail, snail mail, and phone campaigns worked pretty well for the homeschoolers...

  86. They appear to have removed the ban by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    searching for "kazaa lite" results in a whole host of relevant webpages, including k++. Sigh, I missed all the fun I guesss.

    1. Re:They appear to have removed the ban by polyp2000 · · Score: 0

      They have taken off 8 pages from the search in total,
      see the bottom of the google search results and you will find a link to another page containing the request to remove the sites. which ... funnily enough lists the eight pages they have removed from the site ..heh heh heh ...

      --
      Electronic Music Made Using Linux http://soundcloud.com/polyp
  87. So, if the madness continues... by NemoX · · Score: 1

    ...google won't be able to link to any patented, trade marked, or service marked material, either...without explicit written consent by the owners, or a fee to said owners. Gee, I guess all search engines should just take themselves off the web now, and save us all the headache.

    1. Re:So, if the madness continues... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So, if the madness continues, Google won't be able to link to any patented, trade marked, or service marked material, either...without explicit written consent by the owners, or a fee to said owners.
      This is exactly like the issues with deep-linking bans: What in the flying FSCK is any material of this nature doing sitting out on the open Internet?????
  88. Google, I hope you are reading this ... by polyp2000 · · Score: 0, Interesting

    Whilst this is the first case I have heard of where a search engine has been instructed by an external body to remove links or sites from its search results, this is by and large a terrible thing to happen. The removal of certain sites from the search results is a step in the wrong direction, and if this type of thing should continue then google will rapidly start declining in popularity.

    Now that i have read this news I feel that google is a tainted service, and no-longer can i trust it as a search engine to pull up valuable and unbiased results. Google should stand their ground and not be bullied into filtering there results like this. I for one will be looking out for a google alternative, it just sucks that google have had years of development and years of experience in making a such a damn good product. So who's the next contender to the throne ? MSN ? ..... I surely hope not ...

    some of us have music to help us through the dark times :)

    --
    Electronic Music Made Using Linux http://soundcloud.com/polyp
    1. Re:Google, I hope you are reading this ... by polyp2000 · · Score: 0

      Look .. If you are going to mod me down, you could at least have responded to the post. Sure its opinionated, but its a valid point. Now you have that thought in your head can you really trust googles search results in the same way again ?

      --
      Electronic Music Made Using Linux http://soundcloud.com/polyp
  89. Re:Google is a public service utility, partly Indi by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    If enough Indians decide they want an alternative to the censored U.S. service, then they'll create one. If they think the quality of service outweighs the disadvantages, then they won't. Simple as that. Either way, it is still the choice of citizens of India: no U.S. law will prevent them from that choice.

  90. make them care by nazsco · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Google accepted that to spare a few pennies with laywers. They thought "'kaza lite'? only 0.00001% of the queries... screw them"

    but if you all that felt that this is wrong change your bookmarks to, brazillian google that let's you find kaza lite, then they will see that they must spend those pennies to keep the community "buying" their products.

    that's the essence of capitalism. If you don't like one's product, or if you have anything agains that business, just don't buy from them. That will make they change their policies or make better products (or die, leaving room for another one with better policies and/or better products to fill the gap)

    ok that "buying" from google brazil isn't the best way to make them care.. maybe force yourself to use altavista instead for one or two week :)

    1. Re:make them care by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      Goofed up there, buddy. You forgot a Z. If you look on this page, down at the bottom you'll see a notice about the DMCA.

    2. Re:make them care by fanpoe · · Score: 1

      All The Web might be a better bet than AltaVista

  91. UNTHINKABLE - let's boycott Google! by danila · · Score: 1

    There isn't much that you can do about this, but I suggest at least sending an e-mail to Google. Let them know what people think. I just sent an e-mail and informed them that I will not use Google to search for anything other than "kazaa lite", unless the links are restored.

    P.S. This once again demonstrates the danger of the "whole Internet" depending on a single monopoly, no matter how well-intended and how much liked by the users. This is a risk that we should not agree to bear.

    --
    Future Wiki -- If you don't think about the future, you cannot have one.
    1. Re:UNTHINKABLE - let's boycott Google! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Uhh, there are plenty of other search engines. Use them.

  92. thought police by dbc001 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Apparently there are pieces of information that Americans are not allowed to write down. We are definitely edging towards thought crime here. Between this and the illegality of writing virii (i know its spelled wrong but it looks better), we are on our way! I just wonder when someone will get punished for writing these things with pen & paper instead of electronically...

    1. Re:thought police by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Mods on crack as usual. How about answering the question: "virii" looks better than what?

    2. Re:thought police by dbc001 · · Score: 1

      actually the word is "virii". several thousand people use this more appealing term, and it is now part of the enlgish language. it will be added to dictionaries in the next few years. thanks for playing

    3. Re:thought police by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Answer the question, already.

      It looks better than what?

  93. Copyrighting links?! by dacarr · · Score: 1

    No. On those grounds one can copyright email addresses, phone numbers, snail mail addresses, directory trees....

    --
    This sig no verb.
  94. I'm glad this story showed up. by Edward+Teach · · Score: 1

    It reminded me to update my K++ installation to the newest version. Thanks.

    --

    Setting his threshold to 5, Sparky eliminated most of the trolls on /.

  95. Re:Google is a public service utility, partly Indi by blkmagic · · Score: 1

    Google is NOT a public service utility, it's a commercial venture supported by advertising. Its function is to make money for its owners, not to provide a utility such as natural gas, electricity, or water to residents of a locale. While it may appear that they're providing some public services, the ads you get at the top and right side of each search (links to buy items) are how Google makes money. Anyway, you're using a US-based search engine. Anytime you use a service based in another country, you're subject to that country's laws. If you don't like it, don't use it. Don't expect a company to break laws in its jurisdiction just because you expect a free service with no limitations.

  96. And Libraries can't own digital literature by einhverfr · · Score: 2

    Generally the DMCA has been very successful at limiting the utility of the ebooks to libraries, who might, for example, be prohibited against loaning them out!!

    This is one reason why the DMCA has to go.

    --

    LedgerSMB: Open source Accounting/ERP
    1. Re:And Libraries can't own digital literature by Simonetta · · Score: 1

      This is one reason why the DMCA has to go.

      I would suggest that it is no longer possible to prevent bad laws from being passed and enforced within the legal system. The system is far too corrupt and institutionally inflexable now.

      It would be more effective to work at designing technological work-arounds to nullify bad laws rather than to attempt to modify these bad laws within the legal system.

      The results would be the same in the long run.

      Using technological means to correct oppressive legal situations is simpily more efficient for us, given that as the designers, engineers, and technicians of the technology, we control the technology and have the final say over the proper use of the technology.

      It would also send a clear and strong message to the most dense of politicians that they must now consult with us before attempting to implement changes in the technological infrastructure through legal means.

      Thank you,
      Simonetta

    2. Re:And Libraries can't own digital literature by yerricde · · Score: 1

      It would be more effective to work at designing technological work-arounds to nullify bad laws

      Except the DMCA's circumvention ban (17 USC 1201) prohibits exactly that.

      And what technological work-arounds were you expecting? How does one "work around" the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act? How does one "work around" the precedents that make it impossible to write original music?

      --
      Will I retire or break 10K?
    3. Re:And Libraries can't own digital literature by einhverfr · · Score: 1

      It would be more effective to work at designing technological work-arounds to nullify bad laws rather than to attempt to modify these bad laws within the legal system.

      Under the DMCA, this is illegal (the access control clause). May I suggest an alternative?

      The alternative is to recognize that this is a problem and create *businesses* which try to solve the problem within the existing bounds of the legal system. This would include:

      Open Content friendly publishers (O'Reilly is one of these).

      Open Content friendly recording companies (MP3.COM tried, but they got entangled by trying to give customers more access to RIAA crap and were sued and eventually taken over). This is an area that we really need to focus on.

      Bringing Open Content more areas than just computer-related technical writings. Open Magazine is doing this to some extent, but it is still computer related. Time to branch out and release doctoral discertations under the FDL or equivalent licenses, and go from there....

      --

      LedgerSMB: Open source Accounting/ERP
    4. Re:And Libraries can't own digital literature by catman · · Score: 1

      See "Melancholy Elephants" by Spider Robinson.

    5. Re:And Libraries can't own digital literature by yerricde · · Score: 1

      I've read that story, which describes the problem of counterproductive copyright term extensions, but either I missed something or it didn't offer any technological solutions.

      --
      Will I retire or break 10K?
    6. Re:And Libraries can't own digital literature by catman · · Score: 1

      Thanks for the link! I read it on paper -
      No, it doesnt offer a solution, but I think it very nicely describes the problem, which exists here and now.

  97. BUT... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Google can run ads for people who want to SELL you Kazaa Lite! True, there are sites who offer it for free, but they still want your email address!

    This is just insane!

    The link you want is http:://www.kazaalitekpp.com

    Accept no imitations.

  98. Ladies and Gentlemen... the Lawsuit People! by The+Monster · · Score: 2, Funny

    Thats 'Sharman' networks :)
    Good. I want to get the spelling right...
    Sharman, there's no need to feel down
    I said, Sharman, pick yourself off the ground
    I said, Sharman, cause your code gets around
    There's no need... to... be... unhappy

    Sharman, there's a law you can use
    I said, Sharman, to confound and confuse
    You can try it, and I'm sure you will find
    They will take... it... down... in no time

    * * * * *

    It's fun invoking the D.M.C.A.
    It's fun invoking the D.M.C.A.

    It has every thing that Sharman could insist
    You just send out 'cease and desist'

    It's fun invoking the D.M.C.A.
    It's fun invoking the D.M.C.A.

    You can make any claim
    and respect it they will
    they'll suppress whatever you feel

    (Stopping after one verse and hoping that's within the limts of 'fair use' as defined this week.)
    --

    [100% ISO 646 Compliant]
    SVM, ERGO MONSTRO.

  99. Google should retaliate by sofar · · Score: 1


    by simply redirecting every search for "kazaa" to competing networks like morpheus, gnutella, opennap etc.

    I wonder how fast they would drop their DMCA complaint ;^)

    1. Re:Google should retaliate by Wolfier · · Score: 1

      How about, "if we find your DMCA claim bogus, we'll censor your site for a year"...

  100. [Private] Information by PhiberKut · · Score: 0

    Why does chilling effects make private information concerning contact details of the offending (Sharman) party?

    The original image of the copyright infringement notice has the contact information blacked out.

    Why does chilling effects do this? I honestly think that making this contact information publically available would be a VERY good thing. (Wink)

    --
    Elijah Chancey www.elijahsadventure.com nomadic IT consultant, bicycling across america "all that you touch / and all
  101. pirating should be free *as in beer* by aposch · · Score: 1

    Funny thing is, several of the censored links points to sucker-sites, where all you can get is a dialer. This disconnect your line to your provider, than re-establish a pricy connect to download something (maybe really kazaa-lite, have not tested).

    So, this time Sherman and DMCA protect you :)

  102. That's not annoying. This is annoying. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    <blockquote></blockquote>
    88888888888 .d8888b. 888
    888 d88P Y88b888
    888 Y88b. 888
    888 .d88b. 88888b.d88b. "Y888b. 888888
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    888 Y88..88P888 888 888 Y88b d88PY88b.
    888 "Y88P" 888 888 888 "Y8888P" "Y888

    8888888b. d8b
    888 "Y88b Y8P
    888 888
    888 888 .d88b. 88888b. 888.d8888b
    888 888d8P Y8b888 "88b88888K
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    8888888P" "Y8888 888 888888 88888P'

    .d8888b 8888b. 88888b. .d8888b
    d88P" "88b888 "88b88K
    888 .d888888888 888"Y8888b.
    Y88b. 888 888888 888 X88
    "Y8888P"Y888888888 888 88888P'

    888 888
    888 888
    888 888
    88888888888b. .d88b.
    888 888 "88bd8P Y8b
    888 888 88888888888
    Y88b. 888 888Y8b.
    "Y888888 888 "Y8888

    88888b.d88b. 8888b. 88888b.
    888 "888 "88b "88b888 "88b
    888 888 888.d888888888 888
    888 888 888888 888888 888
    888 888 888"Y888888888 888

    888
    888
    888
    88888b. 8888b. 88888b.d88b.
    888 "88b "88b888 "888 "88b
    888 888.d888888888 888 888
    888 888888 888888 888 888
    888 888"Y888888888 888 888

    <blockquote></blockquote>
    # Important Stuff: Please try to keep posts on topic.
    # Try to reply to other people's comments instead of starting new threads.
    # Read other people's messages before posting your own to avoid simply duplicating what has already been said.
    # Use a clear subject that describes what your message is about.
    # Offtopic, Inflammatory, Inappropriate, Illegal, or Offensive comments might be moderated. (You can read everything, even moderated posts, by adjusting your threshold on the User Preferences Page)

    Problems regarding accounts or comment posting should be sent to CowboyNeal.

  103. What about the competition? by azulcactus · · Score: 2, Insightful

    This whole issue is just sad but what I wonder is if the same notice was sent to other search engines? I believe Yahoo uses a lot of Google technology so that comparison isn't good but take AltaVista for example. Search for Kazaa Lite there and you see the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and probably more (got tired of counting) links are links listed in the DMCA suit.

    Why is this interesting? Google is a company whose business is to deliver the best results for any given search. If through the process of lawsuits, they no longer deliver the best results, users go elsewhere. So if all these companies target Google and only Google, in theory, eventually they could bring it down to a second rate service. I know you cannot selectively enforce patents (for this same reason), but not a clue about this lovely DMCA law.

  104. Welcome To Oceania. by mfivis · · Score: 0

    2 and 2 makes 5
    War is Peace
    Who controls the present controls the past, who controls the future controls the present.

  105. In Other News... by Radish03 · · Score: 1

    Sharman Networks Asks Slashdot To Remove Readers' Posts

    1. Re:In other news... by Lord_Dweomer · · Score: 1
      mod parent up! I'll bet the RIAA/MPAA just bust a collective nut when they read this. How long you think it will be before they try to use this in court?

      --
      Buy Steampunk Clothing Online!
  106. good luck. by Unknown+Poltroon · · Score: 1

    "taking somethingoff the internet is like trying to take the pee out of a swimming pool"
    -have no idea who said this.

    --
    All Troll + "offtopic" mods are meta moderated as "Unfair", because you abused the system.
  107. D.M.C.A. the song... by thumbtack · · Score: 1

    http://boycott.dmusic.com/music/stream/hifi/34031 very similar we did last Dec.

  108. Here's the list of URL's blocked! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Google provides a link to the "NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT" that Google was served. Here you'll find a list of the DMCA offending links. I suppose it's only a matter of time before the Notice itself is copyrighted, making such a posting illegal under DMCA. That would require yet another "NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT"!!

  109. Please censor Sharman Network's sites as well!! by Wolfier · · Score: 1

    How about a punitive action of taking away all official Kazaa sites from the search string Kazaa?

  110. Why Even Bother ... Honestly? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative
    I notice that the law firm's address and phone numbers are marked out as "[private]" on the DMCA complaint.

    Odd, when they make it public information on their website (whose URL isn't blocked out in the PDF file) and they don't have any other branches:

    Stubbs Alderton & Markiles, L.L.P.
    15821 Ventura Boulevard
    Suite 525
    Encino, CA 91436
    (818) 444-4500
    (818) 444-4520 fax
    info@biztechlaw.com e-mail

    On a side note -- honestly curious, not meant to be trolling -- how is 378,000 results "a bit lacking"? And they only removed 14?

    As for the blocked links, "the Internet interprets censorship as damage and routes around it." -- L. Peter Deutsch (or John Gilmore)

  111. let's not forget second best search engine by aeoo · · Score: 2, Informative

    Alltheweb

    Before I settled on Google, I remember these guys were running neck and neck with Google producing very high quality search results. Give it a try.

    It's a shame Google chose to remove the links instead of fighting the case.

  112. copyright by sstory · · Score: 1

    It's important to get an expansion of fair use from congress. I don't think that'll happen, though, and we'll all be the worse for it.

  113. Has this happened before? by DaCypher · · Score: 1

    Does anyone know of any other situations where Google has had to filter their results? I wonder what else we could be missing by assuming Google's results are so accurate and undoctored. At least there is a disclaimer at the bottom of the kazaa lite search results (for now).

  114. Oh Damn by Sphere1952 · · Score: 1

    You beat me to it.

    First thing I did, even before posting, was to check the complaint.

    --
    Big Brother Bush is doubleplus ungood.
  115. Why they did it, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    The reason that this was blocked was because kazaalite contains an ip blocker, with an automatic updater to get new ranges of RIAA scanners, MPAA, etc. Its hard to get a subpeona when the connection is dropped. So why not block access to a kazaalite site by dropping its largest referrer, google.

    Also to clear things up, there are different kazaa types.

    Kazaa -- Normal Kazaa

    Kazaagold -- Pay-for-Kazaa

    Kazaadiet -- Simple spyware removal

    Kazaalite -- Spyware removal, more features, and third party tools

    Kazaalite k++ -- Different from kazaalite, includes more features, and a constant pl of 1000

  116. Did you read the complaint? by Sphere1952 · · Score: 1


    The only problem I had was that google didn't turn the text in the complaint into links. (You know, "Oops. Our software does that automatically,")

    --
    Big Brother Bush is doubleplus ungood.
    1. Re:Did you read the complaint? by You're+All+Wrong · · Score: 1

      Some browsers do that automatically, anyway.

      YAW.

      --
      Your head of state is a corrupt weasel, I hope you're happy.
  117. Taking pee out of a swimming pool by throughthewire · · Score: 1
    "taking somethingoff the internet is like trying to take the pee out of a swimming pool"
    -have no idea who said this.

    According to this site it's from News Radio.

    Yeah, I found it by using Google.

  118. Horrendously OT by Jellybob · · Score: 2, Insightful
    I'll get slapped down by the mods for this, but your sig deserved a reply:

    How Slashdot should be. [LINK TO GOOGLE NEWS TECH SECTION]


    If that's what you want, why not trundle of and use the Google News tech section? It's not like anyones forcing you to stay.
    1. Re:Horrendously OT by Mwongozi · · Score: 2, Insightful

      My sig admittedly isn't very clear. I want the stories from Google's tech section, combined with a SlashDot-style comments system.

    2. Re:Horrendously OT by NanoGator · · Score: 2, Insightful

      "If that's what you want, why not trundle of and use the Google News tech section? It's not like anyones forcing you to stay. "

      Slashdot lets you discuss, Google does not. It's not about forcing, it's about niether side being perfect. Slashdot's got a great discussion forum going, Google has more interesting nerd news without the Anti-MS, disgustingly pro-Mozilla bias.

      --
      "Derp de derp."
  119. Re:Watch this site for further info on this takedo by Sphere1952 · · Score: 1


    Geeze. I didn't even notice Google'd linked to Chilling Effects. Bwahahaha! That means that the first thing Google did was contact either the Berkman Center or EFF and get them to put up the complaint immediately so they could link to it in a location which is going to be very hard to shut down. They're just begging for someone to try to use the DMCA on it.

    I wonder if we're going to see more on this. It looks a bit like a setup to make the DMCA look like the stupid law it is.

    --
    Big Brother Bush is doubleplus ungood.
  120. Get Your Facts Right by John+Hasler · · Score: 1

    > ...filed a legal complaint to block Kazaa Lite...

    I see no evidence that any legal complaint has been filed. A "Cease and Desist" letter is not a legal complaint.

    > It's scary that the DMCA makes URLs a copyright
    > violation.

    It doesn't.

    --
    Warning: this article may contain humor, sarcasm, parody, and perhaps even irony. Read at your own risk.
  121. Further irony by xigxag · · Score: 1
    Why is it that this DMCA cease and desist letter is entitled to a degree of anonymity,


    Stubbs Alderton & Markiles, LLP
    [private]
    Encino, California 91436
    Tel: (xxx) xxx-xxxx
    Email: [private]@biztechlaw.com

    Very truly yours,

    [private]
    ...when even suspected infringers are not entitled to any corresponding anonymity under the DMCA? Seems a trifle unfair. What's sauce for the goose ought to be sauce for the gander.
    --
    There are two kinds of people: 1) those who start arrays with one and 1) those who start them with zero.
    1. Re:Further irony by You're+All+Wrong · · Score: 1

      Stubbs Alderton & Markiles, LLP
      15821 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 525
      Encino, California 91436
      office > 818.444.4500
      fax > 818.444.4520
      email > info@biztechlaw.com

      All from:
      http://www.biztechlaw.com/html/contact.html

      Have a peek at their site - it told me they were complete wankers within a fraction of a second. I use a text-mode browser by default.

      YAW

      --
      Your head of state is a corrupt weasel, I hope you're happy.
    2. Re:Further irony by xigxag · · Score: 1

      Thanks. I had noticed that general info, but it still doesn't tell us who the specific sleazoid attorney was who drafted the C&D letter.

      --
      There are two kinds of people: 1) those who start arrays with one and 1) those who start them with zero.
  122. Kazaa Lite is piracy. by glrotate · · Score: 2, Insightful

    They are distributing modified Kazaa material without permission.

    It would be like me distributing Linux with the GPL notices removed.

    When you want somethin', and you don't want to pay for it...

    1. Re:Kazaa Lite is piracy. by God!+Awful+2 · · Score: 1

      Hey, right. That would be like delousing it.

      -a

  123. Add it back into google! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Hmmm, lets see,

    http://www.google.com/addurl.html

    http://www.k-lite.tk, added...job done ;o)

  124. Re:Ironic / Wrong by Famatra · · Score: 1

    KazaaLite is a hack of Kazaa, and thus blatant piracy.

    Not necessarily so. The people of Kazaa Lite could have reversed engineered Kazaa as to the protocols, and made a program that logs onto their network. Nothing illegal about that at all.

    If people say incorrect stuff like this, forgetting that reverse engineering is LEGAL, it simply makes it easier for that right to be eroded or taken away.

  125. Re:Ask the ACLU to Defend the Search-Engine Compan by poofmeisterp · · Score: 1

    There's really no point in asking the ACLU to step in because Google hasn't expressed an interest in defending themselves from this in the first place.
    Simply, they aren't asking for help; they're just caving in. Why bother helping them?
    Let them watch their users start leaving because of this, and perhaps at that point they will want to defend themselves and enlist the help of the ACLU or the EFF.

  126. Gee by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Where can I find a list of all Lite URLS? But where else, in the complaint itself! Seems I'll be bmarking Chilling Effects as an underground search engine now.

  127. Won't work anyway. by Nucleon500 · · Score: 1
    Obviously the DMCA shouldn't apply to links. But it won't work anyway, because to complain about the links you must identify them (unless you pull a SCO), so if the complaint is public, the links are easily seen anyway.

    Now, instead of one click, it takes one click, one copy-n-paste, and one keystroke to view the sites. Just click on the complaint link.

  128. Re:The Gun part of the comment by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    a little divergence sorry but... Just who is responsible when a gun dealer has no records on the sale of 250 guns which may have been all sold to criminals?? Under federal law its like a parking ticket. How many guns have to 'mysteriously disapear' from a dealers inventory before the manufacturer should stop selling to that dealer? Who is accountable for sales to criminals..thats what the naacp suit was about.

  129. We are living in a connected world. by Futurepower(R) · · Score: 1


    The fact that Google is doing something that everyone needs, and doing it very well, tends to make it impossible for others to compete. An Indian company would find it difficult or impossible to compete with Google. So, there is an issue for Indians that they are being held to U.S. law.

    Petroleum, for example, is supplied by profit-making companies, but there is consideration in the U.S. government to define petroleum as a public service, so that Petroleum companies will be required to give more information about how they are operating. (That's because we have $2.00 now, with no explanation about why the price increased, even though the additional Iraqi oil has entered the market.)

    This Google thing is a trivial example, because the facts are that Google, in cooperation with the Kazaa law firm, are advertising Kazaa Lite, not suppressing it. Because of them we are now getting something more, not less. We are getting Kazaa's understanding of the best places to get Kazaa Lite.

    Another issue of this same nature, that is not trivial, is that Microsoft has made an operating system that has become the only operating system used by most people. An Indian company, or a company from any country, would find it very, very difficult to compete with Microsoft. So Indians are being bound to Microsoft's low quality. Indians who use Microsoft Windows are vulnerable to all the many, many security holes, and departments of the U.S. government are known to exploit those holes. This is particularly severe for the Indian government, that may not want to be under hidden control by the U.S. government. That's why Linux is so extremely important.

    We are living in a connected world, and we cannot pretend that we are not responsible for all the effects of our actions.

  130. In other news... by jmors · · Score: 3, Insightful
    From: RIAA

    To: Sharman Networks

    To whom it may concern,

    We are pleased to see others taking a stand against the providing of links to illegal versions of copyrighted works. We agree wholeheartedly with your stand that providing search results to copyrighted material is a criminal act. As someone who obviously upholds our philosophy we KNOW that you will be all too happy to remove from any search results that your software provides any links to dowloads of copyrighted works such as music, movies, other software and the like.

    Thank you so much for proving our point!

    IDIOTS!

    --
    The Matrix is real... but I'm only visiting!
  131. Google should by TCaM · · Score: 1

    respond to these dmca requests by also removing and and all links to the company making the requests. Sharman networks makes this request, they, their products and their site then cease to exist in the google database as well.

  132. Tell google your pissed off.... by thenarftwit · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Why not go to this page and complain to google that you are fed up with this nonsense and will change search engines as a response... http://www.google.com/contact/search.html

    1. Re:Tell google your pissed off.... by geek2003 · · Score: 1

      But how come the same rules dont apply to MSN. Here's what I got on www.msn.com for a search on Kazaa Lite - http://search.msn.com/results.asp?RS=CHECKED&FORM= MSNH&v=1&q=kazaa+lite Double Standards, eh?

  133. Interstate commerce and copyright clauses by yerricde · · Score: 1

    The power to lay and collect taxes is limited in that it only applies to the funding of government powers to execute responsibilities specifically enumerated in the Constitution.

    Article I, section 8:

    The Congress shall have power ... To regulate commerce ... among the several states, and ... To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries.

    All DMCA powers spring from Congress's power under the commerce clause and the copyright clause.

    --
    Will I retire or break 10K?
    1. Re:Interstate commerce and copyright clauses by militantbob · · Score: 1

      To an extent, this would be true. It comes down to property rights and copyright law. However, the Framers coudn't forsee the internet, and Thomas Jefferson said that all future interpretations of the Constitution should be limited to the language, usage, and definitions in use at the time of the framing. And Jefferson would never believe that government should punish me if I told you which store was selling the illegal knock-off of a patented or copyrighted item. The file-sharers are guilty - Kazaa is not (although KazaaLite *is*, just by existing). And Google most certainly is in the clear, Constitutionally speaking.

      --
      "The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of Patriots and Tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
  134. Software EULAS are not law by autopr0n · · Score: 1

    They can say whatever they want in those things. It dosn't that it would hold up in court. 99% of the stuff in those things is BS.

    --
    autopr0n is like, down and stuff.
  135. Wow by autopr0n · · Score: 2, Funny

    Talk about ironic.

    --
    autopr0n is like, down and stuff.
  136. Google DID take revenge on scientology by mangu · · Score: 2, Funny

    Do a google on "goatse" and you'll find it cathegorized as "Society, Religion and Spirituality, ... , Scientology"

    1. Re:Google DID take revenge on scientology by danila · · Score: 1

      That's cool. :) The only thing that spoils the fun is the fact that Click Here to Win! is not in the index (this time not because of DMCA, but because of robots.txt).

      --
      Future Wiki -- If you don't think about the future, you cannot have one.
    2. Re:Google DID take revenge on scientology by Pig+Hogger · · Score: 1

      Oddly enough, there is no category for "tubgirl.com"...

  137. Uhhh Google wins again... by thebigmacd · · Score: 2, Informative

    I clicked on the sample search for "Kazaa Lite" and the second link said "download Kazaa Lite K++" and the third link said "Official Kazaa Lite K++ Website"

    Google: 1-0
    Sharman: 0-1

  138. banning strings can be a double-edged sword... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Time to rename Kazaa Lite to RiAA
    (Ridiculous Anti-Americanism? :-)

    AC

  139. Re:Ironic / Wrong by heironymouscoward · · Score: 1

    The people of Kazaa Lite could have reversed engineered Kazaa as to the protocols...

    Except they didn't, they took the Kazaa package, removed and renamed some files, modified others, and redistributed the result under a name that was intentionally very similar. What else can you call this but "crooked". Redistributing modified versions of someone's non-OSS package...

    Try it, you will see for yourself.

    --
    Ceci n'est pas une signature
  140. government-run schools and libraries by GlenRaphael · · Score: 1
    A side note about public libraries and such: I've never been able to reconcile my views on individual sovereignty and property rights in relation to public libraries and schools. Thomas Jefferson and I had the same problem.

    An individual should not be forced to pay taxes to fund a program for the benefit of others. Yet an uneducated populace is an easy target for propaganda and dictatorship.

    I think the first mistake is to assume that decent access to books wouldn't exist if the government didn't provide that service. Private subscription libraries and charity-funded libraries work pretty well too. The first "public" libraries weren't tax-funded, and the system that produced them (including the Carnegie libraries all across the country) could have kept right on doing so. In addition, the growth of new and used bookstores and improved book-making technology has greatly improved access to affordable books for just about everyone.

    The second mistake is to assume that public schools help people resist propaganda. That's just silly. Without public schools, people would probably be better than they are now at recognizing propaganda because they wouldn't have been subjected to so much irrational dogmatic nonsense disguised as education. Having a single legal monopoly provider of education services in a huge geographic region makes it much easier for those who want to bias the curriculum in various ways to do so by dumbing down the textbooks and in other ways influencing the statewide curriculum.

    In a more competitive system, teaching methods and information sources would be more varied with different schools trying different approaches. There'd be no single point of failure, no solitary commitee one could influence in order to change the information that 90% of the students in a state are exposed to. So the propagandist's task would be harder than it is today.

    --
    I play Nerd-Folk!
    1. Re:government-run schools and libraries by militantbob · · Score: 1

      I'm well aware of the benefits of private competitive schools.

      My intention was the *idea* of public schools had merit, as it does offer some assurance that children would not remain ignorant forever. That said, America's educational standards fell apart in the late 1960's... right about the time we got this new thing called the Department of Education. And wasn't it the children of that time and the following decade who set us up for the moral and intellectual collapse that is strangling us today?

      The concept is a good one. Or could have been.

      So why can't Johnny read? Because he was educated by people who, as adult teachers, only learned half as much as *their* parents did - so how much is Johnny learning, when it's his turn? Just enough to push buttons at work, push buttons at home, and push buttons at the voting booth.

      --
      "The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of Patriots and Tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
    2. Re:government-run schools and libraries by Rogerborg · · Score: 1

      Why would Johnny have to learn how to push buttons at the voting booth? Or do you mean that it'd be smart for him to affirm his vote for Republican?

      --
      If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
  141. further than you think by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Curious to see exactly which searches caused the DMCA message to come up, I added the first two words that came into my head to the "kazaa lite" search string.

    http://www.google.com/search?q=kazaa+lite+monkey+h orse comes up with some very interesting results. Perhaps they did more than just block the URL's :)

  142. freedom of choice by selfabuse · · Score: 1

    I noticed this yesterday. Got me a new lappy, and wanted to download a couple things. Searched google for kazaalite, and couldn't find the link I was looking for (even though I distinctly remember finding it on Google last week) so what did i do? I used another search engine.. (http://www.dogpile.com actually)

  143. Devious Revenge by Quick+Reply · · Score: 1

    So If I file a complaint against KMD, will their links get removed too?

  144. Your Wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    A company whose entire business model is based on facilitating copyright infringement ...

    The business model is to facilitate p2p file sharing NOT copyright infringement. Granted, a fair amount, a majority even, of p2p file sharing involves copyrighted works some of which is legal, much of it not BUT not all p2p file sharing involves copyrighted works and of the copyrighted works not all involves infringement.

    P2p software enables a method of user to user file sharing. Be it for evil or for good, the utilization of this method for lawful or unlawful purposes is the responsibility of the user NOT the implementer of the method. FTP is another method of file exchange which has all the same problems involving the exchange of copyrighted works which can and often does involve infringement yet few are calling the creators of software that incorporate the File Transfer Protocol the "Fathers of Copyright Infringement".

    By this reasoning TCP/IP facilitates copyright infringement, search engines facilitate copyright infringement with each and every personal computer a copyright infringement machine. If we were talking about hauling a carload of bootleg cd's down the interstate, the RIAA and others should be utilizing the DMCA to outlaw cars, trucks, roads, gas stations and maps.

    Man, I can walk into a hardware store and buy a screwdriver. Do you have any idea the amount of nefarious shit one can get into with a screwdriver? They shouldn't make the things. I mean, it's just an open invitation.

    1. Re:Your Wrong by acceleriter · · Score: 1

      That's weak. No matter what substansive examples of "non-infringing use" you can come up with, it's pretty obvious to anyone who'se been around awhile that the original TCP/IP protocol stack and utilities like ftp were designed for legitimate purposes. It's also pretty obvious what Napster and Kazaa were designed for. If you want to pretend that these were designed for sharing mom's blueberry recipies with five billion of your closest friends, that's fine with me, but don't expect anyone to believe it.

      --

      CEE5210S The signal SIGHUP was received.

  145. Cut and Paste!? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I use Safari, and don't have to cut and paste a thing :)

  146. Can Someone Explain What Google Did Wrong? by Kneo24 · · Score: 1

    Maybe it's due to ignorance on my part, but what exactly has google done wrong in this case that they deserve the wrath of the DMCA? I really can't figure it out. WIll someone be kind enough to explain it to me?

  147. This is INSANE!!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This is INSANE!!! What is wrong with this world, everone is going berserk??? Microsoft cuts off third party Messengers from MSN messenger, Kazaa is freaking out on Google, RIAA drags music fans in court... What the hell is going on here????

  148. Sharman Networks Cites the DMCA to Slashdot by Kneo24 · · Score: 1

    Next thing you know, Sharman Networks will cite the DMCA to Slashdot in order to get the links that slashdotters have posted, removed.

  149. Slippery Slope by The+Ape+With+No+Name · · Score: 1

    How long before libraries can't index books? Or own them?

    Right after this stops being illogical.

    --
    Comparing it to Windows will be a moot point, since El Dorado is going to have a 40% larger code base than XP.
  150. silly.. by destiney · · Score: 1


    If you already know about Kazaa Lite, why would you be searching for it on Google? Why not just type the url and be done with it?

    Aside from that, I'd guess that most people found Kazaa via download.com or by word of mouth, not through Google. We all love Google, but removing those urls isn't gonna slow Kazaa down at all.

  151. Google is evil, too. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You got that right. Google has no soul. THEY DO EVIL THINGS, despite their claims to the contrary. There were so many ways Google could have done the right thing here, instead they caved. It's good to know where your search engine falls when the chips are down. I'm looking for a new engine to rely on now. This sucks.

    1. Re:Google is evil, too. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The evil thing here is the DMCA. Google did the best they could within the law. The DMCA requires that they remove links that are reported as being copyright violations. Yes, it sucks that the complainant doesn't have to actually prove that any copyrights are being violated, but that's the law.

      Think about it: most other search engines would've just removed the results and left it at that. Google, on the other hand, attempts to inform their users about the evils of DMCA, and provides a link to the complaint (which includes the URLs that were removed).

  152. We need an organized Google protest!!! by chipwich · · Score: 1

    No, we're not going to protest Google, silly... We need the tech-savy Google staff to perform an organized protest just like the UK software patent protest.
    For a single day, Google should delist all search terms where the DMCA has been used to try to force Google to break only selected links.

    If Google indiscriminately cutoff all of these links, then Sharman (Kazaa), Church of Scientology, and many other sites would be hurt by their own actions. If the wording were right on the "delisted" search result page, perhaps this would even bring the outrage of the DMCA to public attention.

    What a fitting application of the golden rule!


    Anyone who can help me get this idea to the top at Google?

    No doubt Google desires to be apolitical, but the DMCA (and software patents) will kill even their business model if this progression is not reversed soon.

  153. chilling effect url by millette · · Score: 1
    The neat part is, if you follow http://www.chillingeffects.org/dmca512/notice.cgi? NoticeID=789 you get a list of the "banned" site:
    1. http://www.kazaagold.com
    2. http://mp3download.com
    3. http://www.kazaalite.tk
    4. http://www.kaaza.com
    5. http://doa2.host.sk
    6. ...
  154. Some Books are already removed from libraries by nurb432 · · Score: 1

    Some books are already under restricted access ( or removed totally ) at your public library, courtesy of the patriot act.. or various 'anti-hate' laws, here in the USA.

    --
    ---- Booth was a patriot ----
  155. Name Change in store by nurb432 · · Score: 1

    Perhaps a simple name change to K-Lite would be enough to get these guys off our backs..

    But i agree, its rather hypocritical of Sharman to bitch about what hardly amounts to infringement when they promote REAL infringement..

    This suit happy mentality has got to stop.. its going to destroy our very way of life.

    --
    ---- Booth was a patriot ----
  156. Here is my mirror of the list by Pig+Hogger · · Score: 1

    in my signature... :)

    1. Re:Here is my mirror of the list by geek2003 · · Score: 1

      When they can do it to Google, one of the most popular sites in the world, what is the guarantee they wont do it to the smaller guys. Is this the beginning of the end of free expression/speech? *shudders* . This is really a very sad development :-(

    2. Re:Here is my mirror of the list by Pig+Hogger · · Score: 1

      They can try to do it to me... But they'll quickly find out that I am immune to US law.

  157. Re:Ironic / Wrong by Pig+Hogger · · Score: 1

    One obvious solution is to distribute a Kazaa Lite patcher that transforms a Kazaa into Kazaa Lite prior to installation. Now there is no copyright violation. Nobody is distributing even a patched version of Kazaa.

    Except they didn't, they took the Kazaa package, removed and renamed some files, modified others, and redistributed the result under a name that was intentionally very similar. What else can you call this but crooked. Redistributing modified versions of someone's non-OSS package...

    Hmm. Maybe this could be something.

    First, you take the Kazaa distribution file. Then you take the Kazaa-lite distribution file, XOR it with the legit Kazaa distribution file.

    Combine the resulting data into an utility program that takes the legit Kazaa distribution file, XORs it with the data, thus producing the Kazaa-lite file.

    Let's call it LightenKZ.exe

    [ Kazaa ] XOR [ Kazaa-lite ] = [ LightenKZ.exe ]

    then

    [ Kazaa ] XOR [ LightenKZ.exe ] = [ Kazaa-lite ]

    Now, there is *NO* copyright infringement, as [ LightenKZ.exe ] is NEITHER Kazaa nor Kazaa-lite .

  158. Other languages. by Oscar_Wilde · · Score: 2, Interesting

    What gets me is that Google isn't listing the URLs for other languages or countries.

    I know that there is nothing to stop people in the US from using foreign google searches but must the rest of the world be subjected to bad US laws?...

  159. And it works? by Large+Green+Mallard · · Score: 1

    Traditionally, foreign entities and nationals bringing legal action in the US have been almost singularlly unsuccessful.

    *reads it a bit further* my Australian great-aunt married a US serviceman after WW2 and lives in upstate NY. Does this mean I am allowed to bring civil actions in the US? :D

    1. Re:And it works? by C10H14N2 · · Score: 1

      This law was used to bring Swiss banks to pay over a billion dollars in damages to holocaust victims. I would hardly call that "unsuccessful." Human Rights Watch has a rather extensive background on the law and recent cases. Not so ironically in the context of this thread, the law was originally written to allow the prosecution of foreign pirates for actions outside the United States.

    2. Re:And it works? by Large+Green+Mallard · · Score: 1

      So generally speaking, it's been written to allow extra-territorial prosecutions - generally to benefit US interests - and not the other way around? :)

    3. Re:And it works? by C10H14N2 · · Score: 1

      Of course. To deliberately draft something so altruistic in the 18th century would be dramatically un-American. Of course, back then, you pretty much had to be a wealthy white guy to do anything of consequence in the U.S. Damned shame about emancipation, universal suffrage, the civil rights movement and the United Nations broadening the scope just a tad. Piiiiity :P

  160. only on Google? MSN is still good :) by axxackall · · Score: 1

    Hmm, it seems like Microsoft has some sort of immunization against DMCA: MSN still shows all those links without any worning :)

    --

    Less is more !
  161. Contact the law firm responsible by DiveX · · Score: 1

    Besides making your complaint heard among a crowd of complainers, which will not be heard by the people responsible, why not complain to those that are responsible for this? Emails to kazaa.com might be ignored, but those to the law firms must be read by someone. It is hard for them to simply do a mass delete of emails since doing so will severely limit their ability to represent the client. especially when they delete something that may have bearing on the case.

    The posted complaint had the user specific data removed, but the domain information remained (biztechlaw.com).

    Whois info for, biztechlaw.com (note: they canot even properlly spell their own company name):

    Registrant:
    Business & Technolgy Law Group
    19687 Los Alimos Street
    Chatsworth, CA 91311
    US

    Domain name: BIZTECHLAW.COM

    Administrative Contact:
    Alderton, Scott salderton@eglgroup.com
    19687 Los Alimos Street
    Chatsworth, CA 91311
    US
    818-486-1970 Fax: 818-363-7249

    Technical Contact:
    Administrator, Domain domreg@infostreet.com
    18345 Ventura Blvd
    Ste 416
    Tarzana, CA 91356
    US
    818 776 8080 Fax: 818 776 2999

    Registration Service Provider:
    InfoStreet, Inc., domreg@infostreet.com
    818 776 8080
    This company may be contacted for domain login/passwords,
    DNS/Nameserver changes, and general domain support questions.

    Registrar of Record: TUCOWS, INC.
    Record last updated on 18-Aug-2003.
    Record expires on 22-Mar-2012.
    Record Created on 22-Mar-2002.

    Domain servers in listed order:
    NS1.BDE3D.COM 66.186.13.144
    NS.BDE3D.COM 64.60.8.163

    A google search of biztechlaw.com also shows and email address of salderton@biztechlaw.com.

    A search on this guy turns up a bit of irony as one of the first hits: "Scott Alderton will moderate a panel discussion on "Venturing in New Media: A Content Meltdown?" " Content meltdown eh?

    The contact page on their website is in .jpg format, I assume to stop spam bots from harvesting, but for those interested:

    Stubbs Alderton & Markiles, LLP
    15821 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 525
    Encino, CA 91436
    office 818-444-4500
    fax 818-444-4520
    email info@biztechlaw.com

    The partners seem to be Scott Alderton (direct 818-444-4501; fax 818-474-8601; salderton@biztechlaw.com), Joe Stubbs (direct 818-444-4507; fax 818-474-8607; jstubbs@biztechlaw.com), and Murray Markiles (direct,818.444.4505; fax 818-474-8605; mmarkiles@biztechlaw.com).

    Those that participate in usenet, copy the data and post it so interested parties may contact Kazaa'a representation so as to convey their personal opinions. I sent them an email already of what I felt concerning their actions and those of their client.

    --
    Cave, wreck, and deep diver.
  162. You don't even need that connection as a business by zenyu · · Score: 1

    Most contries are signatories to the WTO treaty. This gives all business located in any WTO country the same standing in court. A US corporation has all the rights of citizenship except for the vote (they are actually allowed to give more money to politicians than people are allowed to), so if you just file the papers to establish a corporation in your country you can sue anyone in the USA.

  163. Isn't that the same tactics by Creep73 · · Score: 1

    the music and movie industry is using?

    I do not feel sorry for Sharman Networks any longer. At this point I almost hope that the music and movie industry put them out of business. It seems stupid, to me, to ask someone to remove access to sites that may be infringing upon your material all the while fighting against the exact same request from the music and movie industry but hey, what do I know.

  164. Thank you . by Unknown+Poltroon · · Score: 1

    Always wonderd wher ethat came from.

    --
    All Troll + "offtopic" mods are meta moderated as "Unfair", because you abused the system.
  165. xMule and eMule by KiDSSHoW · · Score: 1

    how long before those two get intimidated to ?

    i guess they'll censor xMule first knowing what's happening to main developper
    (http://home.regit.org/datas/html/arti cle-xmule.php.html).

    they really work hard to scare the masses!

  166. they'll list fraudulent sites by wadiwood · · Score: 1

    for instance there is a "company" called "Sun Biometrics".

    If you enter that into google you get their website top of the list

    Sun Biometrics

    But if you read this, you'll find the whole deal is fake, but google insists on giving it legitimacy by listing it. And I actually had an email conversation with them suggesting that was a bad idea but they said they couldn't edit their lists. Bullshit.

    --

    -- it must be true, it's on the internet.
  167. Actually, they both do have a copyright by cgenman · · Score: 1

    If Gamespot took the images themselves, they are doing the equivalent of taking a photograph. As a photograph can have significant creative value, it can be copyrightable.

    So yes, under US law, Gamespot can have a copyright on the images they take of other company's games. This doesn't preclude, necessarily, the original gaming company from also having some degree of copyright jurisdiction over the image as it is a derivitave work. But that basically grants them the right to veto a usage of the work, not to override the other partner's veto of a usage of the work.

    Basically, if you were in America and that law applied to you, they would have a strong case. IANAL, but if I were you I would steal some ROMS and take your own screenshots. It's better to stay on the safe side of the law.

    1. Re:Actually, they both do have a copyright by InadequateCamel · · Score: 1

      >IANAL, but if I were you I would steal some ROMS and take your own screenshots. It's better to stay on the safe side of the law.

      Heh. Was that an intentional contradiction, or did you not notice that you advised him to make his website pictures legal by stealing the software that produces those pictures?

      I wonder if that works in other walks of life:
      "You are under arrest for stealing this vehicle."
      "But Officer, I was driving under the speed limit!"

    2. Re:Actually, they both do have a copyright by dswan69 · · Score: 1

      Complete rubbish. By that logic if I take a photograph of a photograph you took, then I own the copyright to that photograph; and similarly for copying anything else. Screenshots have no creative value, they are an exact copy of the screen.

      This is just a case of some technically ignorant legal section throwing their weight around because they figure the DMCA is there for them to abuse and most people won't fight back. Would be great if they tried this with wrong person.

    3. Re:Actually, they both do have a copyright by Junior+J.+Junior+III · · Score: 1

      Why not just take a picture of Gamespot's picture? Then you'd be doing the equivalent of taking a photograph of Gamespot's IP, which is a photograph of a screen capture that is the game developer's IP.

      If this is the way copyright laws really work, copyright law is ridiculous.

      --
      You see? You see? Your stupid minds! Stupid! Stupid!
    4. Re:Actually, they both do have a copyright by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Complete rubbish. By that logic if I take a photograph of a photograph you took, then I own the copyright to that photograph; and similarly for copying anything else. Screenshots have no creative value, they are an exact copy of the screen.
      Yes, they *are* an exact copy of the screen. That doesn't preclude them from being creative. GameSpot may have gone to some non-trivial effort to place the screen elements "just so", to show mood, or highlight some feature of the game. While I would have trouble believing that a straight capture from a game intro would have creative content, an action capture may.
    5. Re:Actually, they both do have a copyright by Stephen+Samuel · · Score: 1
      You would own the copyright to the image, to the extent to which it was a new work (I.e. if you sliced it up and rearranged it to look like something else, or put it in justaposition with something else to create a different effect). -- but to the extent to which my photo was in your photo, I would have some control over it as a derivative copy (i.e. if your photo was JUST my photo and all of my photo, I'd have about 99% copyright over it).

      At some point -- as my photo becomes less and less an integral part of your photo, it would become effectively just your picture (i.e. a picture on the wall in the background of an otherwise busy image focused on something going on in the middle of the room).
      ______

      Let's say, for example, that I take a picture of you standing on a beach. I'd own copyright in the picture, but you have an effective copyright on your face, so I'd need to get a release from you to submit it to a magazine. Suppose that Bill Gates then took a picture of RMS holding my picture:

      Bill Gates would own the picture, but would require a release from RMS (face), me(those parts of my picture that weren't your picture), and you (face, if it was recognizable) before he could publish it.
      He could, however, get around the release requirement by removing or obscuring those parts of the image that were owned by an intransigent party. (I.E. replacing RMS with a picture of Bill to avoid having to GPL the image).

      The reason why a screenshot could be considered a work on it's own would be mostly a result of the work that the user did to getting to the point where the screen was displayed. Yes, the various elements are technically copyright by the game designers, but I'd expect that "fair use" analysis would determine that that wasn't the important aspect of the image (in most cases).

      IANAL, but I like acting like one.

      --
      Free Software: Like love, it grows best when given away.
  168. Not a hack, a specialized installer by cgenman · · Score: 1

    Actually, KazaaLite isn't a hack, it is a selective installer. Instead of modifying the code for the program, it takes the original packages and selectively installs only the parts that the end-user would want.

    If they distributed this separately, it would be a total non-issue. The fact that they are distributed together is what leads to copyright violation. But a hack? No. Blatant Piracy? Words have meaning, and in this case "Blatant Piracy" isn't what you mean.

  169. Hey, buddy. by pr0ntab · · Score: 1

    There's nothing wrong with a pro-Mozilla bias. It IS the shiznits. I've got it running amicibily on all our disparate platforms.

    And google is definitely not nerd news, just news that happens to appear prominently on the Internet. There's a weak correlation there, but it's not systemic or intentional.

    --
    Fuck Beta. Fuck Dice
    1. Re:Hey, buddy. by NanoGator · · Score: 1

      "There's nothing wrong with a pro-Mozilla bias. It IS the shiznits. I've got it running amicibily on all our disparate platforms."

      I'm not complaining about Mozilla itself, it's the over-the-top zealousy of it. I respect Mozilla just fine, I think it's something the community should be damned proud of. But that doesn't mean make headline news out of minor revisions of it.

      Linux is treated the same way sometimes, though not as badly today as it used to be. I remember two years ago thinking "Hey, my coworker installed Linux at home so his wife could use it, this story could make front page!"

      My point is that its hard to take stories about Mozilla (and IE) because of how over-the-top they are about it. If somebody creates a Mozilla exploit, how can I trust Slashdot to post it? I can always trust Slashdot to post IE exploits, but I cannot trust that the article that Slashdot points to about Microsoft's recent evil deeds are actually evil deeds.

      That sort of clear my thoughts up a bit? Reading the tech news on Google is a breath of fresh air. The authors may have their personal biases, but at least you can pick from the stories on the same topic.

      --
      "Derp de derp."
  170. That sound you hear... by ndogg · · Score: 1

    ...is about a million people saying "Oh, the irony!"

    --
    // file: mice.h
    #include "frickin_lasers.h"
  171. Go foreign! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It is getting to a point where only foreign websites, search engines and the like will only be able to tell you the real story. Well, actually, we are pretty much there. The media is totally control by a tiny little minority. What's the point of watching CNN and the like, if you know that the information is almost always limited and distorted.

  172. Kazaa unveils ad-free version for US$30 by badlydubbedboy · · Score: 1

    http://www.infoworld.com/article/03/08/28/HNkaz_1. html?source=rss&url=http://www.infoworld.com/artic le/03/08/28/HNkaz_1.html I imagine this is why Sharman Networks took the action they did. For morals' sake, I think we should try to find another P2P network!

  173. still plenty of links.. by ncstockguy · · Score: 1

    It's an interesting story, and troubling that google is once again positioning itself as a censor..but I still found plenty of links for downloading kazaa lite, if I had wanted to. Just a little more creativity involved is all.

  174. What's the big deal? by Rogerborg · · Score: 1

    Any and all of the sites on the list can get themselves relisted simply by asking Google to do so. It's not as though Kazaa is actually going to bring suit against them, is it?

    --
    If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
  175. The internet routes around blockages automatically by Junior+J.+Junior+III · · Score: 1

    So what happens if I search Kazaa for "kazaa lite"? Oh, good. Bye, google.

    --
    You see? You see? Your stupid minds! Stupid! Stupid!
  176. DMCA notice from Comcast by FlyGirl · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I also got one from my ISP (Comcast). Apparently my roomie downloaded a "cracked" version (it showed up in a websearch) of a program that she wanted to try and installed it. It didn't work, but it pointed her to the RIGHT site and she downloaded the demo -- which did work. But a week later, we got a letter (snailmail) telling me that we are violating the DMCA and need to explain what we are doing about it -- it even contained the name of the program and the words "cracked version." Apparently the program "phones home" when it thinks it is a cracked version.

    So much for them ever selling either of us... or anyone we know... that software!

  177. Songwriters by yerricde · · Score: 1

    Open Content friendly recording companies

    Open Content recordings must be made of Open Content musical works. (Musical works are created by songwriters and reproduced in sheet music; recordings are created by performers and audio engineers and reproduced in audio CDs.) If a songwriter decides to write Open Content musical works, how can he or she verify that the songs are in fact original musical works?

    --
    Will I retire or break 10K?
  178. Mozilla exploits... by pr0ntab · · Score: 1

    have been posted before on Slashdot

    There haven't been too many, (check SecurityFocus) which is good, plus it gives you a reason to have a little healthy zeal. And it makes it all the more important to not ignore potential problems.

    And it's not like we shun Konqueror or Opera here or anything, you know?

    --
    Fuck Beta. Fuck Dice
  179. Kazaa of all companies! by g_shdsl · · Score: 1

    Kazaa of all companies whom makes its living violating this law is complaining that other companies are pirating their software and name! Ha! How ironic. How hilarious! If I was Google I would have laughed in their face!

  180. Jurisdiction by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    In order to bring a DMCA action against Google in California, wouldn't Sharman have to send a representative to California? And isn't the RIAA likely to serve whomever shows up with thirteen kinds of legal summons in other cases?

    It's all very well for Sharman to hire a few lawyers in Encino and task them with sending a cease and desist to Google in Mountainview, but as soon as Sharman avails itself of the help an actual court in California to get their DMCA complaint enforced, they'll have submitted themselves to the jurisdiction of the federal court sitting in California.

    That's strange.

  181. Something Bogus Comes this way.... by Univac_1004 · · Score: 1

    Anybody who would bother entering "kazaa lite" into google will be referred to almost 390,000 links; the second one is a download site for the evil product. The link to the nastygram does appear at the bottom of the first page, but outside of generating a lot of noise on /. it has no effect. (If you will allow that noice on /. is an effect.....)

  182. Still Works in New Zealand (.co.nz) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    woot!

  183. PC Pro Story by muirhead · · Score: 1
    There's article on PC Pro here with a reciprocal link to this story.

  184. Re:Ironic / Wrong by UserGoogol · · Score: 1

    No, but it is probably a derivative work of both.

    --
    "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity." -- Hanlon's Razor