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Harlan Ellison Can Sue AOL Under DMCA

Posted by timothy on from the one-man-not-to-have-against-you dept.

mbstone writes "The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that sci-fi author Harlan Ellison can go ahead with his DMCA lawsuit against AOL. Seems somebody posted some Ellison stories to Usenet, AOL made 'em available, Ellison complained, and AOL blew him off."

8 of 98 comments (clear)

  1. Wear Sunscreen? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    What, is Ellison mad because too many people are downloading his "Wear Sunscreen" speech?

    "If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.

    Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine. "

  2. Obvious? by kurosawdust · · Score: 5, Funny

    "I Have No Morals Yet I Must Sue"?

  3. In related news by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    In related news, every McDonald's in the country has a photo of Harlan posted, with instructions NEVER to serve him hot coffee.

  4. Re:Unfair and Unreasonable Legislation by squiggleslash · · Score: 2, Funny
    Well, isn't the obvious way to test where AOL/TW stands to post some Warner Brothers movies and Time magazine articles on Usenet, and see what they do?

    Er, you first though! ;-)

    --
    You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
  5. Re:It can't be stolen by damitbill · · Score: 2, Funny

    If I have copyrighted or patented my car, then yes it would be stealing. Taking ones ideas if you patented or copyrighted them is protected under current law.

  6. It'll get overturned by Dachannien · · Score: 2, Funny

    Too bad he's stuck under the 9th Circuit. It probably won't be too much longer before their decisions get overturned by default.

  7. He has no talent and he must write by Angst+Badger · · Score: 3, Funny

    I hope he wins. Anything to limit the availability of Harlan Ellison's crapulous prose will be a boon to humanity.

    --
    Proud member of the Weirdo-American community.
  8. Re:Pray the jury is sensible. by utahjazz · · Score: 5, Funny

    Good writer

    Really? I haven't seen any of his stuff. Could you post some of it here?