Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

EFF Forces DMCA Abuser to Apologize

Posted by samzenpus on from the depths-of-my-mothers-basement-I-stab-at-thee dept.

destinyland writes "The EFF just announced victory over a serial abuser of DMCA copyright notices. To set an example, their settlement required Michael Crook to record a video apology to the entire internet for interfering with free speech. He's also required to withdraw every bogus DMCA notice, and refrain from future bogus notices, never contest the original image again, and take a remedial class on copyright law. He'd attempted to use flaws in the DMCA to censor an embarrassing picture of himself that he just didn't want appearing online — but instead the whole thing backfired."

5 of 222 comments (clear)

  1. That's it? by omeomi · · Score: 4, Insightful

    He'd attempted to use flaws in the DMCA to censor an embarrassing picture of himself that he just didn't want appearing online

    That's it? They finally get a serial abuser of the DMCA to apologize, and it's just some guy with a nudie picture that he didn't want people to see? How about getting an **AA or something to apologize for *really* infringing on free speech/expression?

    --
    ZuluPad, the wiki notepad on crack
  2. Fox owns this image... by ProfessionalCookie · · Score: 3, Insightful

    For anyone who missed the original article it's all about this image which is not owned by Michael.

    It's not even that bad...hehe.

  3. Re:First you go after an obvious scumbag ... by putaro · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Start showing up at Congresscritters' doors with a dump truck full of money. Seriously. The MPAA and RIAA have been lobbying, hard, to get this stuff in place to protect their little industry. And it is a *little* industry. The record industry, as a whole, grossed about $40 billion last year. In contrast, IBM had revenue of $91 billion dollars in 2005. Yet these little schmucks have managed to screw up the whole computing and consumer electronics industry with their nonsense. Why? Because they were much more effective at lobbying.

  4. This guy is not normal by JayAEU · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Has anybody actually read what he says in his blog?

    Taken from http://www.michaelcrook.org/thedmcacase.html, where he's talking about this (http://www.michaelcrook.org/extrafiles/crook.jpg) screenshot of his:

    "And hey, I rather like this screenshot. It makes me look like Hitler and shit. Cool beans-- it was exactly the statement I was trying to make."

    I'm still sitting here with my jaw hanging down after having read this! I think not only should he be sent to a basic lesson of copyright law, but also to a history lesson focussing on WW2!

  5. Apologetic by Sloppy · · Score: 4, Insightful
    From here:

    In total, this case had to have cost the EFF at least $46,000 in attorney's fees and costs, whereas all I will have spent after the copyright courses is $215.00. Sometimes, not being wealthy rocks. Not being wealthy sucks when you're at the strip club, and down to your last $20 just when the girl is willing to "do a little more".

    It's good to see that he has learned his lesson, instead of revelling in the destruction caused by the inefficiencies of the legal system.

    What a seriously evil asshole.

    --
    As copyright owner of this comment, I authorize everyone to defeat any technological measure which limits access to it.