Slashdot Mirror


Lawyer Puts $10k Bounty on Blogger's Identity

I Don't Believe in Imaginary Property writes "Raymond Niro of Niro Scavone Haller & Niro is fighting back against criticism from the Patent Troll Tracker blog by offering a $10,000 bounty for the identity of the person behind it. He thinks the blogger might work for Microsoft, Intel, or has connections to a 'serial infringer' and that could 'color' what they say."

286 comments

  1. Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by eldavojohn · · Score: 4, Funny

    This reminds me of the time Richard Stallman offered a half eaten french fry and all the change he could find in all the couches of MIT's student commons area for the identity of an Anonymous Coward on Slashdot that called him a "tree hugging bearded hippie."

    --
    My work here is dung.
    1. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by cdrdude · · Score: 3, Funny

      It was half eaten? Stallman said it came that way :(

      --
      This sig is neither interesting, nor humorous. Including meta-humor.
    2. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm Troll Tracker!

    3. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by Fallen+Seraph · · Score: 2, Informative

      No I'm Troll Tracker!

    4. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No I watched Southpark.

    5. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This reminds me of the time Richard Stallman offered a half eaten french fry and all the change he could find in all the couches of MIT's student commons area for the identity of an Anonymous Coward on Slashdot that called him a "tree hugging bearded hippie." I do not have a beard.
    6. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      http://trolltracker.blogspot.com/2007/09/trolltracker-responds-to-ray-niros.html

      This is why he wants TT's identity. To sue on another junk patent. Like he did, as TT suggested, against a resort because he could not get a tee time.

      http://trolltracker.blogspot.com/2008/01/global-patent-holdings-sues-boca-raton.html

    7. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by mrmeval · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'll give a half eaten tortas and a bag of doritos if someone posts the lawyers home address and phone number. I'll through in some guacamole dip if you can get his cell phone number.

      El tortas no es una mentira!

      --
      I'd go on a Vegan diet but the delivery time from Vega is too long. --brownkitty
    8. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by Anne_Nonymous · · Score: 1

      >> a half eaten french fry

      Which half?

    9. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm Spartacus!

      Ooops... wrong movie.

    10. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by russotto · · Score: 1

      for the identity of an Anonymous Coward on Slashdot that called him a "tree hugging bearded hippie."
      That was me. I pushed the "Post Anonymously" button by accident. Also I am Spartacus.
    11. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      Niro, Scavone, Haller & Niro, Ltd.
      Business address: Suite 4600, 181 West Madison Street, Chicago, IL 60602-4515
      Phone: (312) 236-0733
      Fax: (312) 236-3137

      Unfortunately, he has the same name as the firm's president and senior partner (Raymond P. Niro, Sr.), so it's hard to separate out their records.
      They appear to have homes in Barrington, IL, Arlington Heights, IL, Chicago, IL and Snowmass Village, CO (perhaps they like to ski).
      For some reason, even though the law firm is in Chicago, the president's address in its corporate filing shows his home as 2401 Spanish River Road, Boca Raton, FL 33432, phone (561) 362-7371.
      Another address seems to be 1005 N Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004-5669, phone (847) 749-1208.

      Their addresses within Chicago are likely to be:
      Raymond P. Niro, Sr. - 181 W Madison St, Ste 4600, Chicago, IL 60602-4635, phone (312) 236-0733
      Raymond P. Niro, Jr. - 25 E Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604-2201, phone (312) 362-8701

      Oh, and just in case Raymond P. Niro, Sr., his wife Judith, or Raymond P. Niro, Jr., are reading this - all this information is publically available, so don't even think of suing.

    12. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by calebt3 · · Score: 1

      The half he licked the salt off of, of course!

    13. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by Majik+Sheff · · Score: 1

      The reason for the Florida incorporation is because of the extremely corporate-friendly laws present in FL. Why do you think all of the infomercial, telemarketing, most scam time-shares, and just about every other ne'er do well incorporate there?

      If you ever get a call from someone trying to sell you something that sounds shady, ask them where they're based. If they don't hang up on you, the answer you'll likely get is Florida.

      --
      Women are like electronics: you don't know how damaged they are until you try to turn them on.
    14. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They must be rolling in it - that property in Florida last sold for $7.65 million.

    15. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by secolactico · · Score: 1

      Which half?

      The outer half.

      --
      No sig
    16. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I just checked out those on Google Earth - nice!. You can get street view of the Addresses within Chicago - Large office blocks. The place in Florida is 3 blocks from the beach, but is a massive house with a nice pool - yes please! The place in Arlington heights could possibly be a rental or place to write off some taxes - it looks like a pretty crappy area - do not want.

    17. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Nah, it's actually incorporated in IL - it's just his home address which is in FL.

    18. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      You idiot. You posted anonymously. Now how are you going to get your Doritos?

    19. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by PirateBlis · · Score: 1

      I'll through in some guacamole dip if you can get his cell phone number.
      Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw! Throw!
    20. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ugh. Even if guacamole or bad grammar nauseates you, you don't have to throw up all over the place...

    21. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by elrous0 · · Score: 1

      Reminds me of that time the guy from "My Name is Earl" took me out to eat at Benihanas for sliding a 75 foot handrail. I did it on the 499th try, and aside from the crushed testicles from attempts 283 and 396 and the various broken bones from attempts 28, 92, 133, 190, 203, 254, 300, 323, 376, 402, 450, and 470; it was fucking great!

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    22. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      http://www.niroscavone.com/document.php?Id=67
      He apparently does case work in CO, FL and IL. All your info appears, at least on the surface, to be correct.

    23. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This reminds me of the time Richard Stallman offered a half eaten french fry and all the change he could find in all the couches of MIT's student commons area for the identity of an Anonymous Coward on Slashdot that called him a "tree hugging bearded hippie." You mean he isn't one?
    24. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by thethibs · · Score: 1

      I imagine he was looking forward to meeting someone who understood him so well.

      --
      I'm a Programmer. That's one level above Software Engineer and one level below Engineer.
    25. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by mrmeval · · Score: 1

      No, I want them to sue! I want to make national news. ;)

      I'll leave the goods at the corner of 5th and 8th, under the awning where the creepy store is.

      --
      I'd go on a Vegan diet but the delivery time from Vega is too long. --brownkitty
    26. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? by kesuki · · Score: 1

      the place in Arlington heights is most likely the residence of a 'close' family member of one of those 'prosperous' lawyers, it's not uncommon for 'relatives' of a fairly wealthy family member to be in a situation, where they can't make ends meet with current rental prices, and seek the aid of a family member, because they don't come close to qualifying for any sort of public assistance. although it's somewhat rare for the wealthy relative to buy a house, and let them 'rent' it at cost.

      the second thing is a mistress may well be living there 'free' and that's where Mr. big rich lawyer gets the kicks his wife won't give him while he's 'staying late at the office.'

      if it's the latter, i suggest leaving messages about it at all the listed numbers. (i won't too lazy)

      His wife may need a divorce lawyer, so qualified /.ers in the area may wish to ring them with messages too. I'm brave, and below the poverty line, so I'll post this with my uid. After all, you can sue the poor, but you can't touch their money.

  2. Counter-Offer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yeah, well I'll pay $20,000 to whoever can track this bloodsucking lawyer down and "terminate" his legal practice.

    1. Re:Counter-Offer by Gadget_Guy · · Score: 1

      Yeah, well I'll pay $20,000 to whoever can track this bloodsucking lawyer down and "terminate" his legal practice.

      I am interested in your offer. Who shall I write to when it comes time to collect my money?

    2. Re:Counter-Offer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      My best friends call me "cash".

    3. Re:Counter-Offer by XHIIHIIHX · · Score: 0

      Hey, I got $5 on it.

    4. Re:Counter-Offer by aussie_a · · Score: 4, Funny

      I'll arrest anyone who doesn't tell me who this Anonymous Coward is.

      - The D.A.

    5. Re:Counter-Offer by Architect_sasyr · · Score: 1

      That would be the "Charity for Anti-Social Humans". I am a serving member and will gladly pass any funds along to the appropriate coffers...

      --
      Me failed English...
      FreeBSD over Linux. If my comments seem odd, this may explain...
    6. Re:Counter-Offer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They call me tater salad. If you cannot reach me, ask for my son, tater tot.

    7. Re:Counter-Offer by craagz · · Score: 0

      There is Irony in labeling some un-signed-in Slashdotters as Anonyous cowards.

      They tend to be the most courageous posters with a great idea, but no time to sign in. [:)]

    8. Re:Counter-Offer by Wiseman1024 · · Score: 1

      If I were rich, I'd pay $20000 to any local mafia for each patent troll that gets killed. And if I were *really* rich (enough money to buy laws and hire a horde of fat, nasty, dirty, sucky, ugly lawyers), I'd have patents abolished. Then I'd go to hell (or at least I would believe I'd go to hell if I believed in imaginary friends) for giving my money to lawyers and politicians.

      --
      I was about to say 13256278887989457651018865901401704640, but it appears this number is private property.
    9. Re:Counter-Offer by gr8scot · · Score: 1

      They tend to be the most courageous posters with a great idea, but no time to sign in. [:)] True, in labeling some that way. The other 99 1/2% are absolute rubbish.
      --
      All 19 hijackers were known terrorists 09-10-2001. Lack of FBI intelligence does not justify warrantless wiretaps..
  3. So long as said blogger is truthful.... by KublaiKhan · · Score: 5, Informative

    Truth is a defense for libel. So long as the blogger in question has not made any actual false statements, and has couched all opinions as such, rather than as facts--then he should STFU and GBTW.

    But then, if he's a patent troll, he's rather defined as "not being able to STFU and do something useful," now, is he?

    --
    In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
    A stately pleasure dome decree
    1. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by eldavojohn · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Truth is a defense for libel. Yeah, but what about 'truthiness'? If Niro, Jabba, Hutt & Niro hope to pursue litigation, how do they deal with someone who has a gut feeling that what they are doing is generally wrong?

      After reading his blog it's evident that this bounty is the only thing this lawyer can do. This blogger is good with what he writes and knows his limits. They won't be able to force blogspot into divulging that info without a warrant in my opinion though I am not a lawyer, I still have a soul.

      Have they tried asking Mr. Troll Tracker nicely? He lists his e-mail as trolltracker@gmail.com ...
      --
      My work here is dung.
    2. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by norton_I · · Score: 1

      Well, so far there is no legal action. He is just offering $10,000 to anyone who can tell him who the guy is.

      Presumably if he had a legitimate case, he wouldn't bother with that, he would file suit against the anonymous blogger and try to get the courts in force the ISP to release the records. Since he apparently hasn't done so, presumably he thinks nothing illegal is going on, he just wants to out the blogger publicly.

    3. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by networkBoy · · Score: 1

      Yes, but mounting that defense can be cost prohibitive if you don't live in a SLAPP, state.
      -nB

      --
      whois gawk date unzip strip find touch finger mount join nice man top fsck grep eject more yes exit umount sleep dump
    4. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by russ1337 · · Score: 4, Interesting
      this post has a list of what he's said and why the Blogger has a 'bounty' on him. Here's the summary:

      Here is a grand summary of my posts about Ray Niro (you can click on the Niro Scavone labels to read them all):

      1) I posted Fish & Richardson's allegations against him. But those were F&R's words, not my own. By the way, the judge granted expedited discovery to allow F&R to determine whether to add Ray Niro personally as a defendant. And if F&R does sue Niro, personally, I'll report about it here. Which is not disparaging him, just reporting.

      2) I posted about how Niro secured a permanent injunction that was stayed in light of BMC v. Paymentech. True!

      3) I dared Niro to sue the New York Yankees in Boston on the '341 patent. But I don't think he wants to litigate out of state. C'mon Ray, if you want to stay in Chicago, at least add the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings as defendants, too. (They have JPEG images).

      4) I reported that he represents Acacia in a bit of patent litigation. All true.

      5) I speculated that he actually represents non-practicing entities as a fair amount of his overall practice. Also, true.
    5. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by KublaiKhan · · Score: 2, Funny

      Perhaps I could email Mr. Troll Tracker and let 'im know that I could use the $10k, and could I have his contact information to pass onto this sad sack of a lawyer who apparently is unable to engage any of the numerous detective firms out there who could find his information for much less--or even to take the time to ask nicely?

      Whaddaya think, would it work? I really could use the $10k...trying to save up for a wedding, and it's slow going.

      --
      In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
      A stately pleasure dome decree
    6. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by (H)elix1 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Truth is a defense for libel.

      True... but you still have pay for *your* defense - even if you 100% in the right. That sucks.

    7. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by eldavojohn · · Score: 5, Insightful

      ... lawyer who apparently is unable to engage any of the numerous detective firms out there who could find his information for much less ... Unable? I thought exactly the opposite when I read this. I think this Niro lawyer probably wants people to know he's taking this route. I figured it was a lawyer showing his true colors. He's making a public announcement that typically comes from gangsters who have grown too powerful. It is something to the effect of:

      "I am the law. I have so much money and disposable income that I pay any problem away without batting an eye. You want to start a blog criticizing me? Well, this is how I deal with you. I don't have time for warrants and regular channels. I will find out who you are and make you pay. Let this be a lesson/example for the rest of you." And that, my fellow Americans, is the stench of corruption. Fix it or face becoming a victim yourself.
      --
      My work here is dung.
    8. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by arizwebfoot · · Score: 2, Informative

      Yeah, truth IS a defense for libel, but not an absolute defense. If you hold someone up to public ridicule, regardless of the level of truth, you can still be guilty of either libel or if it's spoken, slander.

      --
      Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
    9. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by KublaiKhan · · Score: 1

      Sorry 'bout that. I meant to indicate a slightly mocking tone of voice, along the lines of "Awww, wookit teh poor widdle troll" but forgot the appropriate emoticon.

      But yeah, it's fairly obvious that the information's not what he's paying for--it's the publicity.

      --
      In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
      A stately pleasure dome decree
    10. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by KublaiKhan · · Score: 1

      True, it's a bit muddled, especially as (especially with this proclamation!) he's putting himself out as a sort of a public figure, and the standards as regards libel and slander are quite different.

      --
      In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
      A stately pleasure dome decree
    11. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      And that, my fellow Americans, is the stench of corruption.

      You might have more of a point if you weren't railing against a "quote" you just made up, y'know?

    12. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by Basehart · · Score: 1

      If someone wrote that shit about me I'd want to know wtf they were talking about!

    13. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by antifoidulus · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Look at the list(and pockets) of the companies that he thinks the blogger may work for. More than likely what he is hoping for is that the blogger works for big company X, and then he can sue big company X for a lot, and in order to avoid (potential) embarrassment and/or the potential for a huge loss, he assumes that big company X will settle out of court for a handsome sum.

    14. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by TheSkyIsPurple · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I was involved in a libel suit awhile back, and the court was not thrilled with the whole anonymous thing.

      That court at least was of the opinion that if I was doing something anonymously then I clearly knew I was doing something wrong.
      (Completely missing the argument that what I did was legal, and I was trying to avoid being in court making the argument that it was legal because I knew one of the other parties was a litigious psychopath... in my opinion ;-) )

    15. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by Threni · · Score: 1

      > Truth is a defense for libel. So long as the blogger in question has not made any actual false statements, and has couched all opinions as such,
      > rather than as facts--then he should STFU and GBTW.

      Can't someone from the EFF claim to be the blogger, and have them collect $10,000 or whatever. I guess this twonk can try and sue them if he wants...

    16. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by rk · · Score: 2, Funny

      Thus spake the Anonymous Coward...

    17. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Do you generally pronounce such sweeping, grandiose judgements on people based upon two sentences?

    18. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      "Nobody forced you to take up that particular battle"

      how the fuck do you know that? if your home was at stake are you suggesting that's not being forced? putting a gun to someones head isn't the only way to have your hand forced you know.

      this anonymous person might even work for said law firm and want to protect their job while being allowed their freedom of speech, but i guess such concepts never crossed your mind did they.

    19. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by Planesdragon · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      this anonymous person might even work for said law firm and want to protect their job while being allowed their freedom of speech, but i guess such concepts never crossed your mind did they. Freedom of speech without freedom of response is meaningless.
    20. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by multisync · · Score: 1

      he just wants to out the blogger publicly


      Or dig up dirt with which to discredit the blogger. If you can't beat him with facts, get him with his own dirty laundry.
      --
      I don't care why you're posting AC
    21. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by schon · · Score: 1

      Can't someone from the EFF claim to be the blogger, and have them collect $10,000 or whatever. Why would the EFF have to claim to be the blogger?

      I guess this twonk can try and sue them if he wants... Considering the general consensus of this is that a lawsuit is the likely outcome, why not simply finger a lawyer you don't like to collect the $10K?

      You know, I heard that the anonymous lawyer is Kevin McBride... Or was it David Boies?
    22. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Buying a bride now days can be so expensive, I feel for you!

    23. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by sumdumass · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Freedom of speech without freedom of response is meaningless.
      No, it is just as powerful as any free speech.

      I can say anything without "giving" you the ability to respond. You have to locate and do that on your own. But more importantly, free speech cannot happen if there is fear of repercussion. I'm sure that plenty of people have seen things that they though were wrong in their life but failed to speak out against it because they though it would cause bodily harm, financial harm, or some other harm. I could easily get into the holocaust and other hot topics but lets just say that there are people who see things happen at their job that is illegal or unethical but fail to say anything because they would lose their job and probably be blackballed out of the business. Anonymous reporting of things like this is key to speech about it.

      Anonymous tips to the police and news stations about drive by shootings that manage to miss everything but the three year old kid inside a neighbors house playing with the family cat is key to getting heinous crimes solved without fear of retaliation from the thugs who did the shootings.

      Free speech without freedom of response is not only meaningful, without it is detrimental to a safe and working society.
    24. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by Romancer · · Score: 3, Informative

      Uh, no.

      "In law, defamation (also called vilification, slander, and libel) is the communication of a statement that makes a false claim, expressively stated or implied to be factual, that may harm the reputation of an individual, business, product, group, government or nation."

      notice the "false claim" and "implied to be factual" parts.

      even the law websites out there classify libel as: "A false and defamatory statement concerning another." Notice again the "false" part.

      --


      ) Human Kind Vs Human Creation
      ) It'd be interesting to see how many humans would survive to serve us.
    25. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by slashtivus · · Score: 1

      Seems like I never have mod points when I need them.

    26. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by russotto · · Score: 1

      Truth IS an absolute defense for libel in the United States.

    27. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by krunk7 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      If you don't want to be punched, kicked, or litigated, then don't line up against them.
      If you line up against a murderer, expect to be murdered! Oh wait, there goes the entire penal system's reliance on the people standing up for themselves.The fact is, in all of the situations you list... no, you shouldn't expect to be "anythinged". Punching, kicking, litigating, and murdering without cause is not ok.

      I also suggest you read up on the whole freedom of the press and anonymous sources thing.

    28. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, he is from Chicago...

    29. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by j0eshm0e · · Score: 1

      Let's face it, there will be someone out there who looks at the money, looks at his or her situation, and sells this guy out.

      Not that I am condoning such action, but I think a really good way to protect this fellow's anonymity from this law firm is to flood the lawyer's office with 'I know who did it' communications. If the lawyer gets a few hundred thousand emails/phone calls/letters suggesting it was a neighbor of yours and that you have proof, the few who are telling the truth with be lost in the haystack --so to speak. Anyways, that is how I'd do it if I were such a person.

    30. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by Chris+Mattern · · Score: 3, Informative

      The parent post is correct for US law. The grandparent post is correct for UK law, which is why libel lawyers have a lot more fun in the UK.

    31. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by rtb61 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      For $10,000 dollars and to be able to mock the lawyer even more, the blogger in question is most likely quite willing to sell them self out, although he/she better make sure he/she has a good attorney, because undoubtedly he/she will end up needing to sue them to get the money ;).

      --
      Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
    32. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by RealGrouchy · · Score: 1

      I was involved in a libel suit awhile back, and the court was not thrilled with the whole anonymous thing. Was this in the US? Was the judge elected?

      If so, then clearly the judge knew what he was talking about, because the majority of the electorate that voted for him/her did so anonymously, and obviously were wrong to do so!

      - RG>
      --
      Hey pal, this isn't a pleasantforest, so don't waste my time with pleasantries!
    33. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by SeaFox · · Score: 1

      he assumes that big company X will settle out of court for a handsome sum.
      ...and he's probably right. Since when have companies stood up for the freedom of speech of their employees? They already think they have the right to tell you how to live when you're out of work and not being paid by them.

      They'll settle out of court, then the blogger will be fired for costing the company money and making them "look bad".
    34. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by ultranova · · Score: 1

      Truth is a defense for libel.

      Assuming you can afford to hire a defense attorney, yes. Otherwise you're guilty by poorness and better STFU. Equality before the law belongs to those who can buy it - that's the American Way.

      Of course if you're rich or a corporation you could simply buy laws, but I digress...

      --

      Forget magic. Any technology distinguishable from divine power is insufficiently advanced.

    35. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by TapeCutter · · Score: 1

      I don't think I have ever agreed with anything you have ever posted, up 'till now. Nice post!

      --
      And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
    36. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by mpe · · Score: 1

      If the lawyer gets a few hundred thousand emails/phone calls/letters suggesting it was a neighbor of yours and that you have proof, the few who are telling the truth with be lost in the haystack --so to speak.

      Especially if there are plenty of people claiming it's Elvis, Osama Bin Laden, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, George Bush, Gordon Brown, Kevin Rudd, etc, etc.

    37. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by TapeCutter · · Score: 1

      "But those were F&R's words, not my own."

      I think you missed the point, here in Oz I can quote what person X said about person Y provided I can demonstrate they said it.

      Eg: I cannot say "Protester's carried banners denouncing Howard's war crimes" because it assumes Howard has commited war crimes, but I can quote what the banners say or what the protesters/police allege. The laws of deformation target the person making the allegation not the media that are often too weak to report it.

      As for the parliment, every word uttered is written down in a public record known as "hansard". Politicians have what is known as "parlimentry privlage", this gives them a right to say whatever the fuck the want while speaking in the house provided they are not intentionally misleading parliment (difficult to prove, no?). Paul Keating for one made ample use of this by refering to his opponets both in and out of politics as "scumbags" (except for Peacock who he called a "souflay" [sic]).

      --
      And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
    38. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by Raenex · · Score: 1

      How do you feel about Larry Flynt's offer of money for dirt on politicians?

    39. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Bullshit. I can call you an asshole and you can feel free to respond. You don't need to know who I am to respond.

    40. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by remmelt · · Score: 1

      Take it one step further: mr X (who is a public figure and thus newsworthy) gets slandered by mr Y. This is reported on in the newspaper. Clearly, this is allowed.

      It's all a matter of how the post was worded, I guess, which leaves it up to the judge.

    41. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by ta+bu+shi+da+yu · · Score: 1

      Hey, I though none of us believe in absolute truth!

      --
      XML is like violence. If it doesn't solve the problem, use more.
    42. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by AndGodSed · · Score: 1

      My first thought was "Only $10k?" well it's worth 7times as much currency wise were I come from, but it seems a small sum for someone like a lawyer to put up...

      good luck wif da wedding btw.

    43. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by JosKarith · · Score: 1

      So... if somebody is known to be a violent bully then your answer to that situation is for nobody to stand up to them because "They knew what was coming to them if they did". Were/are you a bully yourself by any chance? Your argument is straying perilously close to the Might makes Right viewpoint of such people.

      --
      'Don't worry' said the trees when they saw the axe coming, 'The handle is one of us.'
    44. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I am Spartacus!

    45. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by Stavr0 · · Score: 1

      Truth is a defense for libel. So long as the blogger in question has not made any actual false statements, and has couched all opinions as such, rather than as facts--then he should STFU and GBTW.

      But then, if he's a patent troll, he's rather defined as "not being able to STFU and do something useful," now, is he? The lawyer is preparing to SLAPP him silly. That's the motus operandi: Even if everything he says is true, he still has to pay for lawyer fees, take time off to appear in court etc...
    46. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by carlosponti · · Score: 1

      its not libel the guy on the blog was initially being sued for. he was being threatened with violating 341 patent. this patent has to due with querying a database on a website or other such obvious insane patent

    47. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by HiThere · · Score: 1

      That doesn't bother me at all. Most politicians I've seen deserve anything vile that happens to them, and the worst Larry Flint is likely to do is publish it.

      A patent troll, however... Anyone who voluntarily helps a patent troll deserves to be bankrupted. Minimum. That's just for a janitor or a secretary.

      --

      I think we've pushed this "anyone can grow up to be president" thing too far.
    48. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Trooper BRAD ODLE of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Troop G, is a corrupt cop and a thief.
      That is a true statement because he stole property from a person. It is suspected that others in Troop G are complicit in the theft.

    49. Re:So long as said blogger is truthful.... by gr8scot · · Score: 1

      "For $10,000 dollars and to be able to mock the lawyer even more" I'm interested in impersonating Troll Tracker and turning "myself" in!

      --
      All 19 hijackers were known terrorists 09-10-2001. Lack of FBI intelligence does not justify warrantless wiretaps..
  4. eBountyHunter by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So, instead of meth junkies and fake Navy SEALs hunting the target, we'll have Jolt junkies and fake uber hackers?

  5. It's obvious who it is by ProteusQ · · Score: 4, Funny

    CowboyNeal. Isn't that the answer to everything around here?

    (Attention lawyers: I'm _kidding_! Put the subpoena down!)

    1. Re:It's obvious who it is by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sorry, who are you again?

    2. Re:It's obvious who it is by willfe · · Score: 1

      I really hate to point out the obvious, but couldn't a legitimate reason for desiring anonymity simply be "I can't afford the litigation that would come from this litigious windbag if he knew who I was?"

      I'm not a big fan of "if you've done nothing wrong you have nothing to fear" reasoning, especially used like this. You damn well *do* have something to fear: you can be completely right, speaking nothing but truth and exposing a genuine fraud, con, or scam, and get sued into the stone age by the very people you're exposing, and *lose* just because you don't have the cash on hand to hire a competent lawyer to defend you (and the ACLU/EFF don't pick up just every little case).

      The anonymous blogger here may or may not be an actual attorney (maybe it's meant to throw people off the trail, or maybe it's real); it doesn't much matter. The content of the blogger's message has so far turned out to be accurate (third parties have validated it).

      --
      Read my stuff.
    3. Re:It's obvious who it is by hardburn · · Score: 1

      Publius disagrees.

      --
      Not a typewriter
    4. Re:It's obvious who it is by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      but couldn't a legitimate reason for desiring anonymity simply be "I can't afford the litigation that would come from this litigious windbag if he knew who I was?" No. Would you feel safer insulting a 260 pound rugby all-star in a pub, in his neighborhood, just because you're anonymous? Of course not. You would assess the situation and decide, ahead of time, that maybe insulting a 260 pound rugby all-star in his home pub is probably not a good idea regardless of anonymity.

      The content of the blogger's message has so far turned out to be accurate (third parties have validated it). If you start posting logs, with pictures, of all the pr0n that Slashdot users have ever looked at, and you get a bunch of bible-thumpers at your site, you'll quickly create a mob of people who think that Slashdot is one of the most horrible deviances on the planet (which it very well may be)--especially if you include goatse.cx. Except that, if you put a similar blog in sight of other Slashdot users, they say,"Yeah, so? That's weak. We've got pr0n archives twice as large, and twice as varied, on our local hard drives."

      Hang out on a college campus, become an inside spy, a turncoat, and start publishing a blog detailing the parties of one particular social club. Just keep railing on that one club. See how long that lasts. You'll recruit the local student organization, the local PTA, and a few college monitors at first but, eventually, everyone will tell you "STFU, gadfly, don't you have any concept of reality?"

      So one lawyer's blog attempts to defame another lawyer for *gasp* things that lawyers do all the time and you're all taking the bait like the target conspired with Saddam Hussein and ObL to nuke all of north America. One farmer tells his family and friends,"That old MacDonald, he cuts his chickens 3/4 of the way across the neck and I've seen him mumbling while he does it. It's probably some satan worshipping ritual! Why, any reasonable farmer kills the chickens by dropping a 20-lb. stone on their head, the way *I* (don't forget self-bluster and chest thumping) do it. That way they don't have the chance to run around all wild like that without their heads!"

      Poor, sheltered, naive little nerds. Maybe it's better that you stay locked in server rooms, or running your own consultancy from a laptop at Starbucks or from your parent's basement. The real world would probably throw all of you into a frothing lynch mob frenzy. Imagine if you could imagine, or even see, the antics that other people in other professions take for granted the same way you take pr0n and illegally traded movies and music for granted! You might even be able to start your own self-righteous morality league which ensures that everyone gets a tee time!

      People who stir up shit just for the sake of stirring up shit, or because they're covering their own butts, and who do so anonymously, are definitely misusing anonymous priveleges because they know what they're doing is flat out wrong. They deserve the libel suits they receive.
    5. Re:It's obvious who it is by UncleTogie · · Score: 1

      No. Would you feel safer insulting a 260 pound rugby all-star in a pub, in his neighborhood, just because you're anonymous? Of course not. You would assess the situation and decide, ahead of time, that maybe insulting a 260 pound rugby all-star in his home pub is probably not a good idea regardless of anonymity.

      If you're face-to-face with someone, you can be identified... That's not anonymous. Try another example.

      If you start posting logs, with pictures, of all the pr0n that Slashdot users have ever looked at, and you get a bunch of bible-thumpers at your site, you'll quickly create a mob of people who think that Slashdot is one of the most horrible deviances on the planet (which it very well may be)--especially if you include goatse.cx. Except that, if you put a similar blog in sight of other Slashdot users, they say,"Yeah, so? That's weak. We've got pr0n archives twice as large, and twice as varied, on our local hard drives."

      ...and?

      The logs would still be accurate. You can't say it didn't happen, which is what's happening here: revisionist history.

      So one lawyer's blog attempts to defame another lawyer for *gasp* things that lawyers do all the time and you're all taking the bait like the target conspired with Saddam Hussein and ObL to nuke all of north America.

      Ye gads, man. Look at the definitions of "libel" and "slander"...

      You'll note they mention "false charges or misrepresentations" and "unjustly unfavorable impression(s)"... in little words, a lie.

      Weird world you live in where an ugly truth is trumped by a pretty lie.

      --
      Don't tell me to get a life. I'm a gamer; I have LOTS of lives!
    6. Re:It's obvious who it is by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Don't bother with logic. HiLJ is a troll.

    7. Re:It's obvious who it is by coats · · Score: 1

      The Supreme Court would seem to agree with you -- MacIntyre vs Ohio: The right to anonymous speech is Constitutionally protected.

      --
      "My opinions are my own, and I've got *lots* of them!"
    8. Re:It's obvious who it is by gr8scot · · Score: 1
      You're wrong.

      Except that, as the article states Niro's position (and I tend to agree), that unless someone is working for a massive regime change in the government then posting anonymously is nothing more than veil of plausibility deniability for deliberately harassing and defaming someone. If you or Niro want information that is not given to you willingly or compelled via legal means, you will have to deal with not having it. The "right to anonymity" is a straw man, constructed to distract from the lack of a right to obtain information about others, which we do not voluntarily divulge.

      A right to free speech is not necessarily a right to anonymity Of course it is. The right to refrain from speech generally is included in the First Amendment, and outside of a court, it is absolute. In court, there is less complete protection of the right to refrain from certain types of speech, described by the Fifth Amendment.
      --
      All 19 hijackers were known terrorists 09-10-2001. Lack of FBI intelligence does not justify warrantless wiretaps..
  6. It's me... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'm Spartacus!

    1. Re:It's me... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He's Spartacus!

      --

      Anonymous Coward

  7. This is getting rediculous by Alexx+K · · Score: 3, Insightful

    It's not even been a week since The smartphone was patented , and now we've got people wanting to sue for criticising patent trolls. I thought America was the "land of the free". Oh wait, it is, if you've got millions of dollars in your pocket and a lot of lawyers.

    What's saddening is that this stuff never makes it to the mainstream media.

    --
    Don't mind the extra X. Alex
    1. Re:This is getting rediculous by riseoftheindividual · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I thought America was the "land of the free"

      That's a common mondegreen... it's actually "Land of the FEE". Don't sweat it, I used to believe it was "free" myself.

      --
      Patriot - A fan of expanding government power and spending while not wanting to pay higher taxes.
    2. Re:This is getting rediculous by MightyMartian · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Just remember, Jesus loves patent trolls. He wants greedy non-innovating lawyers to flood the patent office with useless and obviously ludicrous patents. Jesus loves lawyers, and wants them to make vast sums at the expense of the public, because Jesus hates the common man.

      (See previous references as to why Jesus hates the poor. Let's remember, Jesus only loves money, and those with lots of it).

      --
      The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
    3. Re:This is getting rediculous by Viceroy+Potatohead · · Score: 1

      I thought America was the "land of the free". In short:
      Don't believe the hype.

      IMO, freedom is never something you have (despite what someone else or some piece of paper says), but always something you fight for (despite what someone else or some piece of paper says). Tyranny isn't the enemy of freedom, complacency is. But then again, I'm a pretty cynical bastard.
    4. Re:This is getting rediculous by Shamanarchy · · Score: 1

      And I thought that America was the "Land of the Fee". Sorry, I must have misheard those lyrics :) http://www.kissthisguy.com/

    5. Re:This is getting rediculous by LordEd · · Score: 1

      Its not "Land of the Free", its 'Land of the Free'*

      * Some restrictions apply. Company may alter terms of the agreement without notification. No purchase necessary; for freedom without purchase, place a self marked voting ballot in the box. Freedom is provide as-is. User takes full responsibility for use of freedom. Approximate cash value is 1/10 cent. Freedom is subject to all Federal, State, Provincial and Municipal laws and regulations. Void where prohibited.

  8. I am. by Loadmaster · · Score: 1

    Money please.

    Swi

    p.s. Patent trolls still suck fat nut.

  9. Scam him! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Find some random guy i thailand, cut a deal with him to admit it's him.
    Laugh at said lawyer.
    Untill he realises it and offers another 10k bounty for your identity.

    1. Re:Scam him! by ultranova · · Score: 1

      Find some random guy i thailand, cut a deal with him to admit it's him.
      Laugh at said lawyer.
      Untill he realises it and offers another 10k bounty for your identity.

      No worries, Thailand has plenty of people to keep the ball rolling. I think I smell a new form of outsourcing being born :)...

      --

      Forget magic. Any technology distinguishable from divine power is insufficiently advanced.

  10. blog link by TheRealZeus · · Score: 1, Informative

    http://trolltracker.blogspot.com/ *slashdot effect activate*

    1. Re:blog link by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      http://trolltracker.blogspot.com/ *slashdot effect activate*

      Doesn't this firm have an 800 number? "o hai, i no who tha troll am!!!!! but first, do u liek mudkips? I NEED 2 NO!!! PLEASE NOPE JUST ANSER FIRST"

  11. great publicity by nguy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Thanks! I hadn't heard of this blog before, but now that the $10k bounty has been offered, I know about it. Great publicity!

    1. Re:great publicity by russ1337 · · Score: 1

      The Anonymous Blogger has already offered (on their blog) to turn themselves over to Niro if the bounty hits $50K.

  12. Tu quoque by MyNymWasTaken · · Score: 2, Interesting

    A position isn't false, or wrong, because its proponent fails to consistently act in accordance with said position.

  13. Doosh... by caspper69 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "Is he an employee with Intel or Microsoft? Does he have a connection with serial infringers? I think that would color what he has to say."

    This is douchebag lawyer speak for "companies that spend money researching, developing and selling products." Unlike his clients who think up obvious ideas and rush to file a patent, without ever doing a bit of work. It's scumbags like this that exacerbate the terrible state of our patent system. I for one can't wait until there's real reform and this guy's out of business.

    1. Re:Doosh... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Has anyone worked out a good way to sell fixing the patent system as an issue to the general public, as well as most businesses? It's not just software patents that are a problem, it's things like the ability to patent a gene in the most trivial manner possible, then extend that patent for any new use discovered. It's drug patents on life-saving medicines that grant a decades-long monopoly and are enforced in even the most obscene circumstances.

      There's a whole mess of issues here, adverse effects of the current patent system. I have no problem with patents in principle; the average $1 billion it takes to develop a new drug needs to be recouped somehow. But major reform is needed; my quick proposal would be to limit the duration of a patent to five years. An exceptional new discovery (blue LEDs, say) could be grounds for extending the patent another five years, to encourage real innovation. Add another 5 for an absolute maximum of 15 if it will take considerable resources to commercially exploit (say, an innovation leading to a workable nuclear fusion reactor). In short, patent extensions should only be granted in extraordinary circumstances.

      Secondly, up the patent filing fee by at least 10x (it only costs a few hundred bucks now), and use that to hire more examiners and experts, so bullshit patents get rejected.

    2. Re:Doosh... by Dr+Caleb · · Score: 1

      "Raymond Niro of Niro Scavone Haller & Niro"

      And of such girth that he needs his name mentioned 3 times on every business card.

      --
      "History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme." Mark Twain
    3. Re:Doosh... by canuck57 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I for one can't wait until there's real reform and this guy's out of business.

      Don't hold your breath. For the most part it were elected lawyers who made the law in the first place. Make a problem like the patent system, then profit by it.

      I too would like to see all software patents expired. It is hindering innovation and diversity in this business. Even if a patent is blatantly prior art, frivolous and meaningless, it can bankrupt most in just defending off an attack by the vultures. Thus, kicks the little guys out.

    4. Re:Doosh... by caspper69 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      There is no good answer, but I would say that it should be a much more open process, and as a condition you should have to actually develop your idea, or partner with a commercial firm that will (i.e. have a sponsor).

      Eliminating patent examiners, as they are now, would also be a great start. Have people volunteer from various fields of expertise, and when reviewing a patent, pick 12 randomly to review the application and vote on whether to approve or deny the patent. This would eliminate stuff like "smartphones" being patented, even though they've been in production for years, and talked about for decades before that.

      Obviously this is a very complex issue, with many interested parties, and a lot of egos to stroke. But if something doesn't get done about it soon, there's going to be some serious ramifications both in the courts and to the bottom lines of many companies.

    5. Re:Doosh... by QuantumRiff · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I think you mean the $3Billion for new drugs. $700Million or so to actually develop it, and the rest for marketing. You know, the "Ask your doctor if $Drug is right for you" without ever mentioning what the hell the drug does... If their drugs are so miraculous, why would they need to advertise them? Shouldn't the results speak loudly enough? Oh, and don't forget the "tweaking" the drug and filing a new patent. Zyban was a anti-depressant that had a side effect of people not wanting to smoke. Near the end of the patent, they tweaked it a little, and started a huge marketing effort about the new "quit smoking" pill. Can't imagine that cost them much.

      --

      What are we going to do tonight Brain?
    6. Re:Doosh... by jmauro · · Score: 1

      Raising the fees won't help since most of the fee is not put into hiring and keeping patent examiners, but put into the general fund to spend on other things. Also, even at 100x times the current fee, I doubt it'll make much of a dent in the trolls business since their only real expense is the fees and the lawyers. If you try to make something it'll hit you harder since your costs need to calculate in the higher fees your going to have to pay per widget that you make.

    7. Re:Doosh... by TheGratefulNet · · Score: 1

      Does he have a connection with serial infringers?

      note that connections to serial infringers require less wires than parallel ones.

      he's not so dumb...

      --

      --
      "It is now safe to switch off your computer."
    8. Re:Doosh... by SethJohnson · · Score: 1



      I'm no fan of the patent lawyers, but simply reading your wish of "I too would like to see all software patents expired. It is hindering innovation and diversity in this business" makes me think we would lose a lot. Companies invest a lot developing not-fun-to-code stuff that ends up being lucrative. To get rid of software patents would mean large companies would have little R & D incentive in software.

      Seth

    9. Re:Doosh... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      I have a friend who is an IP lawyer and he told me a few months ago that many IP lawyers are very much for reform of the system. Not because it'd make them more money, but because it'd make their lives, along with everyone else's, much easier.

    10. Re:Doosh... by cduffy · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Companies invest a lot developing not-fun-to-code stuff that ends up being lucrative. To get rid of software patents would mean large companies would have little R & D incentive in software.
      Software is still protected by copyright, so the difficulty of writing code ("not-fun-to-code") is still there for anyone doing a reimplementation; what's made easier is coming up with the ideas.

      Thing is, though, that ideas in software aren't all that they're made out to be -- getting the implementation right, and having the team that actually built and knows how to build $PRODUCT (and the source code to $PRODUCT, and the developers' documentation for $PRODUCT, and the domain experts who know how to build a $PRODUCT that {complies with regulations,interoperates with other tools in the field,etc}) is much harder than coming up with the idea, so even without software patents there's still plenty of barrier to entry.

      Remember, too, how much software was built before software was patentable at all -- heck, UNIX is in that category -- and how much software comes out of countries (like the UK) where software still isn't patentable (well, except for maybe as of earlier this week).
    11. Re:Doosh... by SethJohnson · · Score: 1

      cduffy,

      I think you know a lot more about this topic than I do. I've done a bit of programming, but my real attitude on this topic comes from something I witnessed at an art opening in Austin. Do you remember that Richard Linklater film, 'Waking Life' or 'A Scanner Darkly'? They used a proprietary vectorizing technique called Rotoshop to convert digital video to vectorized frames, and then put it onto 35mm film. The software was developed by a couple of guys here in Austin. I suppose they patented the technique, but I'm not sure.

      Well, at the art show, the main developer (Bob) of the software punched the other guy in the face. The other guy had gone off and signed a contract to use the technique to create those Charles Schwab TV ads. Bob thought this commercial use of their software seemed to be diluting the coolness of the technique.

      The point being that this guy felt like his code was so valuable to him that he'd punch a friend of his for using it without his permission. If there was no way to patent the technique, etc., I would think programmers such as Bob wouldn't have as much to gain for innovating something like Rotoshop. Whatever some guy can invent late nights working out of his own bungalow can easily be replicated by any larger corporation once it's hit the market, if not for software patents.

      Seth

    12. Re:Doosh... by cduffy · · Score: 1
      One note -- I'm operating on very little sleep right now; please accept my apologies if this is less than coherent.

      Whatever some guy can invent late nights working out of his own bungalow can easily be replicated by any larger corporation once it's hit the market, if not for software patents.
      Hmm -- that's a somewhat different scenario. See, I've spent the last five years at a startup (also in Austin) making highly specialized software that does some really darned nifty things within our vertical -- and among our company's assets are some patents. They certainly make it easier for us to get investment money -- so why do I think they're a bad idea?

      Because that promise is a double-edged sword. Our software is hugely complex, developed over the better part of a decade by (cumulatively) a quite large development team -- and it has so many bits and pieces developed over the years that we can't hope to patent them all.

      The thing is, someone else needs to patent only one component of our software (and it's huge, remember!) to enjoin us from being able to distribute it -- period, stop in. And because independent invention is no defense to patent infringement, it's entirely possible that one of the techniques I came up with myself is in fact something I have no legal right to use. That idea -- that the product of my brain may be something that I have no right to -- is in a nutshell why I think software patents are a danger.

      You provide an (excellent) example of a case where the "little guy" comes up with an extremely inventive technique and wants to assert ownership over it -- and it is indeed a very good example. The thing is, though, that while the little guy might have one patent, the big guys have thousands -- and lawyers to enforce them. Thus, the only way the little guy can get ahead safely is by turning into a troll -- producing nothing themselves (so as not to risk lawsuits from the companies with tens of thousands of patents) but extracting monopoly rents (magnified by the practice of completely enjoining production or distribution of a complete product even if only a tiny, unimportant fragment of that product infringes) from their one big idea.

      I think a system in which the small inventor can only safely profit off their invention by not actively practicing that invention is broken -- very, very broken. The person who invented a process is the person most fit to have the best ideas of how to improve that process in the future -- but if you're not actually practicing your invention (or doing R&D for someone who is, with goals driven by issues and ideas encountered when that invention is put into practice), there's not the necessity of practical improvements which is so often the mother of invention. More importantly, though, I don't want to work in fear that someone else will own the output of my brain, just because they had the same idea first (and more money to spend on patent lawyers) -- whether or not they developed that idea enough to make it actually usable in real life.

      And why am I not worried about a megacorp reproducing our product? Because it's hard! To be sure, there are parts that an army of code monkeys could put out in a month or two -- but (without going into more detail than I necessarily can in public) there are also parts which require arcane knowledge to develop, or (non-software) domain knowledge in an area where the practitioner of the field in question could make more in a month than most developers earn in a year. It'd be cheaper to buy us out -- that way one gets not only the code but also the minds that made it, which are every bit as important if one is to have a living, breathing product. Granted, not all products (or all big ideas) are that way -- but I can't believe that development wouldn't get done if it weren't for the extra economic incentive software patents provide. (Indeed, there's quite a bit of economic analysis indicating that the net effect of software patents may be inhibitive with respect to progress in the sciences and arts).
    13. Re:Doosh... by symbolset · · Score: 1

      Has anyone worked out a good way to sell fixing the patent system as an issue to the general public, as well as most businesses?

      I have. Still working on the patent application for the method, though. More later.

      --
      Help stamp out iliturcy.
    14. Re:Doosh... by gr8scot · · Score: 1

      My sentiments, exactly. And they're copyrighted, I'll show you ...
      ;-)
      As an inventor, do you agree that even if a process is deemed "novel," given any process that can be automated with software, the code is always, by definition, "obvious"? Once a programmer is given, or decides upon, an algorithm to code, he either does so correctly or incorrectly, ergo the working software of a patent application is always "obvious." If the process is not novel & non-obvious without a computer, making it a program doesn't magically transform what is essentially a pedantic and obvious solution to a simple problem. Separate from our mutual opinions of patent statutes, I find the opinion that software can ever be judged "novel and non-obvious" proof positive of extreme dishonesty and/or complete ignorance of computer programming among patent clerks.

      --
      All 19 hijackers were known terrorists 09-10-2001. Lack of FBI intelligence does not justify warrantless wiretaps..
    15. Re:Doosh... by cduffy · · Score: 1

      I agree that the implementation is obvious given the algorithm -- but would argue that the algorithm is the very thing that the patent "protects", and that there are very certainly non-obvious algorithms.

      That said -- patent protection for software comes with too high an economic cost and fails to accomplish its stated purpose (to "promote the sciences and useful arts") -- so while we may disagree on underlying reasoning, I'm pretty sure we remain well-aligned on intended policy.

    16. Re:Doosh... by gr8scot · · Score: 1
      No, I agree about the underlying reasoning, also.

      That said -- patent protection for software comes with too high an economic cost and fails to accomplish its stated purpose (to "promote the sciences and useful arts") -- so while we may disagree on underlying reasoning, I'm pretty sure we remain well-aligned on intended policy. I just find it useful, when in disagreement with some element of the [i]status quo[/i], to show that the stated purpose is in fact hindered, not advanced, by the means described as its justification. When that's the case, it's pretty much a trump card; there is no "Yeah, but..." reply when you can demonstrate such a lose-lose situation. The only trick is presenting it to people who care about being right. Slashdot seems pretty good for that. :-)
      --
      All 19 hijackers were known terrorists 09-10-2001. Lack of FBI intelligence does not justify warrantless wiretaps..
    17. Re:Doosh... by cduffy · · Score: 1

      The problem, of course, is that not everyone has the same stated purpose in mind.

      The European perspective that intellectual property law exists to reward the creators as an end in and of itself has a worrying amount of traction these days. If both parties are in agreement that the promoting the sciences and the arts is in fact the purpose and goal of patent law, the debate starts out three quarters won.

    18. Re:Doosh... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It used to be illegal for Lawyers to be Politicians for a very good reason.

  14. I'm Spartacus! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    $10,000 please.

    1. Re:I'm Spartacus! by networkBoy · · Score: 1

      Horseshit.

      I'm Spartacus.
      $10K please.

      --
      whois gawk date unzip strip find touch finger mount join nice man top fsck grep eject more yes exit umount sleep dump
    2. Re:I'm Spartacus! by KublaiKhan · · Score: 1

      No! I'm Spartacus!

      --
      In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
      A stately pleasure dome decree
    3. Re:I'm Spartacus! by LordEd · · Score: 1

      I'm Spartacus and so's my wife.
      $20k please.

    4. Re:I'm Spartacus! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm Tiger Woods!

    5. Re:I'm Spartacus! by The+Master+Control+P · · Score: 1

      I admit it, I broke the dam.

    6. Re:I'm Spartacus! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm a nigger!

  15. No Harm, No Foul by Mansing · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I would hope an attorney of Mr. Niro's stature and experience would realize he has no right nor legal recourse against this anonymous blogger. I suspect that had the blogger written anything libelous, Mr. Niro would have already brought suit.

    Since Mr. Niro has not brought legal proceedings against this blogger, I can only quote the next best legal authority on this matter:

    Ha, Ha!

    1. Re:No Harm, No Foul by Shados · · Score: 1

      What this attorney realizes, is that laws, in practice, are just suggestions, and that how the legal system works, is that you have to throw money at problems until you can bend the meaning of one of these suggestions with the purpose of getting a dumb judge to create a precedent.

    2. Re:No Harm, No Foul by nomadic · · Score: 1

      I would hope an attorney of Mr. Niro's stature and experience would realize he has no right nor legal recourse against this anonymous blogger. I suspect that had the blogger written anything libelous, Mr. Niro would have already brought suit.

      Of course he knows that, that's why he's offering the reward instead of suing and issuing a subpoena. I'm just surprised he doesn't just hire a private investigator, would probably cost less than $10,000.

    3. Re:No Harm, No Foul by shadowbearer · · Score: 1


        He's hoping to save himself that $10k by publicly posting a bounty on this poor chap's head, scaring the blogger into quitting.

        IANAL, but isn't that sort of practice illegal?

      SB

      --
      It's old. The more humans I meet, the more I like my cats. At least they are honest.
    4. Re:No Harm, No Foul by icepick72 · · Score: 1

      The article doesn't mention anything legal proceedings against the blogger. Mr Niro states he wants to find out who the blogger is. Anything else read into it is speculation. The part about "the blogger should take responsibility for his or her views" does not infer legal action either -- it just means posting anonymously is not taking responsbility ... much like Slashdot AC postings.

    5. Re:No Harm, No Foul by zoomshorts · · Score: 1

      Correct, until some real libel is printed, this guy is
      trying to badger a citizen. He has yet to rebutt anything
      he claims is wrong , with evidence. Most likely he cannot.

      The citizen need not be a US citizen either. Somehow, I think
      he HOPES the blogger is. I believe this type of thing should be
      totally illegal. In fact I, being a Draconian bastard, think
      the death penalty should apply to this guy's actions.

      Overpopulation needs to be curbed, overpopulation of Lawyers
      needs to be curbed.

      Opinions are of necessity 'colored' to one side of an issue
      or another. Such is life. Deal with it. Draconianly !!!

    6. Re:No Harm, No Foul by mpe · · Score: 1

      Mr Niro states he wants to find out who the blogger is.

      Not quite he also expresses various conspiracy theories about who the blogger may be working for...

    7. Re:No Harm, No Foul by nomadic · · Score: 1

      Eh, as best I can tell, no. There's no violence involved, and as a private citizen he's under no obligation to respect the blogger's first amendment rights.

    8. Re:No Harm, No Foul by bkr1_2k · · Score: 1

      Yes, but hiring a PI, is by nature, a "secretive" act. It's not highly publicized, and the person being investigated usually doesn't know about it. This is pure intimidation, nothing more.

      --
      "Growing old is inevitable; growing up is optional."
  16. 10k eh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I posted it. I'll email you an address where you can send the check to.

  17. ad hitlerum by BorgCopyeditor · · Score: 1

    You know who else thought that a position isn't false, or wrong, because its proponent fails to consistently act in accordance with said position? That's right!

    --
    Shop as usual. And avoid panic buying.
    1. Re:ad hitlerum by cuantar · · Score: 1

      Oh my Godwin!

      --
      Legalize it.
  18. That's what I do by markov_chain · · Score: 1

    So long as the blogger in question has not made any actual false statements, and has couched all opinions as such, rather than as facts--then he should STFU and GBTW.
    I print out all my opinion blog posts and keep them on my sofa.
    --
    Tsunami -- You can't bring a good wave down!
    1. Re:That's what I do by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      LOL!

  19. It's me! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Where's my 10K?

  20. Also blood banks ... by trolltalk.com · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    http://www.nndb.com/people/391/000032295/

    Charles Drew was a medical doctor and surgeon remembered as the inventor of the blood bank. He also established, and was the first director of, the blood bank of the American Red Cross. Although of African-American heritage in an age of rampant racial discrimination, Drew managed to achieve an extremely high level of education (BA from Amherst in 1926, MD and Master of Surgery from McGill University in Montreal 1933, and a Doctor of Science in Medicine from Columbia University in 1940) and to become a well-respected surgeon and professor.

    ...

    Ironically, when Drew himself was critically injured in a car accident in 1950 he was refused admittance to the closest hospital because of his race. By the time he arrived at the more distant hospital for blacks he had lost so much blood that a transfusion was of no avail.

    1. Re:Also blood banks ... by conlaw · · Score: 2, Informative
      This story about Dr. Drew's death is an urban legend. A biography of him, Charles Richard Drew : the man and the myth by Charles E. Wynes, sets forth what really happened:

      Dr. Drew suffered fatal injuries in the wreck. Despite the immediate attentions of the three other physicians who were with him (two of whom were substantially uninjured), and prompt attention at a nearby mixed-race (segregated) hospital, where he was attended by three other physicians, one of whom was the co-owner of the hospital, Dr. Drew died from the massive injuries. Included in the treatment was the administration of "at least one blood transfusion" - the hospital stocked both whole blood and plasma.

      ...

      But the story lives on. A McGill University publication, the _McGill Reporter_, repeated it in its December 1981 issue. Fortunately, it brought a vigorous denial from Dr. Edward Bensley, professor emeritus of medicine at McGill, [...]. Part of the evidence that Dr. Bensley had was a copy of a letter written by Dr. Ford [another black physician who was with Dr. Drew in the accident], in which Ford tried to lay the 'bled to death' canard to rest.

      ...

      [Dr. Ford stated that] Doctor Drew's cause of death was that of a broken neck and complete blockage of the blood flow back to the heart. Immediately following the accident in which he was half thrown out of the car, and actually crushed to death by the car as it turned over the second time, the doctors who were were able to, got out of the car quickly and came to Doctor Drew's rescue, but it was of no avail because even at that time, it was quite obvious that his chances of surviving were nil.

      Quoted in http://tafkac.org/death/charles.drew/charles_drew.html
    2. Re:Also blood banks ... by Foobar+of+Borg · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      You watch too much M*A*S*H
      It's an historical fact. The fact that you even remember that was in a M*A*S*H episode shows that you watch too much M*A*S*H.
  21. Copyright Solution by rxmd · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The blogger could write them a letter disclosing his own identity, cash in the $10k himself, and when they publish the letter sue them for infringing upon his copyright on the letter.

    --
    As a state gets corrupt, its laws multiply; the most corrupt states have the most numerous laws. (Tacitus, Annales 3:27)
    1. Re:Copyright Solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I was just about to say that! Now I have to go and place a bounty on your identity!

    2. Re:Copyright Solution by pla · · Score: 1

      The blogger could write them a letter disclosing his own identity, cash in the $10k himself, and when they publish the letter sue them for infringing upon his copyright on the letter.

      Not a bad idea, actually... I'd skip the last half of that, but the blogger should turn himself in for the bounty. The patent-troll lawyer has nothing. He would not only have to (incorrectly) prove the claim false, but also demonstrate that the phrase "patent troll" itself has some specific legal or technical meaning that would distinguish it from clearly expressing a matter of opinion.

      If you call someone an asshole, it doesn't count as slander or libel because no listener or reader (respectively) could possibly mistake it for a factual statement.

    3. Re:Copyright Solution by Kozz · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I think it'd be better to use the Spartacus technique. Imagine ten thousand geeks emailing him, "No, I'm the blogger." :)

      --
      I only post comments when someone on the internet is wrong.
    4. Re:Copyright Solution by MLease · · Score: 1

      The patent-troll lawyer has nothing. He would not only have to (incorrectly) prove the claim false, but also demonstrate that the phrase "patent troll" itself has some specific legal or technical meaning that would distinguish it from clearly expressing a matter of opinion.


      While that's true, what the lawyer is probably counting on is that the blogger doesn't have the resources to raise a defense against any lawsuits. Unfortunately, money often matters much more than the law in the US legal system.

      -Mike

      --
      I'm sorry; I don't know what I was thinking!
    5. Re:Copyright Solution by jimicus · · Score: 1

      Presumably 10,000 people would get $1 each.

  22. Re:Reality check by DrSkwid · · Score: 1

    All Americans are African-American.

    --
    There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
  23. I'm willing to confess for $5000 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Someone else can collect the reward and split it with me.

  24. Make it 20 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Make it $20k, and I'll reveal my identity myself.

    -Anonymous Blogger

  25. No jokes about cereal infringers? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Dammit, they took out the joke link to the case of the counterfeit corn flakes :-(

  26. Re:Reality check by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    And either all of us are Native Americans, or none of us are.

  27. Is it Rumplestilskin? by blanchae · · Score: 5, Funny

    Can I have the $10,000 now?

    1. Re:Is it Rumplestilskin? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      STFU its me :-), now pay up Niro!!!

  28. Re:Reality check by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I would have reservations if I was a Native American.

  29. Re:Hmm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What is with all the hate on Slashdot lately? I don't understand why racist trolls have to post on a geek website. Could someone take the time to explain?

  30. One Question by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If I mirror his blog, can I turn myself in for the $10,000?

  31. urban legend by joggle · · Score: 1

    According to his wikipedia article and its references that is an urban legend. A blood transfusion actually would have worsened his problems because he had numerous internal injuries.

    What did likely kill him was the lack of sleep he had due to his profession (causing him to fall asleep at the wheel). Unfortunately that's still a problem for doctors and interns to this day. I have a friend who is a doctor and he works over 80 hours every week (at Duke, the hospital they would have ideally had gone to if it wasn't 30 miles away from the crash site).

  32. Classic smokescreen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "He thinks the blogger might work for Microsoft, Intel, or has connections to a 'serial infringer' and that could 'color' what they say."

    In other words:

    "He thinks he might be able to extort a large sum of money out of the blogger's law firm, or at the very least, shut down his blog after being inundated with paperwork from a blood-sucking lawyer who can't stand up to criticism."

  33. Re:Reality check by ScrewMaster · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You mean that Americans (who happened to be black) invented them. I don't mean anything derogatory by that, but making such distinctions only serves to demean those individuals and their works. The implication is that there's something so noteworthy about a black person achieving anything of substance that their race must be mentioned. Of course black people have made significant contributions to our society, our culture and our technology. So have French, Greeks, Germans, Italians, Russians, Czechs and millions of others of all nationalities. Why does their ethnic background matter so much to some people? They were all citizens of this great nation, all helped to make it what it is today. That should be enough.

    My girlfriend is a true African-American ... she came to the U.S. about twenty-five years ago from that continent, earned her citizenship, and has the right to call herself an African-American. But she doesn't. She calls herself an American and she's proud of that. This is her country now. As for me, I was born here, but I don't go around brandishing my ethnic roots. That would be complicated, since I'd be something like a "Greek-Irish-German-with-some-other-stuff-mixed-in-American". Not so easy on the ears.

    She told me flatly that she could cure all of them of their desire to be called "African Americans" by the simple expedient of sending them to her home country for a few months. Most of them would come back here and would count themselves lucky to be Americans. Bad as things can be for many people in the United States, there are places that are worse. Much worse.

    --
    The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
  34. $10k is next to nothing by oldsaint · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The identity of the blogger will lead to accusations and lawsuits, and the legal fees for the blogger will dwarf $10k. And the threat will shut down the criticism, which is the point. The identity of the blogger should be worth a lot more to Niro, say $100k. And then let the blogger win by revealing his identity.

  35. Re:Hmm by Lane.exe · · Score: 1

    Antisocial personality disorders mixed in with a liberal dose of schizophrenia or Asperger's.

    --
    IAALS.
  36. I am Troll tracker by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    can i have my money now?

  37. we can win this. by DingerX · · Score: 3, Funny

    Go to questionable startup rate your prof^H^H^H^Hlawyer and pull up their list of IP and Patent lawyers. Send "registered" emails from separate accounts for each name on the list. Then, if he should ever determine the identity, chances are it's on the list, and whoever sent the email will have a good claim on the money. That is provided, of course, said mouthpiece doesn't accuse the snitch of participating in a conspiracy to do exactly that. So the flipside is that if we spam the address with false positives, either the real stoolie will have little hope of making any money off of it, or we get in on the action.

    I'm just speaking hypothetically, of course. I'm pretty sure someone else holds a patent on this sort of spam, and the lawyer involved has set an elaborate trap for an infringement suit.

    1. Re:we can win this. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Also, bonus points for posting a script that generates false-positives. Perhaps
      using rig? (http://rig.sourceforge.net/)

  38. Nothing to worry about ... by golodh · · Score: 4, Funny
    Well, nice mr. Niro probably wants to know the identity of the anonymous blogger to have a chance to have an intimate legal conversation with him. Lawyer talking shop to lawyer as it where, in a private setting.

    I really don't see the problem, do you? I'm certain it will all be legal, so there's nothing to worry about. No. Really.

  39. Re:Reality check by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Indeed, an excellent point, we're all Africans, race comes down to the finer points of how long ago our immediate ancestors left Africa and gained a tiny evolutionary advantage in colder and less sunny climates by growing more body hair and producing less Melanin. Makes racism seem very silly doesn't it?

  40. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? (oblig) by GoombaTroopa · · Score: 1, Funny

    I'm Troll Tracker, and so's my wife!

  41. Re:Oota Goota, Troll Tracker? (oblig) by GoombaTroopa · · Score: 1

    Dammit, someone beat me to it. Oh well!

  42. I'm Lesley Stahl. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Those stories and Andy Rooney tonight on "60 Minutes".

  43. Re:Reality check by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Why do people like you always say "African American"? Please know that I do not agree with the GP that you replied to. What an idiot. I agree with you, blacks have contributed a wealth of knowledge and culture to our American society.

    I just hate the term "African American". Most of the black Americans in the USA have _never_ been to Africa. So what makes them "African"? If someone watched me commit a crime, would they say it was a German/Irish/English American? No. They would say it was a white guy. So why should I say that all black people in America are "African Americans"?

    What if the black person is not from Africa, but Jamaica? Or, what if a black guy, on vacation from England, committed a crime? Should I say it was an "African American" even though the guy is not an American, but from England? How would some bloke from England be an "African American" when he certainly is not an American. Should I just say it was an "African"?

    I hate PC-terms. When I recently started a new job I was asked, after getting the job:
    () White
    () African American
    () Hispanic
    () Asian
    () Native American
    () Other

    WTF? Why as a "White guy" am I identified by my skin color and that is "OK", yet all other races have a "name"? So if I was Mexican I am "Hispanic", however, if like my good friend, I was born in Puerto Rico, I am some how also "Hispanic"? Oh, and as a programmer, I have 3 good friends I work with every day. Very good guys. One is from the Philippines, one is from Korea (South), and one is from Japan. Very, very different people and ethnic groups, yet they are all "Asian"? Not to mention the people from India I have worked with, I guess they are "Asian" too?

    Did I mention I hate PC-term "African American" yet? ;-)

  44. Re:Reality check by cptdondo · · Score: 4, Interesting

    A friend of mine was born and raised in Africa, by white parents who were also born and raised in Afica. He has now moved to the US. Does that qualify him as African-American?

  45. Say it with me: by MMC+Monster · · Score: 1

    "I am Sparticus!"

    --
    Help! I'm a slashdot refugee.
    1. Re:Say it with me: by Lord+Sigma · · Score: 1

      No, I am Sparticus!

    2. Re:Say it with me: by Chris+Mattern · · Score: 1

      You...need a spell checker.

      By the way, I am Spart a cus.

    3. Re:Say it with me: by Lord+Sigma · · Score: 1

      I have never claimed to know how to spell. Good spelling just happens sometimes.

  46. Can we cut to the chase? by Associate · · Score: 1

    And just call for Niro's head?

    --
    Someone hates these cans.
  47. Someone should start a free ideas website by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Someone should start a free ideas site where people can post all their trivial ideas when they come up with them. Posting them there, you could agree, they can be used forever for any non commercial use, or for commercial use providing a set % to the original person with the idea. If the world had an easy to post/easy to search repository of ideas, it should make showing prior art easy and make getting these patent troll patents thrown out a piece of cake.

  48. Re:Hmm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ... or Asperger's.
    Please leave out the imaginary, psychology-only "diseases", please. There is no medical/psychiatric thing know as "Asperger's". It is a joke. It is NOT Autism. At all. I know a close family member with Autism. Huge, Huge, difference. I think a lot of people that claim they have "Asperger syndrome" is because they think it means they are smart or "gifted". I have seen people come to the sessions I take my family member, who _is_ Autistic, that claim, "Asperger's, Asperger's", but there is just no comparison.

    Being a social idiot, is not a "disease". I have been socially inept for years, my wife says I always say the wrong things, and, gasp, I am a good programmer. I guess I too have... Asperger's? No. Sorry.

    Things like this is why I hate non-medical doctors like psychologists who make up crap all the time with no medical training or neurological understanding.
  49. Re:Reality check by somersault · · Score: 1

    I thought you were going to point out that people all over the world advance technology, culture and so on, but apparently it's only the ones that are american citizens ;) I don't really get patriotism to be honest, though if I went to certain parts of Africa which you point out are far worse to live in than parts of the 'western' world, then perhaps I'd understand why people think it's worth dying for a country..

    --
    which is totally what she said
  50. Re:Reality check by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    UHH, off topic responses to trolls are not insightful

  51. IANALCOWBOY by larpon · · Score: 1

    ..Neal

  52. Re:Reality check by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I would have reservations if I was a Native American. Hey, would you like some blankets?
  53. If I were the blogger... by twistedcubic · · Score: 1

    I'd out myself, and be $10,000 richer.

    1. Re:If I were the blogger... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Then watch all the money fly away as you have to defend yourself from frivolous lawsuits filed in federal courts in NY (which may quite well not be where you live).

  54. Excellent by Vexorian · · Score: 1

    1. Criticize Mr. Niro with an anonymous blog
    3 ????
    4. Profit!

    --

    Copyright infringement is "piracy" in the same way DRM is "consumer rape"
  55. Flip this shit around. by Cadallin · · Score: 5, Interesting
    We already know who this Lawyer is, and who his firm is and who they work for. There is an exceptionally expedient way for society to deal with this. It is unfortunate that it is necessary, but we must reconcile ourselves to fact that societal institutions have been corrupted. We must search for means to enact reform, and if they have forced us to take plays from their books, then so be it.

    Vigilantism is not only necessary, it is justified. We need to seek out the personal information of this lawyer, his entire firm, and the President and board of directors of the companies that employ them. Publish their names, home addresses, any phone numbers that can be found, their license plate numbers, the names of their family members, the schools their children attend. Everything. This is War, ladies and gentlemen. Of a more dire and extreme sort than any in history. Only by securing true strategic objectives can the enemy be worn down. We must destroy not just his willingness, but his ability to fight. Destroy the ability of those who drive the conflict to live their lives in the most basic way and victory is assured.

    We, the greater whole of society, are everywhere. We surround them. We can destroy them. All that is required is the will.

    1. Re:Flip this shit around. by Raenex · · Score: 1

      You're advocating the same tactics used by white supremacists, anti-abortionists, and Muslim extremists. Fuck you and the people who modded you +5.

      I don't want to live in a country where every time somebody gets a bee in their bonnet they decide to kill or harrass somebody's family.

    2. Re:Flip this shit around. by WNight · · Score: 1

      No, he's advocating using the same tactic as is used on us. Law-abiding people don't feel the need to out anonymous people for legal statements. Crooks and killers try to out those they disagree with so that 'random' violence can fall upon them.

      They just need to understand that it works both ways. We see that $20k reward for the blogger and know that they are us, but for the grace of not having as interesting gossip. If we'd said something that lawyer wanted to know about, he'd be offering a bounty on us.

      There are two ways this can end. Either someone IDs the lawyer and turns the tables on him and he decides this isn't a good idea and he and maybe others learn from this. Or, he IDs the blogger, we sit back and do nothing, and the blogger 'accidently' comes to harm or gets scared of this possibility and shuts up.

      In theory (his defense) he's not asking anyone to hurt the blogger, he's just curious... That's bullshit, if he had a real problem he'd sue. He just wants to muzzle anyone saying anything he doesn't like. And he's willing to use implied threats to do it.

      The way to properly combat this is let him know that it's a two-way street. If anything happens to the blogger, something will happen to him. If he doesn't like feeling the way the blogger now does, he may stop his vigilante justice. If not, he'll live in fear, like his victims, that someone will stop it for him.

      Here's the scorecard. If you decide out of the blue to try to ID someone you don't like, you're an ass. If it gets done to you in return, it's a good old-fashioned payback which is the best way to convince people of the pain they cause. Chances are these evil white supremacists choose this as a first course of action against innocents, not as a deterrent to keep people from trying to tactic again.

      btw, fuck you and the people who don't understand context.

    3. Re:Flip this shit around. by Raenex · · Score: 1

      Here's the scorecard. If you decide out of the blue to try to ID someone you don't like, you're an ass. I see nothing wrong with trying to identify people who are speaking out against you. Where you go from there is what matters.

      If it gets done to you in return, it's a good old-fashioned payback which is the best way to convince people of the pain they cause. The difference here is that we know who Niro is. This isn't "payback", this is advocating violent mob justice to Niro and his family for trying to identify the source of people who are saying negative things about him.
    4. Re:Flip this shit around. by KKlaus · · Score: 1

      >>the schools their children attend. Everything

      I'm not going to mod you down, but this should be a clue to you that you've probably lost all perspective of right and wrong. You really want to beat up on their kids, who have nothing to do with what their parents are doing, and are, moreover, just kids? Advocating beating up the weak and the helpless --> you are not on the right side of justice.

      And you're also godwinning yourself here with "Of a more dire and extreme sort than any in history." I would point out that these guys are hurting innovation, and they're parasites - but that's it. Unless one of them ran over your dog or something, you're out of control. And the people who modded you up need to leave their homes and try to get a basic understanding of what is and what is not worth methodically destroying people and their (uninvolved) loved ones over. Here's a hint to get them started: patent trolling is on the "not" list.

      --
      Relax I just want some peanuts.
    5. Re:Flip this shit around. by NizzyWizzy4Shizzy · · Score: 1

      Whoa... calm down dude. Personally, I'd rather live in a world where a lawyer can spend $10,000 to threaten an anonymous blogger than a world where legitimate legislation is threatened with mob violence.

      Vigilantism is almost never necessary. Vigilantism is anarchy. Anarchy is only useful when there is no alternate form of change. If you want anarchy, move to somewhere outside of the civilized world and see how well you get on.

    6. Re:Flip this shit around. by SuiteSisterMary · · Score: 1

      Law-abiding people don't feel the need to out anonymous people for legal statements.

      I could have sworn that 'the right to face your accusor' was still somewhere in the American common law, if not the Constitution itself (one of the amendments, I think, but don't have time to look it up.)

      Or am I missing part of the story here? Admittedly, DNRTFA.

      --
      Vintage computer games and RPG books available. Email me if you're interested.
    7. Re:Flip this shit around. by WNight · · Score: 1

      He could file a lawsuit and get the blogger's hosting provider to ID them if the court agreed. He's trying to do this just to apply extra pressure.

      If it's fair to call my employer to complain about something I did when not acting in their name, it's fair to call everyone you know and complain about you and how your association is making them look. If seeking my information for unknown but implied unpleasant things is fair, so is seeking yours, just 'cause.

      If he doesn't like people snooping in his life for perhaps malicious reasons, perhaps he'll make the connection with doing it to others. If not, maybe one of his family will explain it.

    8. Re:Flip this shit around. by WNight · · Score: 1

      No, this is making the same lack of threat that Niro did. I'm powerful, look at me, I'll know all about you and will make you miserable unless you do what I want.

      He's doing it because it's an intimidating thing. He wants the blogger to be quiet or face losing employment unreasonably (they're not affiliating themselves with their job). If he likes intimidation, let him face the wrath of his partners for subjecting them to public scorn.

      He should feel a taste of the fear and discomfort he's inflicting on others.

    9. Re:Flip this shit around. by Raenex · · Score: 1

      I'm powerful, look at me, I'll know all about you and will make you miserable unless you do what I want. You're assuming a lot from little. It's very natural to want to know who is saying bad things about you; that doesn't mean you are going to do them harm.

      I ran a service once for a small community, and some people didn't like the way I was running it. There were some open and public complaints, which was fine, but then somebody decided to ask the person providing the host machine to shut me down. My natural reaction was to ask who, and it really bothered me when I didn't get a response. I wasn't going to attack this person. I just felt like I had the right to face my detractors, and not have to deal with shadows.

      When somebody puts up a site praising some product and we are skeptical, we want to know who's behind it. When somebdoy puts forward an argument for teaching intelligent design in the schools, we want to know who is behind it. Now imagine you're running a legal business, and somebody starts anonymously calling you out by name, saying how rotten you are. Would you want to know who's behind it?

      And the response? Death threats to you and your family?
    10. Re:Flip this shit around. by Cadallin · · Score: 1
      Honestly, patent trolling isn't, but the actions of many large corporations in manipulating markets and prices are. This guy is small fry, and honestly he doesn't need more than shaking up a little. But how about, for example, Jeff Skilling, former CEO of ENRON (who unfortunately is deceased)? How about the CEO and board members of EXXON-Mobil, BP, and AT&T? How about various different leaders of financial markets and architects of the current loan crisis?

      They are all every bit as culpable as the people responsible for the stock market crash in 1929.

      Also "out of control" is bit much. I attempted to engage an argument over whether mob justice is justified as a defense against thugs, but in a larger sense I think it is justified as a defense against the large scale hijacking of economies and political systems by Billionaires and Multinational corporations.

    11. Re:Flip this shit around. by WNight · · Score: 1

      Death threats? That's news.

      I've just seen people trying to collect his information (and related) as an intimidation tactic. Collect ours, we'll collect yours.

      Now, he should consider death threats, because if you ruin someone's life they'll have little to live for, but I don't see this as related. Sure, you'd have to know who he is to kill him, but it's not like that'd be hard, or that people are going to go shoot his family because he's an ass. We'll tear him down to his business partners, make sure clients know that hiring him comes with a lot of baggage... Ruin his cushy little setup. Exactly what he's trying to do to the blogger.

    12. Re:Flip this shit around. by Raenex · · Score: 1

      Death threats? That's news.
      • "There is an exceptionally expedient way for society to deal with this. It is unfortunate that it is necessary, but we must reconcile ourselves to fact that societal institutions have been corrupted."
      • "Vigilantism is not only necessary, it is justified."
      • "the names of their family members, the schools their children attend. Everything. This is War, ladies and gentlemen."
      • "We must destroy not just his willingness, but his ability to fight."
      • "We, the greater whole of society, are everywhere. We surround them. We can destroy them."

      Exactly what he's trying to do to the blogger. As I've said, you are assuming a lot from little, and I gave you valid reasons why, which you have not disputed. Would you support the original post if it had been directed at the people fighting Intelligent Design, when they uncovered who was behind the Intelligent Design movement?
    13. Re:Flip this shit around. by WNight · · Score: 1

      Regardless of who it is, the party that takes undue offense and tries to censor or fight true and fair words is the villain. From RTing the FA it appears the blogger is justified, in pointing out the abusive business practices of this lawyer. It doesn't matter if there's anyone financially behind it, those are fair things to say if they're true.

      I'd advocate collecting as much information on them as they seek on you, and threaten to be as disruptive with it (harassing business partners) as they intend to do to you (out your identity to get you fired, to sue you, etc). Here they intend to use economic threats on third parties (your employer, etc) so I feel you'd be justified in boycotting anyone who supports them and making your views known.

      The social institutions have been corrupted though, if you haven't noticed. There's nothing just in someone having the ability to forbid others from serving compressed data in reply to a web-page. People are fighting this nonsense as best they can and this kind of corruption of our intent is still going on.

      There are many steps between publicly expressing scorn for their actions (as discussed above) and shooting someone. Our system is only a little corrupt.

      We should acknowledge though, that this kind of behavior - perverting the intent of the law to gain from nothing - is anti-social and we encourage it to happen with our society's unwillingness to connect someone's hideous personal actions (in the name of business) with their non-business dealings with this person.

      It would be best for the world if the lawyer in question dropped dead, and everyone else gaming the system like him. Wishing might not make it happen, but that doesn't mean we have to be nice to these people. We need to follow them with signs, threaten on-the-spot boycotts of stores and people they deal with if they continue to deal with them, etc. That we aren't out to kill the fellow doesn't mean we shouldn't be as ruthless as possible in ensuring his absolute financial ruin and destroy any good name he may have. He's a parasite, who knowingly screws everyone to further enrich himself.

  56. Re:Reality check by twistedcubic · · Score: 2, Insightful


    A friend of mine was born and raised in Africa, by white parents who were also born and raised in Afica. He has now moved to the US. Does that qualify him as African-American?

    A friend of mine had gas because he ate some poison. So they took him to the hospital and pumped his stomach. Does that make him a gas pump?

  57. I admit it... by clambake · · Score: 1

    It's me. I'll take a personal check.

  58. You're too late. by palegray.net · · Score: 1

    I've already uncovered the identity of this mysterious blogger, and caught him with his hand in the cookie jar. Here's the evidence:

    The Desperado

    Looks like he isn't going down without a fight, though...

  59. Re:Reality check by Propaganda13 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    If a person is born in Africa then becomes a US citizen, they're African-American.
    If a person is born in America and stays a US citizen, they're American.

    Heritage is all screwed up. How many generations have to be born in America before you consider it part of your heritage?

  60. Huh... by Richard.Tao · · Score: 3, Interesting

    If the blogger was really suave, he'd reveal his identity to the lawyer and then ask for the 10k. What would they do then? Seems like they'd come out looking like fools.

  61. Collect Reward Himself by slaingod · · Score: 1

    The blogger should just collect the reward himself...

    or barring that, tons of people should claim the reward, so that the signal to noise ratio drives this guy back into his hole :P

    --
    http://blog.slaingod.com
  62. Quick Fix For This Sue Happy Society by servognome · · Score: 1

    The biggest flaw with the current civil litigation system is that punitive damages have become as much about making the winning plaintiff rich, as its original purpose to chastise the defendant.
    The simple solution is a plaintiff is only entitled to actual damages and make all punitive damages awarded to the government. This gets the punitive portion back to it's original purpose punish the loser to protect the public. It also forces the plaintiff to demonstrate they have been materially impacted to get actual damages, so just sitting on a patent doing nothing won't net you any money.

    True it won't stop all patent trolls who will try to inflate actual damages, but it will reduce the number because the sky high rewards won't be there.

    --
    D6 63 0D 70 89 81 BB 8E 7B 7C 5F 5D 54 EA AB 73
  63. Unfortunately, truth is not a good defense by dscho · · Score: 2, Insightful

    These days, a good attorney is a good defense, not the truth. You can have all the truth on your side, but if you cannot afford a good lawyer, proper procedures will not be followed (because you do not know them), and the judge will think you are wrong.

    In our times, it is money, not the truth, that shall set you free.

  64. I did it... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
  65. The importance of what is said vs. who says it by merc · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I hate to steal karma, but there's a comment on PTT's blog that was so insightful that I felt it serves as useful food for thought. It was a comment left last thursday by one using the pen name "ipreactionary", all credit goes to him:

    [http://trolltracker.blogspot.com/2008/01/j-carl-cooper-and-technology-licensing.html]:

    "As a practicing patent attorney with a large corporation, I can see why PTT and other commentators might want not to divulge their name. His anonymity works for me, because the subject of our interest shouldn't be who PTT is, but rather whether the US patent system is functioning effectively and fairly. And PTT's remarks on patent predators aren't any less germane because the sharks are identified by name, and he/she isn't. Forget that it's Niro (or Acacia, or whoever) that PTT comments on, and focus on the fact that they and others are manipulating an imperfect system to the detriment of both the system and its participants.

    BTW, there are those who might defend the abuses written of here as nothing more than "arbitrage". I don't agree. Arbitrage smooths out market irregularities caused by assymetrical information or unbalanced supply and demand. It is ethical, and even helpful, where a market is efficient and the market rules are clear and fairly enforced. The swamp of legal, political, technical and economic uncertainties that trolls are rooting around in (and helping muddy up) is more like an armed prospectors' land-grab than what the patent system set out to be: A reward of exclusivity in return for the useful sharing of information. Vigorous enforcement of patents on trivial or useless "inventions", by contingency-fee opportunists, doesn't make them any less trivial and useless. And bundling or accumulating them under shell corporations, the better to leverage them against companies for whom the expected value of a loss at trial (however unlikely) exceeds the price of a settlement, does nothing to better the "market" for IP. It doesn't promote adoption or commercialisation of technology. It doesn't raise capital in support of yet more innovation. It doesn't improve the function of the patent system. It's extortion, pure and simple.

    This isn't an abstract, theoretical discussion. It won't be long before Congress, made up of individuals who understand neither the purpose nor the functioning of the US patent system, begins to tinker with it as if it were a tax code with which additional revenues could be extracted and assets could be more equitably redistributed. Trolls cheapen the patent system in a way that makes legislative erosion even more likely. The abuses PTT writes about call the patent monopoly and its proponents into disrepute, and thereby weaken the rights appropriately reserved under other patents to those who really have made a technical contribution to society. As far as I'm concerned, PTT can call the trolls by name. The moneys they've extracted from productive members of society should be enough consolation for them.

    Blog on, PTT!
    "

    --
    It's true no man is an island, but if you take a bunch of dead guys and tie 'em together, they make a good raft.
  66. Bulverism strikes again by Oloryn · · Score: 3, Informative

    Sounds to me like yet another exercise in Bulverism. Rather than actually try to argue with your opponent on the merits, you fantasize some motive on the part of your opponent, and assert that that motive must be throwing your opponent's reasoning off. You saw the same thing with SCO insisting that Groklaw must be being paid by IBM. Actually, this reasoning is irrelevant. Even if the opposition actually is motivated by the fantasy motive, their reasoning could still be correct. You find out if their reasoning is correct by examining it logically, not by speculating about their psychology.

  67. Re:Reality check by snickkers · · Score: 4, Funny

    You're totally right. We've all got so caught up in all the arguing and bickering that we've forgotten what's really important. What's really important is which god you believe in.

    --
    GLORX 3:16
  68. Re:Reality check by AoT · · Score: 1

    Actually, race does not come down to those finer points, race isn't a real category. It is a made up class that people are assigned to.

  69. Re:This is getting r*I*diculous (spelling counts) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So when are you leaving?

    Oh, right: you're not.

  70. ad hominem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Mr. A said B.
    Mr. A is biased, therefore B is false.

    Whether or not Mr. A is biased or not does not affect the truth of B. B is either true or false, and the truth of B is completely independent of the alleged bias of Mr. A.

    Or to state it bluntly:
    If the blogger speaks the truth, then why does it matter who the blogger really is?

  71. Re:Reality check by Chris+Mattern · · Score: 1

    I would have reservations if I'd remembered to phone ahead.

  72. I confess by kevinkitching · · Score: 2, Funny

    I am Spartacus.
    Gimme my ten grand, punk!

    --
    I hear voices, and they don't like you
  73. I'm Rick James... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...b**ch!

    1. Re:I'm Rick James... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Hey Rick, you still noodling along on those keyboards?

      Loved your work with Roberta Flack...

      Oh, some other Rick James?

  74. Well by bigsexyjoe · · Score: 4, Informative

    His number is (312) 236-0733. Call him and give him theories. I think everyone should.

  75. Except... by nwbvt · · Score: 1

    ...he isn't accusing him of libel. RTFA. And no, I'm not going to sit here and explain to you why he wants the guy's identity, you are just going to have click on the link and READ THE F****** ARTICLE! Its not particularly long, it shouldn't be that hard to read it. And don't give me any "You must be new here" responses. I know /.ers have a habit of writing before reading, but thats not something to be proud of.

    --
    Mathematics is made of 50 percent formulas, 50 percent proofs, and 50 percent imagination.
  76. Re:Reality check by cptdondo · · Score: 1

    I think you missed my point. I was commenting on the stupidity of labeling someone by a geographic label when it actually pertains to the color of their skin.

    Anyone with dark skin is considered an "African American", even if they never set foot in Africa, and even if their ancestors may be from South America.

    Anyone with light skin is considered European, even if they come from Africa or South America.

    It's just a stupid thing to label people; I don't care what label or euphemism you use.

  77. Just a rand() thought... by madbawa · · Score: 1

    ..if the blogger reveals himself, does he get $10,000?

  78. JPEG? by Samah · · Score: 1

    We could make our own JPEG! But it stands for Jaundiced People against the Extortion of GPH.

    --
    Homonyms are fun!
    You're driving your car, but they're riding their bikes there.
  79. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 1

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  80. ethical quandary by f1055man · · Score: 3, Funny

    I don't believe in imaginary property either, but I do believe in $10,000. ....I'll take the case!

  81. Stand up! by Chicken_Kickers · · Score: 1

    I believe this is the right time to say, I am Spartacus!

  82. I am Spartacus! by Chris+Snook · · Score: 1

    It was me!

    Prove me wrong.

    --
    There's no failure quite as dissatisfying as a complete and total solution to the wrong problem.
  83. Anon? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Wait a minute! You sound suspiciously like this Anonymous character that's been harassing people over at the Church of Sci.

    Except, of course, that your spelling and grammar are good, and your argument is actually cogent.

    And you didn't post anonymously...

  84. Re:Reality check by KlaymenDK · · Score: 1

    I didn't read any patriotism in his post, just the explicit lack of racism. As such, it's a nice post.

    I find patriotism highly loathsome, but it's a separate issue so let's leave that for another day.

  85. Re:Reality check by AmberBlackCat · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    making such distinctions only serves to demean those individuals and their works

    Or, maybe a troll was implying that Black people can't accomplish anything and this poster was providing counterexamples, and got modded a troll himself for saying something good about Black people. And as long as I'm going to be modded a troll myself, I think it's worth noting that those places in Africa, that you claim are so terrible, were not in that condition before European colonization.

  86. Re:Reality check by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Fucking mongrel :P

  87. lawyers and the law by n7zzt · · Score: 1
    I am rather surprised that Mr. Niro (the lawyer who put down this bounty) isn't being hauled into court for violation under 18 U.S.C. 241. (Conspiracy against rights) http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00000241----000-.html.

    However, as IANAL. this is only the opinion of an ordinary citizen.

    *sigh* there are days when I feel that we really do need to scrap the system and start over with the basics.

    anyway, my point: the real root cause for this story is greed, pure and simple.

  88. 3 3 by remmelt · · Score: 1

    > Niro, Jabba, Hutt & Niro
    Thank you. Really, thank you.

  89. Re:Reality check by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'm native to America, but I probably couldn't call myself Native American. This culture fails in so many ways...

  90. Re:Reality check by alexgieg · · Score: 1

    Actually, race does not come down to those finer points, race isn't a real category. It is a made up class that people are assigned to.
    Correct. And let's not forget that it's a very recent categorization. The whole notion comes from the 17th century biologists, and in itself it's just one among the many, many bogus theories developed at the time, which unfortunately became popular. Before then people were of course recognized as being from this or that nationality or ethnicity due to their appearance, but there hardly was any deep valuation linked to this. Even the "common knowledge" that at some point the Catholic Church seriously debated whether blacks had or hadn't souls is nothing more than urban legend, for at least three of the earliest Popes were black, and not only that, but all of them also canonized.

    And let's not forget also that, as far as slavery goes, almost everyone is descendant of slaves, with the Europeans being all, with very few exceptions, descendants of tribes and whole peoples enslaved by, either the Greek, or the Romans, or the Nordic tribes, or depending on the case all of them in succession, with these guys also enslaving each other and even themselves all the time. Racists who love to look down on blacks because their ancestors were slaves should stop being idiots and look on the mirror and then, for consistency, down at themselves, for they're no exception to their own "rule". If anything, they were freed a little earlier, which is hardly something to be that proud of.
    --
    Conservatism: (n.) love of the existing evils. Liberalism: (n.) desire to substitute new evils for the existing ones.
  91. US Supreme Court says... by coats · · Score: 1

    IANAL, but the US Supreme Court says that the Constitution protects anonymous speech--the case is MacIntyre vs. Ohio State Election Commission. As an attorney, Niro damned well should know that fact. Given that, his conduct is utterly reprehensible.

    --
    "My opinions are my own, and I've got *lots* of them!"
  92. a complex, multi-dimensional problem by SethJohnson · · Score: 1

    Clearly, patents are a legal liability for your company. For other programmers, they enable them to make a career based on the only great idea they're going to have in their lives. So we can't just abandon software patents as others are suggesting.

    To a certain extent, your company can defend your coding that might infringe on a frivolous patent based on the non-obviousness (it must not be an obvious invention to an ordinary person in that field) requirement for a patent. If lawyers show up claiming your spontaneously coding infringes on their client's patent, you can use a black-box reverse-engineering demonstration by contract coders to show that the original patent fails the non-obviousness requirement. But what if your code was an inspired bit of cleverness that was shared by someone else who decided to patent it? Well, that's the threat that makes me agree with you that the current software patent system is woefully inadequate because it punishes innovation.

    Good luck with your start-up!

    Seth

  93. I am Spartacus! by gelfling · · Score: 1

    I am Spartacus
    I am Spartacus

    and so on.....

  94. Re:Reality check by zappepcs · · Score: 3, Insightful

    the next time that you are called a 'white' by someone that insists blacks are African Americans, you might find it fun to insist that they call you 'slave trader' American, or remind them that the abbreviation for African American is AA. Perhaps reminding them that Lincoln tried to ship them back to Africa will give them some humility? History is so full of fun facts. If they pull out the term caucasian, you would do well to remind them that 'whites' are NOT from the caucasus islands. Another fun little fact of life: in Africa they are also prejudiced against one another by skin color. Yes, light vs dark, or one tribe versus another, one country vs. another. That kind of solidarity of dark skinned people ONLY happens in North America, so exactly what kind of African American are they? and what tribe do they support? Personally, I'm Anglo-Saxon American, I'm listed in the DAR (revolutionary American), and I just prefer that you call me by my name...

    On those little quizzes, always select 'other' as the discussion as to why you chose other can be lots of fun. Its a racial question that does not account for South Americans, mulatto etc. If your grandfather was black, your grandmother was chinese and your mother was south american, what race do you belong to? How do you answer the quiz? select 3 or more categories?

    ALL PC terms are insulting.

  95. Re:u got it all wrong by hesaigo999ca · · Score: 1

    No wait, wait...it's me, it's me...now where can I go to get the reward???

  96. I'm the blogger by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 2, Funny

    and so is my wife.

  97. Re:This is getting rediculous - oblig by soliptic · · Score: 1

    This time, I'll keep it polite...

  98. Re:Reality check by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Wrong.

    The gas mask had already been in practical use since the early 19th century. Its use was necessitated by miners and chemists. An african american, however, did PATENT a design in 1914, so, original troll post is still fundamentally incorrect.

    The traffic signal can be traced back to J. P. Knight in the 19th century and the first electric one in Utah by Lester Wire. Both white.

    The first mailboxes also made an appearance in the 19th century in Russia. Hard pressed to find a black person there.

    What is a "control unit", anyway? That's like saying I should enjoy my hamburger because a specific race person used instructions on the wall to make it.

    Joseph Wilson Swan, inventor of the carbon filament, was not black.

    Peanut butter was derived from a common food found in the caribbean, and popularized by folks like George Bayle Jr and John Kellog. George Washington Carver is often credited with its invention but, that too, is a lie.

    Even potato chips, popularized by George Crum's famously serving it to an uppity customer (I guess a way to "show whitey"), was predated by nearly 25 years by Mary Randolph and one of her cookbooks.

    And as I recall correctly, the 1GHz CPU was a paper release because it was so unstable. They gave cherry-picked engineering samples to reviewers to steal the performance crown away from AMD which was on the verge of hitting it.

    It's a pity that a whole race of people have only lies and nothing else (other than a few wooden masks and sticks in museums) to mark the same period of history as the peoples of other races.

  99. Re:Reality check by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Indeed, an excellent point, we're all Africans
    Not me. I'm half tethan, half midi-chlorean.
  100. Re:Reality check by Just+Some+Guy · · Score: 1

    Does that qualify him as African-American?

    Not in Omaha.

    --
    Dewey, what part of this looks like authorities should be involved?
  101. Re:Hmm by aproposofwhat · · Score: 1
    I don't normally reply to ACs, but I have one stepson who is profoundly autistic, and his twin brother is on the high-functioning side of Aspergers.

    Both of them are different from the norm, and both are affected by their place on the autistic spectrum.

    I'd agree with you that it's not a disease - more a collection of characteristics, but Aspergers is real, and it is debilitating to those who suffer from it.

    --
    One swallow does not a fellatrix make
  102. Re:Reality check by Ogive17 · · Score: 1

    I'm white and have filled out job applications where I've marked the "african-american" box. Those areas are always optional, and I typically just leave it blank. I knew it was illegal for the employer to question it though. The HR person was probably a bit confused by my name Josh (insert German sounding last name).

    Anyone born in the US is American.. plain and simple.. unless you renounce your citizenship and move to another country. I bet most blacks in the US can trace their American heritage back farther than I can trace mine... but I've never been a German-American. I don't have dual citizenship, so I can't consider myself a German-American.

    --
    "Action without philosophy is a lethal weapon; philosophy without action is worthless."
  103. Re:Reality check by smokejive · · Score: 1

    That's Caucacus Mountains, a region just south of Russia, near Turkey. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caucasus

    Originally it was a racist term, as people theorized that humans started there and spread out to Africa and elsewhere, making "white" people more pure.

  104. Re:Reality check by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    caucasus islands? what are you talking about?

  105. Re:Reality check by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Actually it comes from the theory that Noah's Ark came ashore there and thus began the repopulation of man. White man, obviously.

    Yeah, no kidding. Yet the term sticks.

  106. The blogger is... by EricTheGreen · · Score: 1

    ...my dog.

    And now everyone on the Internet knows it.

  107. Exactly by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I go by the passport method. If the person holds a passport in question for the region, or their parents hold passports from that region and they could easily naturalize themselves to that region, then they can call themselves that prefix.

    To this day some companies and schools use this stupid heritage question, instead of actually asking if your skin produces a little more melanin, or a different form of melanin, then the majority of the attendants/employees. Even then, I still do not understand why we give hiring preferences towards individuals based on skin tone. I mean I could understand if I were to hire an individual for long hours in an intense UV environment, then I would probably choose someone with more dark melanin, as there would be a lower chance of that individual developing skin legions. Thats about it, now I think about it. Is there any other reason to chose someone over another based on skin colour I cannot think of?

    I mean America is a melting pot. Eventually we will all melt together.

    I think the questions should be based entirely on income. Giving the poor a greater chance to get started. More chances to those starting out.

    The second someone says "race", I cringe. There is no race. Everyone is about as different to the person next to them, regardless on where their family came from. We are all human. To segment the population is to say there is something different with them.

    Personally? If I have five applicants for a research position, or filing, or anything that does not require someone smarmy to manipulate others, and one has asperger syndrome, he/she gets the job. Hard worker, obsessed about completing the job, doesn't care about money more then the work. And less likely to have personnel conflict impeding the work. High tendency to be very loyal. Hates change. They are inherently the perfect employee. I personally think all people with AS are superior to all others in every regard. I don't care about the colour of their skin, just the brain in their head.

  108. Re:Reality check by houghi · · Score: 1

    What if 3 of his grand-parrents are from Sweden and only one if from Africa. Most likely people will still call him an African-American

    --
    Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.
  109. Re:Reality check by ScrewMaster · · Score: 1

    Yeah, well, they call it the Melting Pot for a reason.

    --
    The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
  110. Is that incitement to break the law? by gr8scot · · Score: 1

    It is common knowledge that both the host of the website and the e-mail address of the Troll Tracker have low-wage employees, performing routine office work. It is also common knowledge that they are most likely to have access to the registrant's identity, but that making that identity available to this patent troll is illegal. The bounty, therefore, constitutes enticement to an illegal action. IANAL, and I think I could convince a judge that the bounty is illegal. Who is the DA in that jurisdiction and why isn't he upholding the rights of citizens to our privacy, and to be free of undue search and seizure by corrupt lawyers? Fire him.

    --
    All 19 hijackers were known terrorists 09-10-2001. Lack of FBI intelligence does not justify warrantless wiretaps..
    1. Re:Is that incitement to break the law? by gr8scot · · Score: 1

      By "most likely" I mean they, in comparison to people not employed at those places, are "most likely" to be able to get that information. The way I phrased that originally suggests that every office worker at both companies has his info as readily accessible as speed dial or their e-mail contacts, which of course is ridiculous.

      --
      All 19 hijackers were known terrorists 09-10-2001. Lack of FBI intelligence does not justify warrantless wiretaps..
  111. Re:Reality check by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "and the first 1 GHz CPU." You mean the Second.

    Amd had the "first" 1 ghz cpu and was shipping in volume 6 months prior to the first 1 ghz intel units.

    at least, to my memory that was how it was, I know Intel had 'paper' releases, EG they 'announced' the 1 ghz cpu, but only high priority vendors like dell were able to get any, and even they had to wait 6 months after amd was shipping to get them in volume.

  112. Re:Reality check by unitron · · Score: 1

    I find patriotism highly loathsome...

    Probably because so much of what gets passed off as patriotism is actually jingoism and chauvanism.

    --

    I see even classic Slashdot is now pretty much unusable on dial up anymore.

  113. Re:Reality check by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If you're white, 1-2 generations. If you're black, never.

  114. Patent Troll Tracker Identity by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    well 10k got me to thinking and I did a little home detective research. I've got a pretty solid idea of who it is...anyone think Niro would ever pony up?