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Comcast Pays Out $16M In P2P Throttling Suit

eldavojohn writes "Comcast has settled out of court to the tune of $16 million in one of several ongoing P2P throttling class action lawsuits. You may be eligible for up to $16 restitution if 'you live in the United States or its Territories, have a current or former Comcast High-Speed Internet account, and either used or attempted to use Comcast service to use the Ares, BitTorrent, eDonkey, FastTrack or Gnutella P2P protocols at any time from April 1, 2006 to December 31, 2008; and/or Lotus Notes to send emails any time from March 26, 2007 to October 3, 2007.' $16 million seems low. And it's too bad this was an out-of-court settlement instead of a solid precedent-setting decision for your right to use P2P applications. The settlement will probably not affect the slews of other Comcast P2P throttling suits, and it's unclear whether it will placate the FCC."

13 of 176 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Typical! by Inda · · Score: 5, Funny

    Amateur porn. Say you were downloading amateur porn. When people ask me how to download movies and music, I tell them I only use P2P for amateur porn.

    Replace one taboo with another and watch the reaction you get. It is an interesting reaction because which one is worse (for the British prudes)?

    People, at their own peril, take me too seriously.

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    This post contains benzene, nitrosamines, formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide.
  2. Re:You won a boat! scam. by base3 · · Score: 3, Funny

    I predict a sudden and marked increase in the reported userbase of Lotus Notes from between March 26, 2007 and October 3, 2007.

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    One CPU cycle wasted on digital restrictions management is ONE TOO MANY.
  3. Tell me by Dunbal · · Score: 3, Funny

    As part of the settlement, does Comcast get to hand over names and addresses of all the claimants to the MPAA/RIAA for a nice tidy sum, say, $16 million?

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    Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
  4. Re:GOD DAMM RIGHT IT MY RIGHT TO STEEL !! by Inda · · Score: 3, Funny

    We all have a right to steel and other metals.

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    This post contains benzene, nitrosamines, formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide.
  5. Re:You won a boat! scam. by slaughterhause · · Score: 1, Funny

    Well, a boat's a boat, but the $16 could buy you anything. It could even buy you a (toy) boat! You know how much we've wanted one of those.

  6. Re:GOD DAMM RIGHT IT MY RIGHT TO STEEL !! by natehoy · · Score: 3, Funny

    You're right. It's not ferrous.

    --
    "This post contains words, known to the State of California to cause thought. Wash brain thoroughly after reading."
  7. Re:Ummmm.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Let me know how that works out for you, assuming they allow you access to slashdot from prison.

    They do.

    Say "Hi" to Bubba. He goes easier on people who are nice to him. :)

    No I don't.

  8. Re:GOD DAMM RIGHT IT MY RIGHT TO STEEL !! by mrsurb · · Score: 4, Funny

    Stop being ironic

  9. Letter from my ex-wife. to comcast by Fished · · Score: 2, Funny

    Dear Comcast's Lawyers,

    I'd like to receive my $16, as I was unable to download numerous hit Hollywood movies and popular music at acceptable speeds while on your service. I was affected while using such protocols as E-donkey, Bittorrent, Limewire, Gnutella, and anything else that might get me sued. Please send the check to my address above.

    Yours Truly,

    Fished's Ex-Wife

    --
    "He who would learn astronomy, and other recondite arts, let him go elsewhere. " -- John Calvin, commenting on Genesis 1
  10. Recycle the settlement by Darth_brooks · · Score: 2, Funny

    Phase 1: Find as many geeks in your area that are eligible for the settlement.

    Phase 1a: Jump through the hoops this settlement will likely require ("Submissions must be sent on a 3x5 index card, handwritten in blue ink with no misspelled words, and a tiny drawing of a European Swallow hand drawn in the lower left hand corner not to exceed 13% the total area of the card...")

    Phase 2: ????

    Phase 3: Have everyone deposit their checks, then send $16.00 donations to the EFF, OpenSSH Foundation, FSF, or FOSS project of your choice.

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    There are some people that if they don't know, you can't tell 'em.
  11. Re:GOD DAMM RIGHT IT MY RIGHT TO STEEL !! by natehoy · · Score: 2, Funny

    Ore what?

    --
    "This post contains words, known to the State of California to cause thought. Wash brain thoroughly after reading."
  12. Hmm... by Spykk · · Score: 4, Funny

    Hmm, I'm not sure about all this. I'm going to have to check with admiral Ackbar on this one.

  13. Re:GOD DAMM RIGHT IT MY RIGHT TO STEEL !! by selven · · Score: 2, Funny

    Ok, no more chemistry jokes. Period.