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Dropbox Attempts To Kill Open Source Project

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the draw-your-swords dept.

Meskarune writes "Dropbox is trying to kill the Dropship project, a useful program that allows users to import files into their accounts using hashes and bypassing the need to make files public. Dropbox sent out fake DMCA requests to all parties involved, and is banning and censoring the program."

4 of 250 comments (clear)

  1. Is that fraud? by Sprouticus · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Wouldn't an attempt to intentionally mislead someone with regard to DMCA be regarded as fraud?

    1. Re:Is that fraud? by LordLimecat · · Score: 5, Interesting

      It was not a DMCA "request". It was a notification that they were removing the file in order to comply with DMCA Section 512 C-1-c, which indicates "No liability if ... upon obtaining knowledge or awareness, OSP expeditiously removes Work"

      In other words, they believed the material to infringe on DMCA, and as the file host, they have the right and duty to remove such a file when they believe it to be infringing. See, Dropbox isnt just the potentially "injured party", they are also the service provider-- and that is the capacity they were issuing the notice in. (NB- IANAL)

  2. Re:Maybe a BIT sensationalistic... by xMrFishx · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Why is there even a default DMCA notice in the system in the first place? Surely these things should be manually handled, rather than essentially "spammed" out. This is the sort of realm of Auto-Lawsuits where everyone got a letter through their mail box. This sort of thing should not be automatic in any sense of the word.

  3. Re:Maybe a BIT sensationalistic... by 0100010001010011 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    VIA post at slashdot.org

    Re: Copyright Claim

    The Slashdot Hosting Company:

    I am the copyright owner of the post being infringed at:

    http://news.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=2105778&cid=35944048

    Copies of the post being infringed are included to assist with their removal from the infringing Web sites.

    This letter is official notification under the provisions of Section 512(c) of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”) to effect removal of the above-reported infringements. I request that you immediately issue a cancellation message as specified in RFC 1036 for the specified postings and prevent the infringer, who is identified by its Web address, from posting the infringing photographs to your servers in the future. Please be advised that law requires you, as a service provider, to “expeditiously remove or disable access to” the infringing photographs upon receiving this notice. Noncompliance may result in a loss of immunity for liability under the DMCA.

    I have a good faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of here is not authorized by me, the copyright holder, or the law. The information provided here is accurate to the best of my knowledge. I swear under penalty of perjury that I am the copyright holder.

    Please send me at the address noted below a prompt response indicating the actions you have taken to resolve this matter.

    Sincerely,

    0100010001010011