Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Righthaven Stops Showing Up In Court

Posted by Soulskill on from the waving-the-white-flag dept.

Fluffeh writes "This story has gone from funny to sad. Following copyright-troll Righthaven's recent whipping by a judge, it now appears the company has just given up altogether. CEO Steve Gibson is working at another job (while being investigated by the Nevada Bar) and main lawyer Shawn Mangano apparently has completely stopped responding to all attempts to contact him, even by the court. All this has resulted in the key appeals in its cases to be dismissed 'for lack of prosecution.' Last Thursday it also had a key case closed, with prejudice, driving another nail in its already buried coffin."

7 of 122 comments (clear)

  1. What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    "This story has gone from funny to said."

    Another quality slashdot article!

  2. driving another nail in its already buried coffin? by V.+P.+Winterbuttocks · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Now that's a bizarre twist to that metaphor...

    --
    I'm the real Vorokrytin P. Winterbuttocks.
  3. Is this the end? by Jason+Levine · · Score: 5, Insightful

    With all Righthaven did, I wonder if this will simply be the end to the lawsuits. If so, this would be a really bad thing. When all is said and done, if the courts just shut down the lawsuits now, the folks behind Righthaven will have been able to sue a bunch of people and then walk away without any penalties. Sure, Righthaven will be shuttered, but there are indications that they shuttled assets elsewhere first to avoid paying debts. If the courts allow this, what's to stop any company from forming a shell company (to protect the parent), conducting a series of lawsuits, and simply dissolving the shell if things go badly? The downside here seems low and the upside (if you are successful in forcing people to settle) seems high. There needs to be a full investigation here with appropriate charges filed/fines issued to make sure other companies get the message that this is unacceptable.

    --
    My sci-fi novel, Ghost Thief, is now available from Amazon.com.
  4. Fuck up careers by future+assassin · · Score: 3, Insightful

    So these guys just fucked their careers for life, for what? A promise of some $$$ at the end of the line....

    --
    by TheSpoom (715771) Uncaring Linux user here. I have nothing to add to this but please continue. *munches popcorn*
    1. Re:Fuck up careers by Just+Some+Guy · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I like England's "loser pays" law.

      I don't. I don't have the millions of dollars to pay a high end legal team that a corporation might be able to afford, so "loser pays" would boil down to "I have no rights against rich entities". No thanks.

      --
      Dewey, what part of this looks like authorities should be involved?
  5. And so the two most responsible people walk away.. by MetalliQaZ · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ..with hardly any punishment for the thousands of dollars of losses they inflicted on their victims. Makes me sick.

    --
    "Here Lies Philip J. Fry, named for his uncle, to carry on his spirit"
  6. "gone from funny to sad"? by tobiasly · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This story has gone from funny to sad.

    Nope. Still funny.