Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Is Being In the Same BitTorrent "Swarm" Equal To "Interacting"?

Posted by Unknown on from the my-closest-friends-are-ip-addresses dept.

NewYorkCountryLawyer writes "In the new wave of bittorrent downloading cases, the plaintiffs' lawyers like to lump a number of 'John Does' together in the same case in order to avoid filing fees ($350 a pop). Their excuse for 'joinder' is the allegation that the defendants 'interacted' with each other by reason of the fact that their torrents may have emanated from the same 'swarm.' In Malibu Media v. Does 1-5, when John Doe #4 indicated his intention to move for severance, the Court asked the lawyers to address the 'swarm' issue in their papers. So when John Doe #4 filed his or her motion to quash, sever, and dismiss, he filed a detailed memorandum of law (PDF) analyzing the 'swarm' theory in detail. What do you think?"

8 of 166 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Sounds a little hokey by masternerdguy · · Score: 5, Funny

    But this involves the internet which makes it different.

    --
    To offset political mods, replace Flamebait with Insightful.
  2. Re:Sounds a little hokey by MightyMartian · · Score: 5, Funny

    Or to use a mixed car-superhero analogy, if you're parked in a parking lot when the Incredible Hulk goes on a car-smashing spree, can you be held liable for the other cars being smashed?

    --
    The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
  3. Re:Sounds a little hokey by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Depends on if you you're speaking realistically, or riaalistically.

  4. Re:Sounds a little hokey by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I put forward something a little closer to the topic: Is sitting on a toilet connected to the same sewage "system" equal to "giving a sh!t"?

    It's all tubes, after all!

  5. Re:Sounds a little hokey by koolfy · · Score: 5, Funny

    This may very well be the worst analogy I have read in a long, long time.

    It's perfect.
    Perfectly broken.
    In every way possible.

    --
    Segmentation Fault in "Life, Universe and Everything" at line 42. Don't Panic.
  6. Re:Sounds a little hokey by PopeRatzo · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'll sue your pants off!

    Does that work? Would it be possible to sue a blouse off?

    Just asking theoretically, you understand.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  7. Why would you ask slashdot? by Xtifr · · Score: 5, Funny

    Gee, as soon as I finish getting my legal advice from Slashdot, maybe I'll head over to LawBlog to see if they can help me debug some of my Python code.... :)

  8. Re:Sounds a little hokey by cpu6502 · · Score: 5, Funny

    >>>incorrect, there are ways to not upload data. I do it all the time

    Please share.
    Wait wrong term.
    Please tell us how you do it.

    --
    My AC stalker: " I personally agree with your posts most of the time, but that won't keep me from modding you troll"