Just a warning Re: news stories

[CiverDan]

Hopefully the mods and posters alike read this and take note. Within the past new months a "Copyright Troll" working for the Las Vegas Review-Journal (and a couple other smaller media companies as well) has been searching the web for any stories, snippets of stories, even links to stories. They find one, buy the rights to it then immediately sue the owner of the site where the story is posted, no takedown notice or letter or anything just an immediate lawsuit where they try to get a quick settlement of $5-10k.

This has already happens to one site I post frequently on (a weather forum) due to a post someone made in the OT there. Until the courts can rule that site/blogs cannot can held strictly liable for posts by members like this I am afraid posters on ANY forum will have to be very careful about posting any snippit/link to news stories

I think the whole thing really stinks (and a perversion of what the law intended), but to avoid the site getting slapped with a stupid lawsuit (and potential for removal of OT etc. as a reaction by admins) I recommend that posters stop reposting entire articles and avoid even linking stories that do not originate from nationally "well known" sources. Especially avoid stories from newspapers of small-medium markets as this is a client base this troll is trying to cultivate.

I hate too see the OT become "less fun" due to restrictions but I would hate to see the OT board shut down because of one snippit of a news story someone posted.

 

[Ajidica]

I thought that newspaper articles reposted/linked to fell under fair use?

 

[CiverDan]

I thought that newspaper articles reposted/linked to fell under fair use?

Reposting entire stories is a gray area. Links are supposed to be fine, but this troll just doesn't care. They are simply doing this as what they see is a easy way to make money. Until the courts stuff this in there face (which may take a while) any forum/blog needs to be more vigilant.

 

[madviking]

Seems like a pile of BS. News aggregators would probably the first to be hit, but I don't see Digg nor reddit being taken down by any copyright hawks.

 

[illram]

Wow so apparently this is really happening.

I mean, this smacks as violating clear provisions of the DMCA, unethical, potentially illegal, and also a losing battle simply based on longstanding copyright law provisions, such as fair use.

If these slimeballs sue the wrong person they are in for a serious smackdown.

 

[Speedo]

Seems like a pile of BS. News aggregators would probably the first to be hit, but I don't see Digg nor reddit being taken down by any copyright hawks.

Digg and reddit can afford to fight back. Why would they be targeted?

 

[madviking]

Digg and reddit can afford to fight back. Why would they be targeted?

Because they have money. The kind of money this troll is looking for.

 

[Takhisis]

Come to uncle Takh when you need linking to something then!! I live in banana republic!! Sure, the government didn't protect me from local gangs and I was mugged twice in my first two weeks at uni this semester, but there's no way those people can get at me here

 

[SG-17]

Man Kotaku, the other Gawker sites and N4G are probably going to be prime targets.

 

[EnglishEdward]

Man Kotaku, the other Gawker sites and N4G are probably going to be prime targets.

IMHO their 2nd amendment facilitates the means for USAsians to deal
with thieving lawyers who's violate their 1st amendment rights.

 

[ArneHD]

Come to uncle Takh when you need linking to something then!! I live in banana republic!! Sure, the government didn't protect me from local gangs and I was mugged twice in my first two weeks at uni this semester, but there's no way those people can get at me here

They would not be suing you (I think), but Civfanatics Forums. So unless you are saying that they ought to relocate their servers, nice idea, but not workable.

 

[JohnRM]

Sounds like someone needs to make these guys and offer they can't refuse.

 

[Quackers]

Come to uncle Takh when you need linking to something then!! I live in banana republic!! Sure, the government didn't protect me from local gangs and I was mugged twice in my first two weeks at uni this semester, but there's no way those people can get at me here

I thought you hard scots would fight back! Or at least throw a deep fried mars bar at them

 

[Zelig]

I recommend moving CFC to some faster servers outside of the US.

This solves both this problem, and puts the site on servers that can actually handle the traffic load.

 

[Speedo]

Because they have money. The kind of money this troll is looking for.

The entire point of the troll is to target those who can't afford to fight back and will instead pay a settlement. They know that if they actually get taken to court they're almost certain to lose.

 

[Takhisis]

They would not be suing you (I think), but Civfanatics Forums. So unless you are saying that they ought to relocate their servers, nice idea, but not workable.

Apparently the forum is not responsible for whatever people post in it (as long as it's not an admin who does it), but you can send it over here anyways.

I thought you hard scots would fight back! Or at least throw a deep fried mars bar at them

Why throw away such a delicacy? Better eat it, gain +2 strength and +5 agility (sugar boost!) and then fight the enemy.

I recommend moving CFC to some faster servers outside of the US.

This solves both this problem, and puts the site on servers that can actually handle the traffic load.

Send 'em ovah!