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Threat of lawsuit passes for student (Daily Princetonian)

Threat of lawsuit passes for student (Daily Princetonian)

Posted Oct 10, 2003 15:37 UTC (Fri) by dr_lha (guest, #86)
Parent article: Threat of lawsuit passes for student (Daily Princetonian)

So Suncomm's action basically is a "we're watching you" warning to anyone. Yes they may not have filed a suit, but their actions will make people think twice in future about publishing information on how to get around their lame copyprotection.

What I get out of this is a stong feeling that something needs to be done to protect academics from such lawsuits in the first place, so that things like this can't happen. As the RIAA have shown, the threat of a lawsuit these days is being used as a vigilante tool, as few people can afford to go to court. This clearly needs to be changed.


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Threat of lawsuit passes for student (Daily Princetonian)

Posted Oct 10, 2003 16:39 UTC (Fri) by pglennon (guest, #649) [Link]

more than likely they just wanted to avoid the embarrassment of having to admit that their technology is bypassable with the SHIFT key. Publicity on that might make others think twice about engaging them for products like this in the future.

-P

Threat of lawsuit passes for student (Daily Princetonian)

Posted Oct 10, 2003 16:47 UTC (Fri) by jasonW (guest, #15835) [Link]

There are quite a few things that need to be changed in the good ole U.S. of A, but very few of them will. And the DCMA or the RIAA? Forget about it. We live in a replublic ruled by the rich and money. If you, like me, are in the middle class, there is little you can do to be heard or change anything.

Now, if someday you happen to stumble upon something that pushes you past "middle class", you can then use your money to exact some change. Until that day there is little we can do.

As I see it, there is very little we can do if sued! The court system is so messed up that it is easier to just settle than actually take something to trial and prove your case. That is why you see masses settling with the RIAA instead of bringing it to trial. Same thing with the DCMA folks. Granted, it would not be that difficult to prove why the DCMA is completely and utterly wrong, it would just be to damned expensive for the average person.

Threat of lawsuit passes for student (Daily Princetonian)

Posted Oct 10, 2003 17:08 UTC (Fri) by dr_lha (guest, #86) [Link]

I share your views, however it's good to point out how f***ed up the system is now and then, otherwise people will start to just accept it.

Threat of lawsuit passes for student (Daily Princetonian)

Posted Oct 10, 2003 17:23 UTC (Fri) by jasonW (guest, #15835) [Link]

I completely agree..and my wife could testify to my constant complaining about the system. It is utterly unfortunate that reason has so little to do with our legal system. Rather, we are ruled by laws written to preserve wealth and priviledge.

Threat of lawsuit passes for student (Daily Princetonian)

Posted Oct 10, 2003 18:03 UTC (Fri) by torsten (guest, #4137) [Link]

Your fatalistic attitude is worthless. Have you ever lived in a country where you really don't have much choice? Where your thoughts are controlled, and any attempt to challenge either the rich or the government winds you up six feet under?

No? That's what I thought, you don't have a fucking clue how good you have it.

Your victim-mindset is exactly what the US government, and the rich, are trying to breed, because it keeps you from ever threatening them. It is the new evolved way of suppressing the populace, since overt threats on people's life has gone out of style in "modernized" countries (though, the killings have not stopped, just the overt threats). You need to figure out how you wound up in this tarpit, dig yourself a way out, and get prepared to speak your mind, express your thoughts, and at least try to make a difference, even if everyone around you has told you you never will.

Your biggest problem is being heard. People will only ever listen if you have something to say.

Threat of lawsuit passes for student (Daily Princetonian)

Posted Oct 10, 2003 18:17 UTC (Fri) by jasonW (guest, #15835) [Link]

"Your victim-mindset is exactly what the US government, and the rich, are trying to breed, because it keeps you from ever threatening them. It is the new evolved way of suppressing the populace, since overt threats on people's life has gone out of style in "modernized" countries (though, the killings have not stopped, just the overt threats). You need to figure out how you wound up in this tarpit, dig yourself a way out, and get prepared to speak your mind, express your thoughts, and at least try to make a difference, even if everyone around you has told you you never will."

Firstly, how could you wrongly conclude that I have a victim mindset? I do not. Rather, I simply stated that this country is ruled by money. That is stating a point of fact. The point could be debated, not my mindset.

Secondly, you are correct that overt threats of bodily harm or death have been outmoded for threats of extreme poverty (via debt or bankruptcy) or even jail time. You have that point, but that is not a point I was contending.

"Your biggest problem is being heard. People will only ever listen if you have something to say. "

Of course, that is not true. Take SCO as our example. They really have nothing to say and yet people listen to them to the tune of a huge stock jump. Most people in America follow the money, plain and simple.

Threat of lawsuit passes for student (Daily Princetonian)

Posted Oct 10, 2003 18:21 UTC (Fri) by a_hippie (guest, #34) [Link]

torsten, I agree with your statement. I think some of us have been trying
hard for a very long time to help change this broken system with little
success. We do mean well, but sometimes, just sometimes, we might wonder
aloud, "have I done anything worthy at all?"

We need more attitudes like yours to keep our collective spirits high and
ready to keep a firm handle on this never ending stuggle.

These threats are not going to stop, they will only become more popular.
We must maintain our collective will.

Wishing you well.

Threat of lawsuit passes for student (Daily Princetonian)

Posted Oct 10, 2003 22:52 UTC (Fri) by rfunk (subscriber, #4054) [Link]

We do have some elections coming up next year. And some of the candidates actually want to change things.

http:// www.deanforamerica.com/NAN

Threat of lawsuit passes for student (Daily Princetonian)

Posted Oct 24, 2003 7:06 UTC (Fri) by man_ls (subscriber, #15091) [Link]

What I get out of this is a stong feeling that something needs to be done to protect academics from such lawsuits in the first place, [...]
This seems to me a very dangerous thing indeed, protecting *only* academics. Aren't common people good enough to be protected from being sued for speaking up? Do you have to wait for some "academic" to tell you the truth?

Things are really screwed up, when petty trade secrets are more important than free speech.

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