DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11050
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Mar 03 2013 06:17 PM
Many of you have heard by now of a phenomenon known as the Patent Troll. These are entities that buy up patents and use them offensively to make money, with no regard to the damage it does to society. Now, there's one going after podcasts - all podcasts. This is a real threat, they've already successfully sued Apple.
This is a non-partisan issue that effects all users and future users of the internet, and really has potential for even greater damage. Fortunately, there is a response to this threat- The Shield Act. Go to this link and it will guide you to automatically tell your representatives to support the Shield Act. DO IT!!!! (please)
www.eff.org/shield
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
Last edited: Mar 03, 2013 18:18:54
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Mar 03 2013 06:43 PM
It seems there are more than one kind of pirate harming musicians. Thanks for the heads-up, Danny.
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
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Surfgitar
Joined: Mar 16, 2007
Posts: 1342
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
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Posted on Mar 04 2013 07:57 AM
Done. (That was easy.)
— CUTBACK
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vintagesurfdude
Joined: Nov 28, 2011
Posts: 795
Prescott Valley, AZ
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Posted on Mar 05 2013 01:22 AM
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DNAdude
Joined: Aug 01, 2008
Posts: 404
North Carolina
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Posted on Mar 05 2013 06:27 AM
Done
— Ralph
The Storm Surfers
Be at one with the universe. If you can't do that, at least be at one with your guitar.
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kab69440
Joined: Mar 14, 2010
Posts: 39
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Posted on Mar 05 2013 07:29 AM
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Fady
Joined: Mar 07, 2010
Posts: 2254
North Carolina
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Posted on Mar 09 2013 08:32 AM
Noble cause, but at a cursory glance, it appears to be an effort focused on the symptom, not the problem. Meaning, from the limited information I see, it appears to be a plea giving someone authority to decide if a patent owners rights will be enforced or not.
As that 9 to 5 Mac article writes "The new patent, issued just last year on Feb. 7, 2012, is quite broad and describes a 'System for Disseminating Media Content Representing Episodes in a Serialized Sequence.' ", it would seem the bigger issue here is the legitimacy or rigor that goes into issuance of a patent nowadays.
Anyone aware of any efforts focused on addressing/improving the patent issuance side of the equation?
— Fady
El Mirage @ ReverbNation
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19275
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Mar 09 2013 10:10 AM
There is a major effort underway right now to reform the patent system, at least when it comes to technology and information systems.
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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tubeswell
Joined: Sep 24, 2011
Posts: 1424
Wellington, NZ
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Posted on Dec 12 2013 06:30 PM
How did this go (so far)?
— He who dies with the most tubes... wins
Surf Daddies
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Fady
Joined: Mar 07, 2010
Posts: 2254
North Carolina
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Posted on Dec 12 2013 08:39 PM
(Corrected Bill No. & citation of vote tally)
Good timing. US House of Reps just voted last week (Dec 5) with a decisive majority on legislation to curb patent trolls at-large. House Bill HR 3309 "Innovation Act". Passed 325-91 (votes).
I think it needs to still get through the Senate before it really matters, but the topic has attention.
A few associated links:
http://judiciary.house.gov/news/2013/12052013.html
http://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20131202/CPRT-113-HPRT-RU00-HR3309.xml
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2013/12/05/the-house-votes-on-patent-reform-today-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
— Fady
El Mirage @ ReverbNation
Last edited: Dec 12, 2013 21:11:12
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tubeswell
Joined: Sep 24, 2011
Posts: 1424
Wellington, NZ
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Posted on Dec 13 2013 09:39 AM
Yay! I would've voted but mine would've been a troll vote if it had've let me, which it didn't (and rightfully so). (When I tried to enter the postal code for Wellington, NZ, it didn't know WTF was going on)
— He who dies with the most tubes... wins
Surf Daddies
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tubeswell
Joined: Sep 24, 2011
Posts: 1424
Wellington, NZ
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Posted on Dec 13 2013 09:39 AM
So does this mean there will be another SG101 podcast soon?
— He who dies with the most tubes... wins
Surf Daddies
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19275
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Aug 19 2014 01:12 PM
Some news on this front via the EFF:
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Adam Carolla’s Settlement with the Podcasting Troll
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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MadScientist
Joined: Jan 17, 2008
Posts: 2188
Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Aug 19 2014 01:42 PM
Great explanation of what's happened (and continues to happen!). I hate that it got settled only because of what the result could have been, but I certainly understand how expensive this all is. Buncha bullies. Here's hoping the bigger dogs in the fight will take it even further!
Thanks for the update, Brian!
—
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19275
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Aug 19 2014 02:05 PM
Just blows my mind you can get a patent for creating an .mp3 file and putting it on the internet for other people to download.
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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MadScientist
Joined: Jan 17, 2008
Posts: 2188
Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Aug 19 2014 02:10 PM
It blows my mind that you can use the courts to bully the citizens of this country.
I hope this troll gets clobbered. It's such an important case.
—
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josheboy
Joined: Mar 13, 2009
Posts: 2365
Twin Cities, MN
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Posted on Aug 19 2014 02:39 PM
Greed...
That's why I love the whole Linux community. Innovation and sharing for FREE!
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Ariel
Joined: Aug 29, 2009
Posts: 1556
Israel
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Posted on Aug 19 2014 03:07 PM
Brian wrote:
Just blows my mind you can get a patent for creating an .mp3 file and putting it on the internet for other people to download.
I heard the actual definition was an even broader stroke, along the lines of "A series of chapters of online audio content in sequential order"... That's completely nuts.
Too much lawyers, making 'justice' a business, what can you expect.
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19275
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Apr 11 2015 06:08 PM
A nice ending to the story:
EFF Busts Podcasting Patent, Invalidating Key Claims at Patent Office
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11050
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Apr 11 2015 07:02 PM
that's great news, thanks for updating us Brian.
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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