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0 pointsjordigh11y ago0 comments

> The only reason HNers are pulling out the DMCA is because another project is (unethically or not) using their names to raise funds in a way that they do not permit.

And what does that have to do with the digital millenium copyright act? Using a name without permission in a way that can confuse consumers is a trademark violation, not a copyright violation.

It's horrible that the DMCA has turned into a generic weapon in legal online warfare.

0 comments

serf11y ago

>It's horrible that the DMCA has turned into a generic weapon in legal online warfare.

agreed, and it sucks that the DMCAs most vocal 'anti-group' (techies) is resorting to such threats so quickly.

jusssi11y ago

Bad legislation only sucks when you're at the wrong end of it.

Also, pushing misuse of bad legislation "to the max" might be the fastest way to get it fixed.

dec0dedab0de11y ago

Bad legislation only sucks when you're at the wrong end of it.

That really sums up the problem with all governments quite nicely.

nitrogen11y ago

Some open source licenses prohibit the use of the names of contributors to promote a derived product (e.g. 3-clause BSD). Violating that clause could terminate the license to distribute, then the DMCA could be used to stop the unauthorized distribution. Not a lawyer.

comex11y ago

tip4commit is not distributing anyone's code.

SolarNet11y ago

It's not about the name thing. It's about the usage of parts of the licensed material without following the license. For example, commit messages, the subtitle, etc.

Theoretically:

* tip4commit violates the license the code is published under (for example if it has a NonCommercial clause).

* The original author is now the only one who has copyright.

* tip4commit is using safe harbor protections (a user chooses to create a page for a project).

* DMCA is now applicable to protect the copyright of the original author.

JohnTHaller11y ago

It doesn't. It would likely fall under trademark law. Could possibly also fall under fraud. But people have come to using 'use the DMCA' for everything involving copyrights, trademarks, and licensing agreements for some reason.

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