Million-Dollar Donation To Fight Abusive Copyrights

WeekendKruzr writes: "There is a story on C|Net detailing how Duke University's law school received an anonymous gift of $1 million for the express purpose of funding '...advocacy and research aimed at curtailing the recent expansion of copyright law.' It's good to know that we have some well-funded idealists on our side, even if they are 'Anonymous Cowards.' ;^) This, combined with the recent rash of even large corporations running afoul of intellectual property law, could precipitate some tangible results in the next couple of years."

bad news for Linux?

[tps12]

I've hated intellectual property for as long as anyone. When I started out my career as a young geeklet, I'd frequently pirate games for my Apple ][, and I would always tape music from my friends. I still enjoy copying mp3s and warezing games (though mostly I just don't want to shell out for something that may or may not run under Wine).

But like it or hate it, Linux's success pretty much hinges upon intellectual property laws. Without copyright and patent laws that make the GPL enforceable, Linux would be no better off than *BSD, and certainly wouldn't have made the inroads it has at IBM and HP.

Microsoft will always do fine, with or without intellectual property laws. They sell certification, training, and support in addition to IP. And Linux's only advantages--better stability and security--are only as safe as its code base. If intellectual property laws are repealed, then Linux as we know it is doomed.

Theory on the donor....

[jsonmez]

This is my theory on the donor... You know how serial killers eventually get caught, not because people outsmart them, but because they feel guilty and really want to be caught and punished so they leave clues... I think it's the guy that copyrighted the phone numbers as music pieces, or maybe the jpg company...

Re:A good start, but???

[Stephen VanDahm]

Dude, I bet you could purchase at least four Senators with $1,000,000. If not, then I'm sure there's a rent-to-own plan out there...

Re:Lawsuit v. Duke University School of Law?

[Anonymous Coward]

You generally don't sue people who (a) know more about the law than you and (b) have hundreds more lawyers than you, especially since (c) they have those hundreds more lawyers for free.

Duke's law students are only apprentice lawyers. Barely level 1 in AD&D terms. The kinds of lawyers the MPAA can afford to employ are level 15 not to mention they have hundreds of dark clerics on their side of the table.

Just a minute...

[Anixamander]

It's good to know that we have some well-funded idealists on our side, even if they are 'Anonymous Cowards.' ;^)

Interesting article submission, yet it violates my patent on "a method for using ASCII test to simulate a pointy nosed person winking and smiling ." You will be hearing from my lawyers.

Yes...and in related news...

[fireboy1919]

In a surprise announcement, the Republican National Committee has revealed it is bankrupt! A spokesman for the party said they had plenty of money in their accounts last week, but today they just don't know where the money has gone. But not everybody's going begging. Amnesty International, Greenpeace, and the United Negro College Fund announced record earnings this week, due mostly to large, anonymous donations.

And Duke is the best place for this?

[sunilhari]

Of course, Duke Law is THE best place to give such a donation, given that their most famous alumnus is ... Richard Nixon.

You were right.

[Anonymous Coward]

It was me.

One million [pinky to corner of mouth] dollars?

[Mind Socket]

At lawyers rates, that'll last .. ummm .. 4 hours.

who was that masked man?

[stinkythumbs]

Receptionist: Sir, a man just swung down through the open window and gave me this envelope with a million dollars in it, and a letter instructing us to fight the stupid/phoney patents we've been seeing.

Duke Lawyer: Who was that masked man?!

Receptionist: I'm not sure, but he had ebay written on his chest.

Duke Lawyer: He must be one of those out of work bay area IT people. Throw it in with the rest of the "donations".