Freedom to Differ

A blog that speaks freely about law, politics and the internet 



March 14, 2010

Daily Twitter Links

These are some of the things I've been tweeting about today:

Follow me on Twitter @PeterBlackQUT. 

Comments [0]

March 13, 2010

Daily Twitter Links

These are some of the things I've been tweeting about today:

Follow me on Twitter @PeterBlackQUT. 

Comments [0]

March 13, 2010

Man fined for insulting ex-girlfriend on Facebook

Sometimes, we say things we just don't mean. Or, more accurately, that we really do mean, but we wish we hadn't said in public.

Still, with fewer people seeming to care about privacy anymore, the untoward consequences of our free expressions can be costly. It seems, for example, that saying something nasty to your ex-girlfriend on Facebook might cost you 165 British pounds (around $250).

According to the Telegraph, Darren Mattox, a 29-year-old from Wrexham, Wales, confessed in court to writing something "grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene, or menacing character" to a Facebook friend who happened to be his ex-girlfriend.

Will this case lead to others?

(Credit: CC Global X/Flickr)

The court didn't reveal the precise wording of his dismissive missive, but the prosecuting attorney reportedly declared: "The message was brief but clearly of a harassing nature. He claims he just wants to see his baby."

While few can know the full circumstances of this particular case--Maddox was reportedly upset that he couldn't get to see the son he had with his ex-girlfriend--one wonders just what precedent this case might set. Maddox's lawyer told the Telegraph: "He basically made a posting calling her an offensive name."

When things are said during arguments, people might hold a grudge, or they might never speak to the speaker again, but rarely does this sort of thing end up in court.

Social-networking sites, however, can offer clear, lasting evidence of rude words tossed in love, excitement, pain, and even anger. When you say something to someone, even if it's in front of others, it's hard for them to hold you at your word. When you write it on a social network, it's incontrovertible evidence.

It's interesting that for all the nasty words that seem to get tossed around on Facebook daily, this case is the one that ends up in court. I wonder if it will encourage more people to turn to the courtroom to assuage their hurt feelings.

Will people attempt to sue because someone called them a liar on Facebook? Will they attempt to take Facebook group creators--pick any Facebook group that begins with "I hate" and is followed by someone's name--through a legal process that will turn out to be expensive no matter who wins?

We live in interestingly public times.

via news.cnet.com

Comments [0]

March 12, 2010

I don't know what to make of this ... Breast-Milk Cheese

via youtube.com

Comments [1]

March 12, 2010

Daily Twitter Links

These are some of the things I've been tweeting about today:

Follow me on Twitter @PeterBlackQUT. 

Comments [0]

March 12, 2010

Conan O'Brien presents "The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour"

Conan O'Brien has announced a 30 city tour:

The fans of Conan O’Brien will not have to wait much longer — though they may have to wait in long lines — to see their favorite late-night comedian perform again: Starting April 12 in Eugene, Ore., Mr. O’Brien’s 30-city tour — with national and international stops — is on.

And if the title is any indication, the tour will also be sending a message about how Mr. O’Brien and his Team Coco feels about his abrupt departure from NBC’s “Tonight Show” in January. The title: “Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour.”

The title refers to Mr. O’Brien’s settlement with NBC, which included — besides a healthy payout of an estimated $32.5 million — a provision that he cannot appear on television again until after Sept. 1.

But there is no prohibition against going onstage and doing a live show, which is what “Team Coco” (the name bestowed by rabid fans upset by his leaving NBC) has planned, including some regular members of the old Conan TV cast, like his sidekick Andy Richter and members of his old “Tonight Show” band.

Read more here (from the New York Times).

Interestingly, Conan is embracing his growing online fan base:

The official poster for the tour reuses the image made famous on the Internet of Mr. O’Brien, orange hair aflame, in front of an American flag. The image was produced by Mike Mitchell, an artist in Los Angeles, as a show of support for Mr. O’Brien when NBC tried in January to move “The Tonight Show” with him as host to 12:05 a.m. Within days, the image and its message, “I’m with Coco,” were a viral sensation, inspiring dozens of pro-Conan groups on Facebook. Several of Mr. O’Brien’s employees even made the image their Facebook profile photo.

Now they have formally adopted the image as their own. Days after Mr. O’Brien signed off of “The Tonight Show” on Jan. 22, one of the comedian’s producers contacted Mr. Mitchell and said that Mr. O’Brien’s camp wanted the “Coco” illustration to be the emblem of a nationwide tour it was planning.

Read more here (from the New York Times).

This is all well and good, but why isn't Conan coming Down Under?  I'd love to see him add a few Australian venues ...

Comments [1]

March 12, 2010

Lawrence Lessig's Speech at Italian Parliament: "Internet is Freedom"

via blip.tv

Comments [0]

March 11, 2010

Daily Twitter Links

These are some of the things I've been tweeting about today:

Follow me on Twitter @PeterBlackQUT. 

Comments [0]

March 10, 2010

Breaking News: Some Bullshit Happening Somewhere

via youtube.com

Comments [0]

March 10, 2010

Daily Twitter Links

These are some of the things I've been tweeting about today:

Follow me on Twitter @PeterBlackQUT. 

Comments [0]