When Free Speech and Foreign IP Law Collide

segphault writes "Ars Technica has an interesting look at a recent intellectual property case where foreign copyright law conflicts with American freedom of speech rights. In this particular case, Sarl Louis Feraud International v. Viewfinder Inc., American enforcement of the French court's judgement on the basis of comity could establish a dangerous legal precedent that could lead to extensive censorship of the Internet. The article includes analysis of a relevant friend of the court brief filed by the EFF."

Re:Not about "free speech"

[Kuukai]

Under French law, fashion designs are considered to be protected intellectual property, but not under American law.

Our country is seriously fucked up if we can patent genes but not jeans.

Re:The Madame Dufarges of the world attack

[ObsessiveMathsFreak]

Look what happened when General Tito died, and all of that pent-up hatred was released.

But when he was alive, that hatred was put to better use.

Clearly, what is needed is a managed, consistent system of repression, that can leverage the synergy of that hate. Do away with wasteful two minute hates, and simply get people to work harder than their neighbours by offering life to he winner!

Re:What about the reverse?

[Monkelectric]

I have a fairly simple set of rules to figure this stuff out:

If France wants it, its probably bad for us.
If we want it, its probably something good for a corporation and bad for us.

In other words, there are no good guys, ourselves included. The French are hopelessly corrupt, so are we. Live on Xenu.net :)

Re:Not about "free speech"

[QMO]

Yes. In the end, I"P" law is incompatible with freedom. I hope to see and work towards the complete destruction of I"P" law in my lifetime

Totally, dude.
And the same goes for physical property laws.

*mutters*
Stupid freedom-limiting fences and locks.

Re:Not about "free speech"

[aeschenkarnos]

I'm gonna go with "final eight".