For once I actually sort of agree here. This one's something they SHOULD be monitoring and can legally do so since it's international. If it comes out later that they monitor non-international usage as well... hm. Well, then we've got a problem. For now though this is just business as usual.

Not to say I really like it or approve. I'm still upset about the whole metadata thing to be honest.

You're right regarding backward compatibility- but at least having the OPTION is nice. Sure the 3DS can't play GBA games, but it still does DS games just fine. Likewise did the GBA happily play GB games... the Wii played Gamecube, and the Wii U played Wii. I don't need to be able to plug NES carts into the Wii U, but at least continuing to support the previous gen is nice. One less thing for me to hook into the TV.

As a man with a broken PS2, the main thing holding me back from buying one of the cheap new models of PS3 is that lack of backwards compatibility. It's disappointing, but what can you do.

Nintendo's already sort of bridging the gap- it's a fascinating strategy really. They've got a console that works on a TV, but can also be played using only its own controller with built in screen. In addition to that, they're working on improving integration with their current handheld, the 2/3DS for games such as the upcoming Smash Bros, allowing multiplayer between the handheld and console versions. Personally I'm still torn on whether or not to get both!

It's a bit risky- they're not the most powerful console on its own, and tablets/phones have hurt the traditional handheld gaming market, but the 3DS has been doing very well lately with a lot of really great games (I haven't really put Animal Crossing: New Leaf down since I got it.) It will be very interesting to see where they go from here.

Not entirely true- I was listed as a reference for a friend of the family who was applying for work with the TSA, and they did call us to double check and hear said reference...

After they'd already hired him, mind you, but still.

All depends on how you look at it. Their goal and what we SAY their goal is are two different things.

They want to convert us to Sharia- which has less freedoms, which is basically the summed up version the American people were given, that they want to restrict/remove our freedoms. It's not wrong, it's just not specific enough.

Their stated goal has not been achieved- but our freedoms HAVE been impacted, so while they're not winning, the American people are still losing. Still... thought of them ever achieving their TRUE goal would be terrifying. Thank god it's never gotten that bad.

Now here's a frood who really knows where his towel is...

...I'd still watch it.

Coming up next, our newest feature: Things I wish surprised me, even a little.

Huh! You learn something new every day- how interesting! Thanks for sharing this ^^

Yes, I agree with that entirely- hence my suggestion that this is a "fold", meaning that it's not worth fighting. My reaction would not have been unlike what the original writer's was- especially when faced with a legal threat.

But this points to a larger issue with society that's been argued on Slashdot n+1 times as is, and I can add little new to that conversation. Suffice to say it worries me tremendously that societies exist in which one can be silenced by spurious or outright invalid legal threats.

The man who sent the email in question was no lawyer, since his later threats allude to having a lawyer start sending form letters and what not.

As far as I can tell he doesn't have a case, but I'm quite far from being an international IP attorney, and between knowing when to hold and when to fold... well, a simple character name is definitely a fold, when you get into the costs of this sort of thing.

Not to say it doesn't piss me right off. This person created the name before the bad-spelling-person ever filed for a trademark. I'd say "That's like Disney suing someone named Mickey before they even created him", but... I worry Disney could have gotten away with that.

You seem to have confused Michael Bay with J.J. Abrams.

My only regret today is that I used up my mod points before reading this comment. +1 mod in whatever category most pleases you.