So this is basically just theft. The police are just like the Crips and Bloods, except they're taxpayer funded.

Great job electing a bunch of right-wing assholes yet again, England.

The data's only "untrustworthy" if you're a fucking dipshit anti-science luddite like mister Maynard here.

This is the kind of guy who puts "some college" on job applications because he once worked at one.

"No proprietary firmware". This is a direct quote from where? RTFA. The FSF never claimed that...

The article is confusing, but it seems like the fine is actually $16.03 million. What is infuriating is this is a settlement agreement so that the state will not release the names of the donors. It looks as if they are basically paying off the state so they don't have the deal with the public fallout.

"I would guess" you're making shit up. You're willing to throw out anonymity and privacy because some people might be circumventing copyright somehow? You're pathetic. (Or you're a government astroturfer. But I repeat myself.)

So about $2 million dollars per employee? I doubt it's the people making the software making the majority of that money...

I don't even see anything to discuss. Seriously, how the hell is this acceptable?

And Swartz's super serious multi-felony crime was trying to fix this situation? Every time I look back at this case, it befuddles me. The only insane people here are the prosecution, and they need to be called out on it and punished along with everyone involved in this travesty of justice.

Producing and documenting open technical and process standards is one exception where corporate collusion is not only acceptable, it is often encouraged.

Now making about 50 percent more in Australia. Went from high five figures to low six. Living the American Dream(TM) in the southern hemisphere.

You're out of your fucking mind if you think a Romney presidency wouldn't be worse than what we've got right now.

It would be an utter and complete horrorshow.

Has this ever, in the history of the United States, actually worked?

I'll spare you the research: no, it hasn't.

My theory is that the US Government was using the RIAA/MPAA as a proxy to get this rammed through.