Re:Perhaps just remove the actual text copies (Score 1)

Microsoft didn't ask Slashdot to remove comments which were critical of the company. They asked Slashdot to remove articles which violated Microsoft's legitimate copyright.

Yup. Much though I loathe Microsoft, it seems to me that they have a pretty clearcut case of copyright violation, at least as regards the postings of the original text. Arguments of ownership are irrelevant, as Slashdot are now knowingly distributing material in breach of copyright.

Slashdot should, following legal advice, remove those posts that violate the law most egregiously, but retain as many borderline posts as possible. At every step, Slashdot should be as obstructive as they can be and remain within the law.

This should not be seen as a loss to free speech, as Slashdot provides an open forum. There is nothing to stop people anomymously reposting the information. If the Microsoft legal department has each time to find the posts, and write to Slashdot, which then waits 48 hours to remove them, then this information will essentially remain in public view.

The great strength of the Internet is fundamentally not its lack of censorship, but in its sheer size and diversity. Once information escapes, it can be copied and permuted so far and so fast that there is really no chance of closing Pandora's Box.

XOX DOM