Google knobbled?

Shaun · 03-09-2003, 16:02

Google has been forced by the country that touts its wonderful free speech constitution to remove links to Kazza Lite sites. If you perform the search you will be told that 'In response to a complaint we received under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, we have removed 3 result(s) from this page. If you wish, you may read the DMCA complaint for these removed results.'

As you can see in the link below, Sharman networks the company that originally wrote Kazza have issued instructions to Google to remove links to sites where you can download Kazza Lite, the stripped down version of Kazza. Kazza Lite breaches copywrite law because it is just a version of the original Kazza with the adverts and spy-ware removed.

Personally I can see where Sharman Networks are coming from , they wrote the software and should be credited with that, however I don't believe that Google should be stooped from listing sites that allow you to download Kazza Lite, it is these sites that should be the target of the copywrite holders.

Removed sites include www.kazaagold.com, www.kazaalite.tk, and www.kaaza.com.

One strange thing I noticed was that Google is also showing the notices on Google.co.uk, As far as I was aware US laws shouldn't affect non US sites. Or has this changed too.

So much for the United States wonderful constitution for free speech, they seem to stand by their principals until it affects their profits. Is this the first in a long line of 'removals' from Google's database. Is Google going to stop being the definitive search engine because governments and companies don't want us to see things? A sad day in the history of the 'free' Internet if you ask me.

You can read the notice of copywrite infrindgment here:
http://www.chillingeffects.org/dmca5...i?NoticeID=789

And Google's [somewhat forced] stance here:
http://www.google.co.uk/dmca.html

03-09-2003, 16:20

Well I did hear somewere that the yanks did originaly want aol:// instead of the http lol

philip.j.fry · 03-09-2003, 17:03

Quote:

Originally posted by dellwear
One strange thing I noticed was that Google is also showing the notices on Google.co.uk, As far as I was aware US laws shouldn't affect non US sites. Or has this changed too.

I think that google.co.uk is still hosted in the US, (if you look at the ip address for .com and .co.uk they're the same) so the ruling still applies to it.

I can see where the originators of Kazaa are coming from, they put the effort into creating the program and are being hurt by the hacked version (Kazaa lite).

On the other hand, there is the free speech issue. It is up to the individual what they want to search for, if they want to search for illegal software then that is their decision. Google really has no responsibility for what people use it's technology for.

Shaun · 03-09-2003, 17:06

Quote:

Originally posted by philip.j.fry
On the other hand, there is the free speech issue. It is up to the individual what they want to search for, if they want to search for illegal software then that is their decision. Google really has no responsibility for what people use it's technology for.

Thats right, they should be going after the people that took out the spyware and re packaged it as Kazza Lite.

Personally it makes me glad I've moved to eMule.

03-09-2003, 17:07

They first have to prove that everyone that use's Kazaa is searching for illegal software

philip.j.fry · 03-09-2003, 18:25

Quote:

Originally posted by dellwear

Personally it makes me glad I've moved to eMule.

I've discovered the joys of bittorrent

philip.j.fry · 03-09-2003, 18:30

Quote:

Originally posted by Defiant
They first have to prove that everyone that use's Kazaa is searching for illegal software

Okay, it's not the contention that Kazaa can only be used for illegal purposes that has caused Google to remove these links. Instead it is the makers of the Kazaa software that have put the request to Google.

Kazaa Lite is a version of Kazaa that is not endorsed by the makers of Kazaa, someone illegally reverse-engineered a copy of Kazaa and hacked the source code to produce the spyware free version known as Kazaa lite...this is an illegal act.

Back to the issue of Google, I wonder how long it's going to be before SCO try to force google to remove the search term 'linux' from it's database, lmao

zoombini · 04-09-2003, 10:12

the funny thing is that if you then go and read the complaint itself, it tells you where you can find the sites that it has removed...LOL

04-09-2003, 11:14

actions like this not only damage the freedom of the internet, it also makes the copyright owners of Kazaa look bad.
Who in their rioght mind after seeing this is going to downlaod and install kazaa when it objects to people being able to search for a name.

It is my beleif that the way the US dominates the Internet is becoming detrimental to all.
Freedom of speach my arse, we have more freedom in the UK.

Lord Nikon · 04-09-2003, 12:27

Someone I know in the US has received a letter.

Her ISP is now monitoring all traffic and people found downloading p2p software will now be disconnected and their equipment seized.

danielf · 04-09-2003, 14:37

Quote:

Originally posted by Lord Nikon
Someone I know in the US has received a letter.

Her ISP is now monitoring all traffic and people found downloading p2p software will now be disconnected and their equipment seized.

They get disconnected for downloading p2p software (rather than using p2p software)? This is getting really silly. What law is broken when you download p2p software? And are you not disconnected when you use p2p software you have already downloaded?

MadGamer · 04-09-2003, 14:47

How comes over 3 million users use Kaza every day then? explain that.

downquark1 · 04-09-2003, 16:59

I know this is a shocking thing to say but much of america's policies remind me of nazism.

Google should relocate into international water.

Bill Payer · 04-09-2003, 17:31

This is rich!
Kazaa claiming copywrite infrindgment . What about the poor artists whose music is being swapped via Kazaa?