[wordup] Tivo is Theft and MAPS ...

[Adam Shand]

I got a couple responses along these lines from the TIVO posting.  -- Adam.

From: kohjak at chariot.net.au
Subject: Re: [wordup] Tivo is Theft
Date: 05 May 2002 13:23:46 +0930

Worse than it being a felony to record shows , what happens when 
I flick channels with my remote ? If you follow this line of reasoning 
then soon we may be forced to get out of the couch & change the 
fucken channel ourselves . God forbid it may lead to us just turning 
it off ...

----------------------------------------------

As for this I believe that it's true but something also sets off my
bullshit meter.  I suspect that there is more to the story that we
aren't being told (like someone was sleeping with someone).  Regardless
of extenuating circumstances, this is bullshit and it's sad that this
has happened to MAPS.  Still I have to say that with the increased savvy
of spammers and the advent of new tools like razor and spam assassin,
MAPS as the be all, end off of spam prevention is pretty much a by gone
age.  -- Adam.

From: Declan McCullagh <declan at well.com>
Subject: FC: Lawsuit erupts between MAPS anti-spam blacklist and former director
Date: 07 May 2002 09:34:34 -0400

Date: Mon, 6 May 2002 18:12:38 -0400
From: Rich Kulawiec <rsk at firemountain.net>
To: declan at well.com
Subject: [nick at JUSTTHE.NET: COURT:  MAPS Sues Former Employee and DUL 
Founder, Gordon Fecyk]

[ I haven't read the entire referenced web site, but so far, it's
fascinating.  ---Rsk ]

----- Forwarded message from Nick Nicholas <nick at JUSTTHE.NET> -----

 > From: Nick Nicholas <nick at JUSTTHE.NET>
 > Date:         Mon, 6 May 2002 14:40:12 -0700
 > Subject:      COURT:  MAPS Sues Former Employee and DUL Founder, Gordon 
Fecyk
 > To: SPAM-L at PEACH.EASE.LSOFT.COM
 >
 > I have been a strongly outspoken supporter of MAPS for many years.
 >
 > When I was at pacbell.net I nearly had a heart attack when Paul Vixie
 > called in 1997 to warn us that we were about to be listed in the MAPS RBL
 > for running unsecured mail servers.  But I supported his actions even
 > then.  Indeed, his call was very helpful in speeding up the bureaucracy at
 > pacbell.net and getting the unsecured mail servers closed to relaying even
 > more quickly.  I appreciated Paul's willingness to work with us on
 > resolving our problems.
 >
 > I wanted pacbell.net to use the MAPS RBL, but instead I was instructed by
 > management to compile my own list.  I felt my meager efforts could not
 > compare to the quality of the RBL made available by MAPS, but,
 > unfortunately, my own wishes were overruled.
 >
 > When Paul offered me the opportunity to become Executive Director of MAPS
 > in December 1998, it was an offer I simply could not refuse, and for the
 > next year and a half I was one of the leading cheerleaders for MAPS.
 >
 > Even though I left MAPS in August 1999, it was an amicable departure.  Soon
 > afterwards I was hired as Chief Privacy Officer for a company in the direct
 > marketing industry, and I still continued to defend MAPS against its many
 > critics in that industry.
 >
 > Last year I decided to write a book about the history of MAPS.  My intent
 > was to focus on the companies that sued MAPS and abused the legal system in
 > order to prevent MAPS from exercising its legitimate free speech rights.  I
 > wanted to portray Paul and Dave Rand as beleaguered but slightly flawed
 > heroes.
 >
 > However, my opinion of MAPS was forever changed this past April when it
 > decided to sue DUL founder, Gordon Fecyk, after Gordon attempted to
 > exercise a December 1998 contract he entered into with Paul Vixie in his
 > capacity as MAPS CEO.
 >
 > My overview of this matter, as well as copies of court documents filed in
 > the case, can be found at the following URL:
 >
 > http://www.lawsuitinfo.com
 >
 > It seems that MAPS has learned a great deal from the lawsuits brought
 > against it by Harris Interactive and others, and has adopted the same slimy
 > tactics.  In particular, the affidavits filed by Margie Arbon and Anne
 > Mitchell are full of factual errors and material misrepresentations.  I
 > will add my commentary on these affidavits at a later date.
 >
 > A hearing will be held in the Manitoba court tomorrow (5/7).  We will add
 > additional info as soon as possible.
 >
 > Gordon may have to sell his car in order to pay his not inconsequential
 > legal bills.  Is anyone interested in making a contribution to help Gordon
 > with his legal expenses?  If so, please send your contributions to Gordon's
 > attorneys at the following address:
 >
 > Cassidy Ramsay
 > 385 St. Mary Avenue, 2nd Floor
 > Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 0N1
 > CANADA
 >
 > Checks or money orders should be made out to Cassidy Ramsay
 >
 > Be sure to include a note with your contribution stating that it is on
 > behalf of Gordon Fecyk in the Mail Abuse Prevention System v. Fecyk case.
 >
 > All contributions will be placed in a trust fund by the law firm and used
 > solely to cover Gordon's legal expenses.
 >
 > Contributors will receive an acknowledgement from Cassidy Ramsay.  However,
 > all contributions are covered by attorney-client privilege, and thus the
 > identities of contributors will remain anonymous.  Information about
 > contributions *cannot* be obtained by MAPS through the discovery process.
 >
 > I cannot describe how much it saddens me that it has become necessary for
 > me to bring all of these disturbing facts to light, but I think it is
 > essential for the Internet community to be aware of what MAPS has
 > become.  MAPS is no longer devoting its energy to fighting spam and
 > co-operating with others in that fight, but instead is suing a former
 > employee who attempted to exercise his legitimate rights pursuant to a
 > contract with MAPS. I find it extremely ironic that an organization which
 > is currently soliciting donations to its own legal defense fund would now
 > be using its limited resources to pursue litigation against a former
 > employee.
 >
 > Regards,
 >
 > Nick

----- End forwarded message ----- 

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