Month: September 2021

Kryptowährungen wollen ernst genommen werden, doch frei von Kuriositäten ist die Szene offenbar noch lange nicht. (Bitcoin, Elon Musk)

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Das vierte Fairphone sieht kaum aus wie ein modulares Smartphone - aber auch hier lassen sich wieder viele Bauteile leicht tauschen. Die Qualität ist so gut wie nie zuvor. Ein Test von Tobias Költzsch (Fairphone, Smartphone)

Verglichen mit dem Besuch einer britischen Tankstelle geht das Laden eines Elektroautos bisweilen deutlich schneller. Das spüren auch die Autohändler. (Elektroauto, Technologie)

In recent years, adult entertainment outfit Malibu Media has often been described as a copyright-trolling operation.

The company, known for its popular “X-Art” brand, has gone after thousands of alleged file-sharers in U.S. courts, collecting millions of dollars in settlements.

Not too long ago Malibu was one of the most active anti-piracy litigants in the U.S., but in recent years this activity ground to a halt. At the time of writing, only a handful of older cases remain active.

John Doe Fights Back

These remaining cases include one where the accused file-sharer went on the offense. The “John Doe” defendant filed a long list of counterclaims against Malibu Media, accusing the company of abuse of process, among other things.

An amended response to Malibu’s complaint, filed earlier this week, also sums up a list of defenses. Fifteen in total. These include misuse of copyright, fair use, unclean hands, and excessive damages.

“Plaintiff does not enforce its alleged copyrights to protect the market for its works or to further the useful arts and sciences,” John Doe writes, referring to the purpose of copyright as defined in the US Constitution.

“Rather, Plaintiff monetizes its alleged copyrights through coercive and needless litigation and by extracting settlements from that litigation disproportionate to the minimal value of Plaintiff’s works.”

Corporate Status (Still) Suspended

These defenses were also part of the original response that was filed months ago. What’s new, however, is that John Doe also argues that Malibu Media can’t be involved in a lawsuit, as its corporate status is suspended.

“Plaintiff lacks the capacity to sue. Specifically, Plaintiff is suspended in its state of incorporation, California. Under California law, a suspended corporation cannot maintain a lawsuit,” the defense writes.

This suspension over tax deficiencies came to the forefront a few months ago. In June, the court allowed Malibu to get their paperwork in order and get the suspension lifted within 30 days but, apparently, that didn’t happen.

At the time of writing, California’s Franchise Tax Board continues to list Malibu Media’s status as suspended.

More Suspensions

It’s not entirely clear what the issue is but Malibu’s CEO Colette Pelissier is no stranger to this type of problem. One of her other companies, Colette Productions, has been suspended in California over tax troubles since 2019. In addition, Colette Holdings and Colette Properties are suspended as well.

Previously, the John Doe defendant asked to freeze Malibu’s assets, so potential attorneys’ fees would be secured in case of a win. In addition, the defendant filed a request to add Malibu’s CEO to the lawsuit. Both of these requests failed.

With the amended answer the case will now move forward. And after spending more than two years in court, the accused file-sharer still hopes to come out of this with a victory.

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A copy of John Doe’s first amended answer and counterclaims, filed at a federal court in Texas, is available here (pdf)

From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.

Für seine Android-Apps sucht Facebook automatisiert nach Sicherheitslücken. Das Werkzeug dazu ist nun Open Source. (Facebook, Soziales Netz)

Mehrere Entwicklerstudios arbeiten nach eigenen Angaben an 4K-Spielen für eine unangekündigte Nintendo Switch Pro. (Nintendo Switch, OLED)

Linkspartei als parlamentarische Kraft fast k.o. gegangen. Ergebnis angesichts struktureller Probleme nicht überraschend. Im Osten verlieren die Sozialisten, im Westen sind sie nie richtig angekommen. Ein Gastbeitrag

Das Elektromotorrad Sol Pocket Rocket mit ungewöhnlich dickem Oberrohr fährt bis 80 km/h und kann ab sofort bestellt werden. (Elektromotorrad, Technologie)

Zusammen mit Windows 11 wird auch die beliebte App Paint optisch überarbeitet. Das Malprogramm sollte nun übersichtlicher sein. (Windows, Windows 10)