12/01/2007

Blindspot: Fred Goldman Sues The Pirate Bay

On Thursday, in a Los Angeles County Superior Court, Fred Goldman sued The Pirate Bay for making If I Did It available for free on its website.

Yes, that Fred Goldman. Yes, that Pirate Bay.

Fred, Fred, Fred. Not only does a California court not have this kind of jurisdiction, but The Pirate Bay isn't new to the game. Listen. Listen closely, now. Can't you hear those Swedes snickering over there, I know I can.

For our reading enjoyment, The Pirate Bay routinely posts its responses to these sorts of actions, taking obvious great pleasure in replying to the likes of Apple, Microsoft, DreamWorks, SEGA, Warner Brothers, etc. They are particularly fond of referencing "retractable batons" ....

You've filed a lawsuit that you can't win, Fred, and you've not only given TPB free advertising thru the media coverage of your lawsuit (they've got free books online, too!) but you've made your critics aware that your profits from the book include advertising dollars in the hundreds of thousands.

Fred, Fred, Fred.