The Aftermath of the Digg Revolt
What now?
May 03, 2007
May 01, 2007 was a history making day at Digg.com, but in my eyes, the revolution that was underway was misguided and immature. I very vocally made my decision to not be a part of it. I'm not going to bother recounting everything that happened, as you can pretty much find it anywhere on the web now.
By this point, I truly believed that rebels were aiming their blasters at the wrong Stormtroopers.
In some encouraging news though, Fred Von Lohmann, an attorney for the EFF, stated in an article at CBS that, "It's very unlikely that the AACS is going to sue Digg over this".
Having said all that, now that the dust has cleared, now that the mess has nearly been cleaned up, and now that my block list at Digg is overflowing, what now?
The clearest answer in my mind is to aim your blasters at the RIGHT Stormtroopers this time.
How can we do this?
1. Support the EFF
The Electronic Frontier Foundation is the pioneer in protecting YOUR rights with regards to all digital laws. While the entertainment industry is trying to enforce a 20th century business practice, these guys are the group trying to show them that 21st century actions require 21st century thinking. You can check out their support page here.
2. Contact your representatives:
The best way to continue your action is to contact your representative about how absurd the DMCA actually is. But be specific: the recent uproar was with regards to the illegalities of circumvention. Tell them that exceptions need to be added or work must be done to repeal the WIPO Copyright and Performances and Phonograms Treaties Implementation Act - Section 103. Oh, and for those who don't know who or how to contact these people, you can get your representatives contact information at this web site.
3. Contact the AACS-LA:
This is the organization behind the establishment of the anti-circumvention code; and also behind the push of sending the Cease and Desist declarations. You can contact them directly at:
AACS LA, LLC
c/o AACS Administration
3855 SW 153rd Drive
Beaverton, Oregon 97006
Tel.: 503-619-0863
Fax: 503-297-1090
Email: admin@aacsla.com
4. Contact the founders of the AACS-LA:
The founders are IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Panasonic, Sony, Toshiba, The Walt Disney Company, and Warner Brothers. Here are their contact details:
IBM Corporation
1 New Orchard Road
Armonk, New York 10504-1722
United States
Tel: 1-800-425-4968 E-mail form Employee Directory
Intel
2200 Mission College Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95054-1549
USA
Tel: (408) 765-8080 E-mail form
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052-6399
Tel: (800) 642-7676
Fax: (425) 936-7329 E-mail form
Panasonic Corporation of North America
One Panasonic Way
Secaucus, NJ 07094
Sony
550 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Toshiba International Corporation
13131 West Little York Road
Houston, TX 77041
Phone: 713-466-0277
Fax: 713-896-5240
Warner Bros.
4000 Warner Blvd.
Bldg. 505
Burbank, CA 91505
Tel: 818 977 0018
Fax: 818 977 5523
Email: legal@wb.com
5. Contact the sender of the takedown notices:
Charles Sims is the attorney who allegedly sent the Cease and Desist takedown notices to numerous websites.
Looks like a reasonable chap - I'm sure he wouldn't mind hearing from ALL OF YOU about how you feel regarding this issue. Here's his contact information:
Charles Sims
Proskauer Rose LLP
1585 Broadway
New York, NY 10036-8299
Email: csims@proskauer.com
Phone: 212 969 3950
6. & last, but not least, continue supporting Digg:
Place any "censorship" reservations you have to the side. If you can't, move on to another site, or make your own. If legal action does come knocking at Kevin Rose's door, he and the Digg team are going to need to loyal support of the Digg army. So post new topics about how you can help fight the war against DMCA; and keep spreading the word. If legal action comes to light, step up and financially support the cause - ESPECIALLY if you were a part of the riot. If it comes to litigation, you better put your money where your mouth is. I know I will. Can you?
Place any "censorship" reservations you have to the side. If you can't, move on to another site, or make your own. If legal action does come knocking at Kevin Rose's door, he and the Digg team are going to need to loyal support of the Digg army. So post new topics about how you can help fight the war against DMCA; and keep spreading the word. If legal action comes to light, 
