Posted by Wayne Parham [ 66.139.38.192 ] on September 17, 2005 at 06:28:29:

In Reply to: I'm so burnt... posted by MQracing on September 16, 2005 at 15:09:00:

I'm not sure I'd classify the Dungeon as "interesting." Entertaining, maybe. This is where we voice complaints, act like kids, throw temper tantrums, whatever. Sometimes we get into meaningful discussions here, but it is really just a place to poke, prod and argue. A little more high-brow non-audio discussions take place in the Tower.

The deal with the search engines and selling trademarks really sucks. It is an illegal practice, in my opinion, but just like with any other new technology, the understanding in the Courts and Congress lags behind. They aren't technical people and so don't understand the ramifications and potential ramifications of new technologies. So for now, you can buy keywords for ElectraPrint, Hammond, Plitron, Sowter and all your other competitors. Or anyone else can buy them and grab Peerless and Magnequest while they're at it. All you could do would be to buy those keywords too, maybe pay more for them so you could get listed higher. Trademarks are up for auction to the highest bidder on the search engines.

If you're really concerned with ethics and intellectual property, I think it would be good of you to speak to your messageboard host. If he doesn't see it your way, you'll have an ethical dilemma. Do you stick to your principles or do you leave? For me, the answer was clear. I can't see supporting an organization that has fundamentally different principles, it's hypocracy. It would be like saying I was all American, believing in free trade while being a card carrying communist, supporting them every month to get a government apartment and a welfare check.

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