Tobias summarizes a topic very well. :)

[netmouse]

If anyone interested in the SFWA DMCA abuse story has not read Tobias Buckell's summary, with quotes from many people including a Coda from the SFWA president, I recommend you do.

(Long story short: SFWA used a DMCA-based request to pull copywrited material from document sharing site Scribd; their list was flawed, and the site pulled material from authors SFWA was not authorized to represent -- material the authors actually wanted to have up there. Many authors railed about the abuse of authority and posted more public material just to demo that it's all right (a win for the public, IMHO). SFWA promises it will not happen again.)

ETA: Steven Silver points to what he says is an even better write-up on Scalzi's blog

Comments

[the-leewit.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'd wondered about this. Although I am kind of fuzzy (kick in Strattera, it's hard enough dealing with the migraines and depression without the ADD semiconsciousness) about how it happened. Did someone read an ill-considered how-to article on copyrightnazis.biz? Did someone accidentally page down twice and skip the "now go over your list and make sure it's not flawed" step? Did someone promise to write the code for finding copyright violators and get a pre-release of Halo 3, leading to someting being slapped together at the last minute and not be checked for having "left the sponge in"? Even if you don't think that the fellahin over at the SFWA are terribly smart, you'd think that there is at least a vestige of competence and high IQ's there.)

Btw, the way copyright has been explained to me, it is my understanding that, yes, technically, it is a violation of copyright to mention a thing's title unless you are reviewing it (including "Yes, we have Passion's Reckless Flame in stock, sir. Would you like me to set it aside for you under an assumed name?"), quote it in your sig line, or have its cover in the background when you are posing for a photograph that you are showing publicly. This suggests to me that either we need less repellent 'splainers, because the way the law is being explained, stupid people like me can't understand them and think the above is the case, or laws that are reasonable. Has John done an article on the same?

[atdt1991.livejournal.com]

I assume, looking at the link, that SFWA stands for Science Fiction Writer's Association?

[shsilver.livejournal.com]

Having followed the thing in the private areas of SFF.net, I think John Scalzi has a better, more unbiased, write-up of the situation on his blog.

[shsilver.livejournal.com]

Also, the SFWA Board has voted to disband the E-Piracy Committee and create an exploratory committee to examine what the membership's stand on e-piracy and SFWA's role should be in the future.

There has already been a lot of behind the scenes discussion (generating much heat, and some light), even before Capo issued his response.