How one guy with a 20yo telephone did $30m in damages in less than one night.

Re:How one guy with a 20yo telephone did $30m in damages in ... by rglullis on Monday February 09, 2009 @06:38PM (#474391)

Given it is 2001 and not so much broadband adoption, I'd find it easier to believe if it was some script-kiddie who found a way to play with a modem and DTMF signal generation.

Also, as already pointed out, this does not seem to be a big company at all. In a world where even a idiot can start a company, you will eventually end up with companies run by idiots.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How one guy with a 20yo telephone did $30m in damages in ... by nebula on Monday February 09, 2009 @11:05PM (#474671)

"In a world where even a idiot can start a company, you will eventually end up with companies run by idiots."

Given that market forces determine which companies survive, if we eventually end up with companies run by idiots, it tells something about the rest of us too.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How one guy with a 20yo telephone did $30m in damages in ... by ConradHex on Tuesday February 10, 2009 @10:53AM (#475297)

Note that the company didn't survive, in part due to this episode.

Also, taking big risks can be very profitable... for a while. It sounds like they were running seat of the pants, and it caught up with them.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How one guy with a 20yo telephone did $30m in damages in ... by jakewolf on Monday February 09, 2009 @11:17PM (#474685)

I know a stupid idiot who bought some equipment, illegally stuck it in some country and is reselling minutes through someone and making money somewhere along the way. Some screw up and he could be in the same boat. But you'd think companies would limit the credit they extend to others...something isn't quite right with that story.

[ Parent | on HN ]