News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:Netflix refuses CRTC demand to hand over subscriber data by rtpg on Tuesday September 23, 2014 @10:20PM (#8359573)
It's not the idea of an open internet that he's alluding to, it's the idea of a place that goes beyond the laws of the land.

The obvious big ones are Uber and Airbnb, but then we get into things like amazon and sales tax.

And then there are companies like Aero , who construct elaborate legal fictions (having a million different antennas does not change much if your service is functionally equivalent to any VOD service by cable companies).

Re:Netflix refuses CRTC demand to hand over subscriber data by caf on Tuesday September 23, 2014 @11:34PM (#8359798)
Aero's setup isn't a legal fiction, it's the exact opposite - they really do rent out a different individual antenna to each user.

A legal fiction is a legal story that doesn't actually match the literal facts.

Re:Netflix refuses CRTC demand to hand over subscriber data by rtpg on Wednesday September 24, 2014 @01:54AM (#8360101)
Their legal fiction was that somehow that their "service" was renting out DVRs in their space, whereas if you looked at any of their copy or how they were positioned in the market, they were a VOD service.

There argument is a legal fiction in that it doesn't match the service actually being advertised and offered. The implementation doesn't matter, because the end result is rebroadcasting material to members of the public.

Re:Netflix refuses CRTC demand to hand over subscriber data by godzilla82 on Tuesday September 23, 2014 @11:13PM (#8359716)
Oh. The laws of the land! Dont use phrases like that as if they are some sacred scriptures from god. They were put together by a committee. Grow up. Do what is in your best interest and the laws of the land will be forced to change to the best interests of the people.
Re:Netflix refuses CRTC demand to hand over subscriber data by rtpg on Wednesday September 24, 2014 @01:18AM (#8360034)
I agree that there are regulations that shouldn't exist. But I like sales taxes as a mechanism for paying for public services. I don't dislike anti-subletting regulations (I really don't want to live next to a hotel).

Sometimes regulations are there because of an experiment we already tried, and no amount of iPhone app magic will change human nature on certain points.

Re:Netflix refuses CRTC demand to hand over subscriber data by srcmap on Wednesday September 24, 2014 @12:16AM (#8359896)
Agree, it is just simply the big government v.s. Big corporations.

When the new company is small, everyone love it. Once it get big and more powerful, government will like to have more control over it and get/use/blackmail some of the power. It is power struggle.