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Tuesday, July 25th, 2006Tuesday, July 25th, 2006

Wired Magazine Article

by Shawn @ 1:50 pm · filed under Movies, MPAA

Okay, okay... I've had the issue for a couple days now, and I was a bit torn if I was going to post anything about it on my blog or not. I didn't like a few things about it... For one thing, I'm not a "hero" (I'm a pretty normal guy), but they titled the article Shawn Hogan, Hero. Anyway, today it seems everyone knows because I've been bombed with emails, phone calls, etc. about it. People have scanned the article and posted it around and it also made the front page of Slashdot today.

So I guess at this point the world knows about it, so if you want to read it, here it is...

http://wired.com/wired/archive/14.08/start.html?pg=3

P.S. - it was kind of funny to see my mug shot in Wired Magazine's table of contents (in the August print edition).

UpdateJust saw someone dugg the Wired article and it made the front page of digg.com too.

Update #2I've been getting bombed with requests from people to donate. If anyone really wants to donate, take that money and donate to the EFF instead.

126 Responses to “Wired Magazine Article”

  1. Pete Lee Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 2:03 pm

    You say that you don’t want to be called a hero–and I respect that.

    I find less inspiration from heros, and more from the ordinary person who decides to do something extraordinary.

    That’s something to respect.

  2. EV Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 2:25 pm

    We all love you.

  3. Ross Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 2:28 pm

    Hero/not Hero I don’t care - I think you ROCK! Have you set up a defence fund yet? I’ll send you some $$ to help with the legal fund. I don’t care if you can afford the $100,000 or not - I just want to help in the fight against the evil MPAA!!!!!

    Go Shawn Hogan, GO!!!!!!

  4. David Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 2:29 pm

    Mr. Hogan-

    I was one of the masses who read the article about your willingness to take the MPAA to trial. I would hope that you would defend yourself against being labled a hero, as it says a lot about your character, but do believe that people see you that way. Myself included.

    You obviously have resources available to you that others do not, and I am pleased to see that you are using them to make a statement that has thusfar fallen on deaf ears–namely that the judicial system ishould not be a tool for extortion of citizens by monolithic corporations.

    A few years ago I was caught up in a dragnet run by DirecTV. I purchased some equipment from an online retailer that could be used for hacking DirecTV’s signal, and once they had my name I was threatened with court action. Their demands were simple–pay them $2500 or defend myself in court.

    The lawyer with whom I consulted said he would not take the case for any less than $5000 up front. At the time, I was unemployed and already on the verge of selling my house. Eventually we “settled” on $2200.

    I wanted desperately to take them to task. I still do. When I watched as the MPAA and RIAA started using the same tactic in their “war on piracy”, I was sure that someone somewhere would step up and help the little guys out. I’ve heard almost nothing about anyone doing so. I’ve heard of even fewer successes.

    So you may not be a hero in the sense of saving someone from a burning building, but know that your actions are appreciated almost as much as someone who did.

    Thank you.

    David

  5. Michael Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 2:32 pm

    I agree, what you are doing is good. Please keep it up, it gives me hope that eventually things may change.

  6. Attack Gypsy Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 2:45 pm

    Hey Shawn, the wire article got Slashdotted. So expect a hit jump.

    It will probably be Dugg’ed too.

  7. deeps Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 2:56 pm

    hogan, im glad you took a fight up against those weenie morons. show how messy their butts are and i will help you with ‘atleast’ $10 (i hope it says a lot for a for a poor student !). those mpaa idiots are starting to cross the lines ….

  8. robinq Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:02 pm

    I will spare you the embarassment and let you just imagine the things you know I would love to say here. BUT I will say that your are and always have been amazing. OKOKOKOKOK…outahere!

  9. jsd Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:03 pm

    Kick some ass. We’re all behind you.

  10. Brian Gunderson Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:04 pm

    Thank you.

  11. Davis Freeberg Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:08 pm

    You are so freaking cool. Thank you for standing up for those of us who don’t have access to the same resources. I hope you mop the floor with those mobsters.

  12. Pilot Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:09 pm

    All I can say is…

    Thank you.

  13. Siggi Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:10 pm

    Just saw this on Digg.
    Go kick some ass! :D

  14. Mark Miller Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:11 pm

    You Rock! Thanks for standing up to the man.

    I think an even better way to take a stand is to put together a non-profit orginization to fight these legal battles. Were people like me who can’t afford hundreds of thousands of dollors can give a hundred bucks and it can be pooled with other people who can give smaller amounts. An who knows maybe we can even find layers to help fight at discount rates or even volunteer their time.

    one thing is for shure this country needs copyright reform.

  15. Bill Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:15 pm

    Go get ‘em Shawn.

    It’s about time, the roles were reveresed.

    Keep us posted.

  16. Shawn Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:15 pm

    Already been tossing around the idea of putting together a self-help site so people have the resources to defend themselves (for example auto-generate court filings needed, etc.) Not sure if I have the time to do it quite yet, but it’s one of the zillion ideas that have been rolling around in the back of my mind lately.

  17. Rickie Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:16 pm

    Shawn,

    Just wanted to drop a line thanking you as well. Fight the good fight.

    - Rickie

  18. Shane Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:17 pm

    You Rock!

  19. Robert Rittenhouse Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:20 pm

    Amen. Thank you and yes you do rock! :) Ive been following your blog for quite some time now and I look forward to either a random email, an update on the house, or something on this MPAA case. Great job and you know we are all on your side!

  20. Osi Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:24 pm

    Rock on. You’re like the big guy who takes on the bully that’s been picking on everyone at school.

  21. Keith Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:25 pm

    Go get em! (and by get em I mean righteously defend yourself)

  22. Dustin Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:26 pm

    Bout’ time someone told the MPAA where to shove it. I hope you & your lawyers wipe the floor with them and send them back to the rock they crawled out from under. ^_^

    Like it or not, you’re a hero to most of us. You have the money to pwn those fools. Succeed Shawn, for all of us.

    -Dustin

  23. Dan Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:28 pm

    Awesome! Keep us updated.

  24. Megan Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:29 pm

    Thank you so much for standing up!! I’m sure many people want to, but don’t have the financial means to do so or are too intimidated. Best wishes!

  25. John Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:30 pm

    KICK THEIR ASS, PLEASE!
    you so do rock!

  26. virtualadrian Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:31 pm

    “WE ARE NOT WORTHY ! WE ARE NOT WORTHY ! “

    I hope you trash those bastards in court and some legal precedent is set for such cases, these mafia-men cannot continue to get away with these gang-land practices.

    PS: If there is a jury they’re toast, the bastards have gotten so much bad press I would find it hard to believe anyone would pass judgement in their favor.

  27. Anthony Hamilton-Thompson Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:31 pm

    I just want to wish you good luck with the fight against MPAA, i must say they are just as much of a joke as the RIAA, both of them need a good slap for picking on people and completely abusing the legal system against them too.

    Good luck and i hope you kick their ass! :)

  28. John Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:34 pm

    In the future, any one of us could be victim to these same tactics. Glad you’re standing up for all those people now.

  29. Adoniram Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:35 pm

    Dear Shawn Hogan,

    Thank you so much for fighting for the rights of the consumer. If the MP/RI AA had their way, I am quite sure countless consumer rights would be eroded to nonexistence. As an independent media creator and student of media law, I want you to know that I am in your corner and many, many others like myself are too.

    The MP/RI AA aren’t loathsome for their frivolous lawsuits alone, but also for the fact that their business practices have resulted in stagnation and homogeny in the media world.

    Thank you again.

  30. (un)cooldude Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:41 pm

    I’ll be following this case with interest to see where it all ends up. These organizations have backed down in the past and dismissed their suits when the come up against people willing and able to defend themselves.

    Honestly, the whole idea that someone who could sink ‘Millions’ to defend themselves against an accusation of illegally downloading a movies is quite ludicrous. It makes me wonder if anyone on their legal advisory team uses a brain.

    Regardless, to anyone saying they’d donate money to aid in this fight, why not donate that money to an organization that would help people accused of these alleged offenses that DON’T have the means to defend themselves? I think that would be a far wiser investment.

    Mr. Hogan, I wish you the best of luck in this case, and I hope that this will proceed to the point where the tactics used by these organizations in their witch hunts will finally be exposed to the public at large. Somehow though, I have this feeling that once the publicity dies down, they’ll be looking for a way to back out of this one…

  31. Anon Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:41 pm

    You should countersue for extortion or whatever your lawyer thinks you can win at, and donate the proceeds to a foundation that defends people in cases identical to yours. If you can get enough in damages, that foundation might be able to turn the tide and stop this practice.

  32. ViciousSummer Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:46 pm

    Yeah, super cheesy title…hehe. You’re not a “hero” yet, just some schmo that the MPAA thought they could extort money out of. ;)

  33. Hank Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:47 pm

    YOU my friend, are the MAN! I hope you get the outcome you’re after. Thanks for having the balls to stand up to these punks. And yes…standing up for whats right when other people can’t or won’t does qualify you as a hero, enjoy it.

  34. Jeremy Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:48 pm

    You’ve got supporters all over the world, go get’em man!!! I’m routing for ya from the deserts of AZ.

  35. p0wd3r Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:49 pm

    While you are at it, ask them how they got the US Gub’ment to offer sanctions to Sweden if they don’t comply with MPAA requests… Last I checked, MPAA didn’t stand for Motion Picture Association of PLANET EARTH! Even so, if they’re going to act like a Gub’ment organization, I want the right to vote in who is in charge…

    In short, thanks a lot! I’ll support you in spirit cuz that’s all I can give. Thanks!

  36. Shawn Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:50 pm

    Funny you should mention that, I was *just* reading that. :)

    http://p2pnet.net/story/9431

  37. MikeT Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:51 pm

    Hey Shawn, good work man. Let me know if I can help.

    How is your sister BTW?

    MikeT

  38. Explodicle Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:53 pm

    Thanks for standing up for our rights! Give ‘em what they have coming!

  39. Michael T. Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:55 pm

    Just another person here who is glad to see somebody standing up to fight what is clearly an abuse of the system. I’d be happy to throw whatever money I could afford towards furthering the case should you need it, whether it is fighting the case against you, or launching a new case once (as I fully expect) they drop this one…

    You’ve got my email - please, let me know if you accept donations at any point in the future.

  40. Shawn Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:55 pm

    Mike - sis’ is good, you can find her over here (if you didn’t know already):

    http://www.viciousenterprises.com/summersblog/

  41. Darth Poo Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:57 pm

    Go get ‘em tiger. They can’t just extort money out of people and expect to get away with it. I guess they don’t know what “Wi-Fi” or “Dynamic IP” means. Thanks for taking a stand.

  42. Ben Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 3:59 pm

    Just read about you on Digg and I wanted to say thanks. Seriously, thanks. From the bottom of my heart. You’re standing up and doing what’s right, and I don’t know if that makes you a hero, but it’s less common than it should be. Anyway, we’re all behind you, and if there’s anything we can do to help just say (type?) the word.

  43. Flamekebab Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 4:00 pm

    It’s good to see someone sticking up to those bastards for once. I don’t agree with piracy for the most part, but I definitely don’t agree with the tactics used by the MPAA!

  44. rootbat Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 4:16 pm

    thank you.

  45. John Dorn Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 4:22 pm

    What can be said that hasn’t already? Thanks, dude.

  46. JustPassinThru Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 4:23 pm

    Just read this on digg. Like everyone else here, I wish you success against those MPAA wankers. All the best!

  47. greg Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 4:29 pm

    Good luck. legal battles can be a pain in the ass, and I hope that you don’t wind up regretting your decision in the future.

  48. Declan Naughton Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 4:35 pm

    You rock.

  49. Dan Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 4:37 pm

    You’re actions are of course cool, but exactly what I would expect from the technorati. So the question is — when will we start dominating politics? Of course I’m signed up for http://www.freestateproject.org/, but I’m hoping that someday people like you (or me if I can get off my lazy ass) will start running for office.

    $50 for the EFF in your name.

  50. Mark Winckle Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 4:40 pm

    Just wanted to add my voice Shawn, good luck.

  51. djrtitan Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 4:52 pm

    Hey Shawn,

    Good luck with the trial man. I know you don’t consider yourself a hero but to the rest of us “normal guys” just the simple fact that someone is finally taking a stand against the MPAA tactics is a good enough reason to warrant the title “Shawn Hogan, Hero”. It’s just a shame that one has to spend so much money in order to fight the MPAA.

  52. Paul Stamatiou Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 4:53 pm

    You rock, again.

  53. Daniel Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 4:56 pm

    Oh but you ARE a hero! Thank- You!

  54. David Briley Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 4:59 pm

    Kick ass, dude. I hope new friends come out of the woodwork to help you out with this. You’re fighting the good fight, so strike a blow for everyone who can’t fight back. We’re all behind you on this one.

  55. Jason Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 5:00 pm

    Good luck Shawn! We are all rooting for you! Finally someone stands up to these guys!

  56. James Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 5:01 pm

    I know a lawyer who supports your cause and will work for free. Give me a call.

  57. Kosta Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 5:03 pm

    Its ok to be a hero and not be called one :)
    Good stuff! It must feel great to know that everybody is behind you on this… I wish you all the success in your case. (Kosta, Oz)

  58. Rochester New York Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 5:05 pm

    You Rock….I THANK GOD WE HAVE YOU! My prayers and good thoughts are going to you!

  59. Donny Bahama Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 5:27 pm

    Thanks, Shawn, for being willing to spend hard earned cash fighting for a principle. The precedent your case may set could provide relief to many others who stand unjustly accused.

  60. Nizam Rahman Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 5:40 pm

    Just read the article linked on digg.com. The awesomeness of what you are doing baffles me to an unbelievable level.

  61. Jason Hill Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 5:47 pm

    You have all my support. We cannot stand by while the basic freedoms we hold so dear are being eroded. I am glad you have decided to defend yourself. Thank you.

  62. Connecticut, USA Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 5:56 pm

    One good programmer (with money) can stand up to injustice and system abuse by RIAA, MPAA and the kind. These organizations are killing innovation and progress by holding onto dead business practices. I would compare your plea as a first step towards Digital Abolition. Digital slavery is something very shameful that exists in the society today and is being abused by RIAA and MPAA. Please, fight it, your fight is just.

  63. Kansas Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 6:05 pm

    Up until now they’ve bullied people who can’t defend themselves. Maybe now they’ve picked on someone their own size. I wish you good luck. You have many people backing your cause.

  64. b0wl0fud0n Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 6:25 pm

    You should set up a site for donations for the legal fees. I’ve always wanted to donate cash to legal actions to stop the RIAA and I’m sure that many others have as well.

  65. MyNuts Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 7:05 pm

    Good luck man, you’ve got my support!

  66. Andrew Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 7:24 pm

    Shawn,

    I support you 100%! If you need any help dude just let us know

    Your *new* pal,

    Andrew ^^

  67. Adam Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 7:48 pm

    Thank you for standing up for yourself. Great to see. We’re behind you.

    I’d even donate to a legal fund for you.

  68. taepodong Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 8:32 pm

    Thank you, you are an inspiration!

    One more reason to make millions… so I can stand up to a-holes like the MPAA just like you.

  69. rosicrux Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 10:05 pm

    resolve, I like it. People everywhere will be following your progress closely. There’s a lot of hope in all these comments.

  70. James Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 10:09 pm

    Glad to hear someone is going to stand up for their rights instead of being forced to settle because they don’t have the knowledge and resources to defend themselves.

    The thing that I find very interesting about all of these cases is that they are all based on an individuals IP address. What if I am using a wireless router and have not set up proper security precautions like a lot of people? I can’t tell you how many people I’ve talked to that hook up their wireless router straight out of the box and don’t bother to log in and change the user/pass. Now, any one of their neighbors can latch on to their connection and download whatever they want. Who get’s blamed for that? The person that owns the IP address inside the router. The only thing the outside world sees is a request from a single IP address. There could be 5 people using the wireless network, yet, all of the requests go out under the same IP. Once they come back to the router, it decides what information goes to which computer. That’s my understanding of the process.

    The best analogy I can think of is someone stealing your car, commiting a crime, and putting your car back exactly where you found it before you noticed. The next day, the police arrest you for the crime because one person got the license plate number of your car. They don’t care if it was actually YOU in the car. They have your license plate number, how could it be anyone else? I just don’t get it.

    Good luck man, fight the good fight.

  71. Denmark Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 10:14 pm

    Rooting for you too from over here.

    \m/ >.

  72. virtualadrian Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 10:24 pm

    How dare you take on the first GALACTIC EMPIRE!?!? Do you even know the power of the MPAA side?

    Shawn! You are our only hope! Bring ballance back to the force!

  73. Andrew Johnson Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 11:08 pm

    What really impresses me is how casual of an approach you seem to be taking to this. Talk about bad luck for them. Seeing how well you’ve done with DP I think that its the MPAA lawyers who are going to end up getting fired should be shaking in their boots right now ;)

  74. stoMPAA Says:
    July 25th, 2006 at 11:52 pm

    Given the increasingly high profile of your case, I hope several excellent sources of legal counsel compete for the
    chance to represent you.
    If not, consider giving this fellow a call:
    http://www.spertuslaw.com/attorney_profile.php
    I imagine he’d love the chance to stick it to his former
    employer.

  75. Shawn Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 12:06 am

    Andrew - getting all wound up about something so trivial doesn’t serve much of a purpose as far as I’m concerned. To me, it’s less about winning or losing the case and more about educating people (myself included) on things.

    If nothing else, it certainly will be interesting. :)

  76. Helen T. Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 12:22 am

    Shawn,

    If you start a website documenting everything they do, that’ll be helpful to everyone next on their list.

    Chillingeffects.org is one site like that.

    A few years ago a patent troll went after tiny businesses: sueing them and then offering to settle. No tiny company could afford the fight. Once they found each other and banded together, they stopped the guy. Their website was youmaybenext.com: it doesn’t exist anymore, but it still is in the internet archive.

  77. Rebecca Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 1:19 am

    Shawn - Looking at that picture they took of you - It is hard to believe you broke your chair last week. Looking Good.. Looking Good

  78. nae Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 4:59 am

    Thanks for taking on this fight to bring some much-needed visibility and equity to this situation!

  79. Hugi Asgeirsson Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 5:45 am

    Best news I’ve heard all week, that you will stand up and fight this. Good luck from Sweden!

    Dan, taking the technorati to controlling positions is exactly what we are trying to do in sweden, with the Pirate Party. Look past the name, in sweden “pirate” has almost turned to become an alltogether positive term.

    We have a good chance of getting into the parliament in the upcoming elections, as we have gained a great following and spawned a new debate on copyright and filesharing in the Swedish media. Parties like ours have been formed in a handfull of European contries in the last months, and if we in fact get in to parliament, it will probably echo around Europe. To actually get in, we need more than 4% in total - aprox 200 000 votes.

    Check us out: http://www2.piratpartiet.se/international/english

  80. Marty Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 5:45 am

    Lets hope the MPAA bit off more than they can chew this time. Its about time someone took a stand against them on a legal level.

  81. Reis Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 6:27 am

    Firstly, good luck on the legal defence Shawn, hope it all goes well.

    Secondly, slightly off topic but on the same sort of theme, people having legal action (or are interested in this sort of thing) taken against them might want to check out the RIAA vs The People blog ( http://recordingindustryvspeople.blogspot.com/ ) which has a wealth of information regarding the same sort of tactics that the RIAA are using against people who have been alleged filesharers.

    Thirdly, just saw your pic from wired on your sisters blog and i gotta agree with Rebecca, hard to believe you broke that chair, haha! Good work :D

  82. KokoZ Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 6:31 am

    good luck man
    it’s necessary to teach them a lesson, but there was no one bold enough to do it so far

    let’s hope it will change something

  83. Megain Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 6:45 am

    oh yeah, you just got farked too

    http://forums.fark.com/cgi/fark/comments.pl?IDLink=2192503&ok=1

  84. Johan Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 7:31 am

    FYI: Besides Slashdotted and Dugg, now also Farked

    http://forums.fark.com/cgi/fark/comments.pl?IDLink=2192503

  85. Greg Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 7:34 am

    Finally someone with the means, and heart, to fight these gangsters and win one for the greater good.

    Do I advocate illegally downloading warez/movies? No… However, the methods these orginizations are using, are outright wrong!!!

    Good luck Shawn!

  86. Stephanie Rose Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 7:38 am

    I don’t know - you’re certainly my hero. Enough that I googled you to find out if there was a way to contact you and tell you how awesome you are for doing what you are doing.

    MPAA and RIAA are abusing the legal system, and are using scare tactics as a form of HARASSMENT. Most companies would never harass their customers the way both organizations do. It’s obscene.

    So thank you. And you’re my hero. :)

  87. Michael Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 8:14 am

    Thank you and good luck.

  88. Adam Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 8:16 am

    Your the man!!!! Best of luck!!!!

  89. omanaman Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 8:20 am

    Hey Shawn,
    Thanks for joining the fight against the RIAA.

    I think it’s important to fight them in court, but I think the best way to fight the RIAA is through the consumer. At this point the RIAA is just a middleman… using current technologies and the internet, we can now make a direct connection between the listener and the artist, no longer requiring a label to distribute the music.

    I have recently designed software that would revolutionize the music industry. Its takes all the best elements from Youtube, Itunes, Myspace, and American Idol combines them into the ultimate tool for buying, selling & sharing music over the internet. Unfortunately my business partner fell through on the funding for development and I have months of work sitting idly on my mac that I’m not ready to give up on.

    After reading about you, you seem to be the perfect person to bring this idea to life. You have both the mission and the resources to make it happen. You also have the medias attention, which is more valuable than any marketing that we could do…

    Lets not just fight the RIAA, lets take them down!
    Contact me if you are interested.

  90. Patrick Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 8:22 am

    Sir, you have my respect.

  91. JnP Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 8:22 am

    Thank you.

  92. Alberto Tribaldo Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 8:41 am

    Thanks from Spain, here we have a similar problem with the homonymous asotiation in spain. But here the goverment is in the side of the “authors”.

    Thanks again.

  93. Dean Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 9:06 am

    Shawn, thanks for fighting the good fight. I just hope the MPAA doesn’t drop the case now that you’re getting publicity. I hope you kick their asses.

  94. Landon Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 10:55 am

    Great thing you’re doing… I probably can’t say much more than these 80 other comments, but hopefully you will make it so John Q Public can go out when he gets the letter and claim precedence!

  95. MultiSync Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 11:02 am

    Having the same kind of lawsuit staring back into my face not that long ago and being forced to settle, you are a breath of fresh air. You don’t know how bad i wanted to fight this, but lost wages, time and the lack of resources to even start out with are what made me settle. With any hope you’ll make a difference in how these frivolous **aa lawsuits are played out from now on.

  96. mermadon Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 11:10 am

    animo compañero, desde españa (spain) estamos contigo en tu lucha contra las tecnicas mafiosas de extorsión de la MPAA y RIAA. A ver si les paras los pies y la sentencia sienta un precedente ejemplar.
    saludos

  97. Traci Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 11:10 am

    I am being sued by Warner Bros. for allegedly downloading “Bewitched” (ick). I didn’t, my husband didn’t, the kids, the dogs, nobody! We had the forensics done on our computers and there is no evidence of that movie ANYWHERE! Yet, I have to pay THEM and my lawyer fees or else it will cost me plenty more to fight them. I feel like I’ve been you know what up the you know what. How is it possible when all the evidence proves your innocence, the innocent still pays the big bad wolf??? what the hell?? I am so angry right now and just need to vent EVERYWHERE I CAN!!!!

  98. Kackreiz Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 11:20 am

    Its quite nice, to know ure fighting against this robbers.
    i hope your become your right.

    nice regards from good old germany :)

    stay care

  99. Michael Chermside Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 11:21 am

    I just wanted to say: Thank You. It is too bad that our legal system is so difficult to navigate for those who do not have enough money to afford complex and lengthy legal proceedings, but given that it is so, we appreciate your effort to do the right thing.

  100. Paul Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 11:23 am

    Shawn for President!

  101. PreZ Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 11:39 am

    Fight em for me HERO!!

  102. Joe Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 12:38 pm

    So your servers held up this time? I’m suprised Wordpress can handle all this traffic.

  103. Mark Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 12:48 pm

    woo! Shawn Hogan, you rock out with your c**k out…

  104. Francis Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 1:01 pm

    Hero or not, you have certainly become a semi-celebrity. I believe you have enough character to handle that status.
    You will certainly be in the spotlight for a time, and once more when the legal proceedings start.
    This being a personnal blog and all I wish you the best, at the personnal leve, as being a “public figure” can have its unexpected tolls on the psyche and on one’s personnal life. As I alerady stated I do believe you have the character required to make the best of this for yourself and those you love.

    Be strong, be true to yourself, stay PROUD.
    Do the right thing.

    regards,
    Francis

  105. Lane Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 1:16 pm

    I think its safe to say your website will be garnering a few more hits a month now as this case progresses through court.

    Thanks to you though there is hope to stopping this rampaging bull.

  106. Dave Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 1:26 pm

    Glad to read about this and I wish you luck. The average individual can’t really stand up to the MPAA/RIAA’s extortion tactics and it’s good to see someone will try to bring more media coverage onto this topic.

  107. SmallOne Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 1:32 pm

    Thanks Man! I wish you the best of luck and the best of fights. Win one for the little guys

  108. Dustin Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 1:33 pm

    Shawn,

    How bout’ some server details for the last two days? How much traffic thus far?

  109. Andrew Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 1:37 pm

    Like everyone else I’m writing to say thank you. Whatever you have to do, do let them back out of this by simply dropping the case further on down the road. File counterclaims, countersue, whatever, but get a judgement on their tactics!

    Thanks again for standing up for this.

  110. Airsaints Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 1:47 pm

    Shawn,

    You are the coolest dude alive!! Optigold tells me so and your recent stance confirms this!!

  111. Jeff Kalman Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 2:21 pm

    Shawn,

    Fight the good fight! Good luck, whether you realize it or not, and whether you intend it or not, you are defending every person ever accused of this who didn’t do anything wrong but couldn’t afford to defend themselves in a court of law. You have my respect.

  112. timonoj Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 2:25 pm

    Well, i’ve just read an article explaining the things and i’ve got linked here. Thanks a lot for what you’re doing. As all the rest, i agree with the points you’ve made. It’s quite annoying the way MPAA (and many others all around the world) operate. I hope you give them what they deserve…
    Again, thanks. timonoj, from spain :)

  113. Jaron Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 2:48 pm

    I live in San Diego. But, in regards to you standing up to the MPAA… if I ever happen to see you in a bar then I’ll offer to buy you a round.

  114. Rogue Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 3:28 pm

    Go for it. Good luck. What are they going to do next- sue us for downloading abandonware?

  115. Matte Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 3:43 pm

    Thank you and good luck for your battle :)

  116. Jon L. Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 4:31 pm

    Thanks.

    I would gladly donate a few bucks to help. Piracy’s bad and all…but the MPAA’s tactics are absurd.

  117. saadahmed007 Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 4:57 pm

    Shawn Good Luck I am sure you will win.
    Thanks,
    -Saad Ahmed.

  118. KDLion Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 6:09 pm

    you me hero. only win one.

  119. Ricardo Del Rio Says:
    July 26th, 2006 at 11:25 pm

    Hi. From Caracas Venezuela, my words are representantive from thousands of citizens who are with you, beside you, giving our support because you are making real the mission of digital democracy.

  120. Javier M Says:
    July 27th, 2006 at 1:07 am

    Vamos Shawn!!!! Good luck and well done from Spain!!! Lucha por los derechos de todos los que nos sentimos abusados… Thank you Shawn and keep it up!!

  121. Javier Carro Says:
    July 27th, 2006 at 4:50 am

    First they came…

    When the Nazis came for the communists,
    I remained silent;
    I was not a communist.

    When they locked up the social democrats,
    I remained silent;
    I was not a social democrat.

    When they came for the trade unionists,
    I did not speak out;
    I was not a trade unionist.

    When they came for the Jews,
    I did not speak out;
    I was not a Jew.

    When they came for me,
    there was no one left to speak out.

    by Pastor Martin Niemöller or Bertolt Brecht
    (the origin is not clear)

  122. Hogan’s Not a Hero . . . Yet SEO Black Hat: SEO Blog Says:
    July 27th, 2006 at 5:05 am

    […] The MPAA, in a Jury trial? They don’t stand a snowballs chance in hell and they know it. Shawn from digital point says he’s not a hero. True, he’s not a hero . . . Yet. He has to see this thing through - then he’ll be a hero. […]

  123. Mike Dammann Says:
    July 28th, 2006 at 5:43 am

    One of my favorite movie quotes, starring “Meet the Fockers” Dustin Hoffman:

    Geena Davis’s Gale Gayley asks John Bubber Andy Garcia’s John Bubber
    “If everyone thinks of you as a hero, Mr. Bubber, how do you see yourself?” Bubber answers

    “I think we’re all heroes, if you catch us at the right moment.”

    This is your time, dude! :)

    - Mike

  124. Richie Says:
    July 30th, 2006 at 1:11 am

    Shawn,I love you :p

  125. imgoingtobed Says:
    July 31st, 2006 at 3:10 am

    More power to you, I hope you set a precident and don’t just let them drop the case. Somone needs to stop the chilling effect
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilling_effect

  126. Michiel Says:
    July 31st, 2006 at 8:54 am

    The news also reached The Netherlands. Good luck sueing the MPAA…
    Those fokkers will have to know they can’t rule the world.

    Wish you all the luck!

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