Month: December 2015

Just Because Australia Won Its Plain Packaging Case Against Philip Morris Doesn’t Mean Corporate Sovereignty Isn’t A Threat | Techdirt

the dismissal of the case on procedural grounds means that we will never get a ruling on the substance of Philip Morris’ claims. As such, the award contributes nothing to the bigger debate about the conflict between investment protection and public policy.

Source: Just Because Australia Won Its Plain Packaging Case Against Philip Morris Doesn’t Mean Corporate Sovereignty Isn’t A Threat | Techdirt

HIV Dating App Company Threatens Press With HIV Infection For Reporting On Personal Info Leak | Techdirt

Ah, the old “We’ll just infect you and your family with HIV, haha!” tactic to silence reporters. This is a company that, again, caters directly to the community of the HIV infected, exposed that community’s personal information, and then used HIV infection as a cheap threat on a reporter simply for reporting on the leak. Why would anyone want anything to do with these people any longer? And, while barely apologizing, Hzone appears to be more interested in doing CYA than true security.

Source: HIV Dating App Company Threatens Press With HIV Infection For Reporting On Personal Info Leak | Techdirt

Nineteen-Hour ‘Standoff’ Ends With Law Enforcement Officers Destroying An Empty House | Techdirt

A SWAT truck with a battering ram attached was used to poke holes and tear apart the house in an attempt to drive the nonexistent suspect out. As deputies became unable to find him, they began taking their frustration out on couches, beds, lamps, clothing, toys, and even the family’s Christmas tree was ripped through a window and smashed to bits.

The entire time, Nita Lane, the homeowner, was trying to tell the cops that Alexius was not there and does not live there.

The sheriff, quite expectedly, remains unapologetic. Despite being told by the victim that Alexius was not in her house, [Sheriff David] Groves maintains that his officers acted in the best possible manner.

Source: Nineteen-Hour ‘Standoff’ Ends With Law Enforcement Officers Destroying An Empty House | Techdirt

Law Enforcement Wants To Be Able To Seize The Cars And Homes Of People Convicted On Child Porn Charges | Techdirt

Some odd news out of Massachussetts. Legislators and law enforcement are teaming up to push legislation that would give agencies permission to seize and sell property belonging to people convicted of sexual crimes against children.

Source: Law Enforcement Wants To Be Able To Seize The Cars And Homes Of People Convicted On Child Porn Charges | Techdirt

Turing’s reviled Shkreli indicted for securities fraud over “Ponzi-like” scheme [Updated] | Ars Technica


$750/pill CEO accused of illegally using assets from former company to pay debts.

Source: Turing’s reviled Shkreli indicted for securities fraud over “Ponzi-like” scheme [Updated] | Ars Technica

Verizon Exec In Charge Of TV Services Admits She Cut The Cord | Techdirt

When the executive in charge of your company’s traditional television services publicly admits she’s a cord cutter who no longer watches traditional TV, it might be time to reconsider the future of pay television. By and large most cable and broadcast executives have responded to the cord cutting phenomenon by either denying it exists, claiming it’s the domain of losers, or insisting it’s a fad that will magically evaporate once more Millennials procreate. But at a recent TV industry conference, Verizon’s director of FiOS TV services, admitted she’s been a cord cutter for a while

Source: Verizon Exec In Charge Of TV Services Admits She Cut The Cord | Techdirt