Well, I’m not sure if this is a good or bad thing. Here’s the story.
As some of you might have experienced, you might have discovered FactPile when looking for cheats for Halo 3. I had a website that was ranked #1 in Google for “Halo 3 Cheats” on the day Halo 3 was launched. In time and no effort on my part, the site slid down to #3 in Google for that term. I had always used that site as a way to send traffic to FactPile, and since they were Halo fans, that was part of the starting point of the Master Chief matches on FactPile.
So, about a month ago I got a letter from an attorney who represents Microsoft telling me I had to transfer ownership of the domain to them. From a legal perspective, I completely understood their side since the site *could* have been mistaken for being an authorized site from Microsoft. (The site used the fonts from Halo and had the name “official” in the domain name itself.)
Since I have no intention of taking on a giant like MS, I transferred ownership of the domain to them.
But then I got this message from another part of their team:
Dear Sir or Madam,
Microsoft has received information that the domain listed above, which appears to be on servers under your control, is offering unlicensed copies of, or is engaged in other unauthorized activities relating to copyrighted works published by Microsoft.
1. Identification of copyrighted works:
Copyrighted work(s):
Crackdown 2
Copyright owner: Microsoft
2. Copyright infringing material or activity found at the following
location(s):
www.factpile.com/crackdown-2-home-truths.htm
The above computer program(s) is being made available for copying, through downloading, at the above location without authorization of the copyright owner.
3. Statement of authority:
The information in this notice is accurate, and I hereby certify under penalty of perjury that DtecNet, Inc. is authorized to act on behalf of Microsoft, the owner of the copyright(s) in the work(s) identified above. I have a good faith belief that none of the materials or activities listed above have been authorized by Microsoft, its agents, or the law.
We hereby give notice of these activities to you and request that you take expeditious action to remove or disable access to the material described above, and thereby prevent the illegal reproduction and distribution of this copyrighted work via your company’s network.
We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. Please advise us regarding what actions you take.
Yours sincerely,
DtecNet Anti-Piracy Team
On behalf of Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
United States of America
I took down the link since it’s not worth the trouble of fighting MS on it. If you recall, that post was simply a YOUTUBE video: Crackdown 2 Web Comic Episode 1 “Home Truths” (Which as of this writing is still easily ready to be seen on YouTube).
Hey Microsoft, guess who just canceled their reserve copy of this game? Sure, I know it won’t impact the bottom line or cause anyone to lose their jobs – but not embracing how the world runs is just ignorance and just not a good business practice.
I responded to the email informing them that I removed the post and how this was a great way to build buzz for this upcoming game.
fucktards.
Wait…Does this mean that Factpile is owned by Microsoft?
It was just the other site that Admin had.
That’s the ticket.
New Vegas is wooping Crackdown 2 on the reserve charts anyway lol
@Admin
You sir, have just:
tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/SugarWiki/CrowningMomentOfAwesome
“fucktards.”Summed up Microsoft in one word Good Job.
I just love how Microsoft does little to no research on these matters or would have notice the fact that all it was is a trailer to the game. Oh how oh how are you going to dawnload a game that isn’t even out yet and through a trailor no less…. Brains left that company a long time ago
“Wait…Does this mean that Factpile is owned by Microsoft?” – NO! I own this site. But now Microsoft owns a previous domain and site of mine….
I feel the urge to smite them…
Honestly, I am very surprised this site has not blimped under anyone else’s radar much sooner. I pride myself in knowing a little bit about this, and I can tell you that FP infringes on copyrights on a daily basis.
Trust you me, MS could have done much worse.
Microsoft Works… greatest oxymoron ever. What a bunch of idiots.
Really lame. Microsoft really pulled this out of their ass.
Admin show us the site so we can raid it?
“I can tell you that FP infringes on copyrights on a daily basis.” – That’s why I have the disclaimer posted on the bottom of every page –
lol – no need to – it still redirects here. For now.
“For now.”When it doesn’t I will go all
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N6sqdrJzVo&feature=related them.
Hehehe, disclaimers do very little in a copyright court. All they say is “I KNOW this stuff isn’t mine, it belongs to that dude over there, but I am still going to try to profit from it as long as it doesn’t give me problems (get caught)”.
So then is it only a matter of time before FactPile bites the dust?
“So then is it only a matter of time before FactPile bites the dust?”
Do Extreme research on copyrights in court cases and such.
Not necesarily.
Its only a matter of time before you have to invest in a legal team, hehehehe. For the most part, these sites never become a big issue. If it ever grows enough, most people would be more than happy to allow their material to be displayed here. As long as you get any form of agreement (be it physical or even verbal), you should not get into too much trouble.
Big corps like MS might be another issue, though, but the gross majority of the site’s copyright infringement comes in displaying of images the way we all know and love.
Unless you get a licence from each and every copyright owner (or even licence owner) to display their creatively owned material here, each and every one of these images is an infringement on their rights over it.
…not that you are any different from hundreds of sites across the web (which is what keeps you under radars), but as you can see, things may change rather abruptly.
Hell, MS didn’t even give you a slap on the wrist. All they did was a form of announcing that they ARE watching.
Waves to Microsoft – Hey guys, love some of your stuff, and some other things, well…
It was me! I am the mole!
Muahahahahahaha
I will destroy the Microsofters of their insolence! Just give me the word Admin!
*breathing heavily, clutching Manreaper tightly in both hands”
MS at its best…bitching about stuff.
Let me round up Factpile’s finest warriors my lord, and march on MS Headquarters leaving nothing but chaos and mayhem in the wake! *hysterical evil laugh*
Diana is on the MS radar… soon she shall be a digital demoness…
every one copies something. If it is on the internet shouldn’t it be every one’s property since every one uses the internet
Ohhh… Diana… I wish you could too
If she was the commander I’ll do anything to get transfer to her command
Wait I think I sent that video in……..
@Megaraptor, Sapper
You guys like a Dominatrix?
“@Megaraptor, Sapper
You guys like a Dominatrix?”
no, i like turning Dom’s into submissives…
Oh right right right… Got yeah *click sound and points and winks*
……..they can’t do much,we’re exploiting their product(s) in a positive way……
MS…………..you have been a thorn in my side for too long! I shall smite thee using nothing but my pure rage!!!!!! Their soul shall feed upon itself to escape the horrible pain! They shall know true suffering! I shall not rest untill i have pulled each and every on of them into hell itself, so they can see what is nothing compared to my wrath!
Thank you, and have a nice day.
“until i have pulled each and every one of them into hell itself”
Whoa,don’t bring these guys down here they would make horrible prinnies.
@Random guy
That was good, now lets go get’em!!!
*raises Manreaper in a cliche manner as everybody precedes to do the same thing in a rallying-like battle cry*
Wait I think I meant to use the word “proceeds” not “precedes” lol Oops!
“@Magnum
Even if you have to be deployed on the frontlines? I like that kind of zeal. Reminds me of Starship Trooper.”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-_c6V0U-4k
Ready for duty ma’am!
“That was good, now lets go get’em!!! ”
Bah,do what you want then I will just send them to that place then.
Eternal anguish as they hear this every second in their eternal hell in darkness they can never escape..
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HrSN7176XI
and as for Bill Gates I have a special room for him…
@”Magnum”
woah, you have a special nickname when being addressed by Diana? *nods in approval putting hand up for high five*
@Laharl
Good job man, we’ll kill em, you handle the rest! *puts on helmet and strides out the front door of the FP Manor at the head of the march*
“woah, you have a special nickname when being addressed by Diana? *nods in approval putting hand up for high five*”
benefits of the cupcake thread and the Fear soldiers vs Helghast thread (Damn those were good threads none of this fanboy bullshit and stuff just tactics and a control battleifeld…. We need more threads like that to put my military history knowledge to the test)
*Takes out his super old very powerfull demon sword* The last time i used this……it nearly destroyed the multiverse……..and i was holding back at that time…………….. MS will have no such mercy…….FOR FACTPILE!!!!!!! *Charges off to destroy MS*
this is terrible well sort of.sue them Admin and higher the Ace Attorney www.factpile.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/objection.jpg
“*Charges off to destroy MS*” Poor guy they have MC with a splazor he is doomed…
(MC fanboy reference for jokes)
“*Takes out his super old very powerfull demon sword* The last time i used this……it nearly destroyed the multiverse……..and i was holding back at that time…………….. MS will have no such mercy…….FOR FACTPILE!!!!!!! *Charges off to destroy MS*”
Define irony… someone on a MS run internet probably on a MS operating system… with MS software… threating via MS coding… to take down MS…
/head shake
I’m willing to fight along side you if needed.
@Sapper
No no no, we just kill the employees, and replace it with smarter people, because MS has had shit for brains since xbox
@Kingdomguy
Well, needed? No I doubt so, but your welcome to join us and watch the fools burn Muahahahahahahahaha!
“I’m willing to fight along side you if needed.”
You aren’t strong enough yet.
Guess you could be useful to me if you are a prinny though~
“Define irony… someone on a MS run internet probably on a MS operating system… with MS software… threating via MS coding… to take down MS…
/head shake”
Nope. everything i have is powered and made of rage.
“*Takes out his super old very powerfull demon sword* The last time i used this……it nearly destroyed the multiverse……..and i was holding back at that time…………….. MS will have no such mercy…….FOR FACTPILE!!!!!!! *Charges off to destroy MS*”
** microsoft perspective**
Windows error 403 forbidden. Security walls initiated, searching for intruder
…
…
…
Windows error 404, not found. Did we get em’?
“because MS has had shit for brains since xbox” don’t you dare mock Xbox!,yes they sort of suck at business but they make awesome games and consoles.
I just remembered my xbox’s eye is fried so now I am extremely pissed off! *stops fraternizing and returns to the march*
@Cj
Are you coming? Because I want to get on this! *marches away, with the others in his wake*
“awesome games” That is mainly not theirs they simply bought the games with money.
@Laharl EXACTLY!
@Grand Papa Typhus
YES! I shall come but Bill Gates must be taken alive.thats an Order!
@Cj
YES YOUR HIGHNESS!
@Grand Papa Typhus
hahaha..you still remember the most famous line in all of anime,great job now I shall crush the enemy’s of Factpile so we can expand the Empire.All hail BRITANNIA!* the crowd starts chanting with me* All hail BRITANNIA!
“*Charges off to destroy MS*” Poor guy they have MC with a splazor he is doomed…
“(MC fanboy reference for jokes)”
I fear it may actually be true, in a metaphorical way, since Microsoft is a big corporation and can be an asshole but you can’t really do anything about it.
he,he.
I thought you’d like that CJ, it was the most flawless and perfect moment in to use that line lol
@orpheus
I eat assholes for breakfast, and right now I’M VERY HUNGRY!!!!
well, I ‘m not a prinny ,but I am a great when it comes to strategic planning for battle. Then again finding a mountian top and eating popcorn while all of factpile fights for thier rights doesn’t sound so bad. … Speaking of crazy generals where’s Kenny? should’nt he be throwing in his two canes?
oh well if anyone needs me I’ll be in the shadows.
I recall that before ” I eat noobies for breakfast and right now I’M VERY HUNGRY!!!”
never mind.
So, the FP army must march and destroy microsoft now I feel kind of bad, but then again I always wanted to do something for a cause.
sorry for constant posting I’ll just be going then. have fun with your assult.
@starsteam
Well heres your chance to prove your self to Factpile and the Admin
Oh and CJ, that line is from Commando, one of my favorite movies
Arnold Schwarzeneggar actually says “I eat greenberets for breakfast, and right now I’m very hungry!”
So I use that one whenever I can lol
“but you can’t really do anything about it.”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCRkVeFQBmw
Wait I can’t do that it would make it pointless.
alright well I’m not a prinny ,but when it comes to strategy I am quite the planner. also, please ignore that last comment. sorry again for double posting.
Cjrodarte: “I recall that before”
You know, I do eat a lot of things for breakfast, *chuckles* I’m a big guy, I need my nutrition.
this is the speech that I will say before we launch our attack www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEMdXhfO-Wk
Hey CJ, remember how I keep saying that Admin is Omnipotent? Well this speech draws parallels from my beliefs of his power to who he actually is, thus Admin should be the only person giving a speech, he should rally us with this www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w3ZENhUlDU
(I do like yours though)
@Cj
Nah, this is a better one www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeCfod1XT7E&playnext_from=TL&videos=LEMqJNHSatg .
While Microsoft is far from the mighty “Spehs mehrenes” I think that is a speech bill gates should give to his people considering they were under attack in that video. We are the attackers, my link is a awesome speech Admin could/should give.
@GTP
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQSfH4s9WOo how about this
@starsteam and GTP
who is better Sauron or voldamort.
@starsteam the speech was great but the graphics were odd.
www.gamaniak.com/video-4559-kings-of-power-4-billion.html
I decided the room Bill Gates shall be put in.
I couldn’t even stand your vid for 30 seconds Lahar… That is a good thing for Billy lol
Starsteam, your speeches are good, but maybe I just feeling a bit too emotional to think that there is a better speech suitable (keyword) for this situation. Which is why I like my William Wallace video reference the best still
Are we ever going to attack? They are probably preparing for us as we speak!
“I couldn’t even stand your vid for 30 seconds Laharl… That is a good thing for Billy lol”
I watched the whole thing enjoyable things the demons here like to do.
we must wait until Admin tells us to!
Think I will take a nap *yawn~ leaves dungeon doors open with keys*
then a prinny smacks you and says “no sleeping”
We are in somewhat of a hotzone of potential copyright infringements here.
After all, the three companies who most jealously hold their copyrights would be Microsoft (As demonstrated above), Disney (Who have appeared on occasion, though mostly only in relation to Kingdom hearts) and… Games Workshop, owners of the Warhammer franchises… Those guys legal department get very very tetchy about their intellectual property being used by anyone else at all (Hence the Warhammer/Warcraft rumours, and a great many Warhammer based webcomics either shutting down or being Very careful about making sure any and all credit goes to GW)
Which Franchises get the most exposure here again… Halo and 40K you say… eep.
@everyone
This would be the best song www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIsv1YOFNys
@J
Yea, this webcomic makes it funny eatatau.smackjeeves.com/comics/712738/001-eatatau/ .
“Not until admin tells us to”
Well, I guess I will just take a dump. This can choke the Lord of Decay himself
*grabs a newspaper, opens poop hatch in armor and squats in the nearby grassy knoll*
Calm down, no need to do anything. There are many smart people who work at these companies and most of them are really cool. Don’t let a few tightly-wound types ruin our fun.
“Calm down no need to do anything…” – Admin
*From squated position, still pooping, saluting the Admin* YES, YOUR HIGHNESS!
oops! I just noticed I messed up my username, sorry I am doing this from my Droid. Grand Papa Typhus is still in the house “Pap” was a typo! Lol
I was beginning to wonder why I didn’t have stars next my name.
Sorry guys about that misunderstanding, I am still Grand Papa Typhus, okay I have to go now, I am seeing a Toy Story 3 with my friend and his kid.
*uses newspaper to whipe ass, closes poop hatch in armor, and walks away from the disbanded Factpile Army*
So no wrath bringing then? oh well……*Starts to put away his demon blade, but then spots the guy that ate his food a week ago* Their you are! *chases the man while swinging the demon blade*
“I eat assholes for breakfast, and right now I’M VERY HUNGRY!!!!”
Damn, you freaky !!!
Having a case of Coprophilia ?
@Orpheus
No there are just some side effects with being in the Death Guard under Nurgle’s patronage. Ha ha! I’m still, VERY HUNGRY!
Admin reveals the true reason for the sexy brainwashing.
I was only wrong about the target.
For the defense of Factplie!!!!
….
What? What do you mean we were already told to stand down?
Oh and the movie (toy story 3) was great, but seeing as this is not a movie forum, I won’t go further
“Fucktards” coudn’t of said it better myself Good Job Admin Sticking it to those Micro$oft Asswipes (they also get Microhardons for Law suits)
mentalfloss.cachefly.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/do_not_want_cat.jpg
And here I wanted to test out my improbable SR-71 retrofitted with a Saturn V rocket, rocket pods and cannon dating back to WW2.
its okay Cargo, *patts Cargo’s back* we all wanted a little payback
Wait a minute, since when did Halo 3 have CHEAT CODES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????????!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
And what are they?