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Eric Schmidt Testifies Before Congress

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Re: Eric Schmidt Testifies Before Congress

#101

Post by vogonj »

dmpayton wrote: post #94

Something that kind of irked me about Jeremy Stoppelman's testimony: He failed to mention that Yelp provides an API and, in essence, gives away their data. If Google was consuming their API (vs. scraping content directly from their site), would this even be an issue? Let's assume, hypothetically, that Google used the API provided by Yelp to enhance their search results. If Yelp said, "We don't like what you're doing,…

http://www.yelp.com/developers/getting_started/api_terms http://www.yelp.com/developers/getting_started/display_requi... http://www.yelp.com/static?p=tos

"5. Restrictions

You agree that you will not, and will not assist or enable others to:

...

B. modify the Yelp Content, or use it to update or create your own database of business listing information;"

"As between you and Yelp, you own Your Content. We own the Yelp Content, including but not limited to visual interfaces, interactive features, graphics, design, compilation, computer code, products, software, aggregate user review ratings, and all other elements and components of the Site excluding Your Content, User Content and Third Party Content. We also own the copyrights, trademarks, service marks, trade names, and other intellectual and proprietary rights throughout the world ("IP Rights") associated with the Yelp Content and the Site, which are protected by copyright, trade dress, patent, trademark laws and all other applicable intellectual and proprietary rights and laws. As such, you may not modify, reproduce, distribute, create derivative works or adaptations of, publicly display or in any way exploit any of the Yelp Content in whole or in part except as expressly authorized by us."

republishing of Yelp's content, except as allowed by its Terms of Use, Terms of Service, and Display Requirements, is against the terms of your agreement with Yelp, and illegal. even though someone grants you an API to remix their data, their intellectual property rights to that data are not waived.

Re: Eric Schmidt Testifies Before Congress

#102

Post by vogonj »

jrockway wrote: post #76
kposehn wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yelp's own actions notwithstanding, it is quite true that Google has pulled some questionable moves and is clearly attempting to drive traffic to their own products. Not that I like Yelp however ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

Why shouldn't Google attempt to drive traffic to their own products? If I write two books, should I be able to recommend one in the other? How is this any different?

except perhaps at great effort and expense, you can't gain a monopoly over books on a given topic, and once someone has transferred all of the information out of your book into their mind by reading it, the book has no enduring value to them.

the analogy is more like that of a car manufacturer gaining 90% market share, designing the interface between it and its seats to be proprietary (and preventing other manufacturers from learning about it except through a business agreement with them), then getting into the seat business and making it clear that third-party seat manufacturers make inferior products.

Re: Eric Schmidt Testifies Before Congress

#103

Post by [deleted] »

jaryd wrote: post #14
endlessvoid94 wrote: post #6

The lack of eloquence and understanding by those congresspeople is very, very disappointing. Mr. Schmidt answered those questions in an excellent manner. The racetrack analogy was particularly unnerving.

+1 Did anyone else notice that Al Franken was almost entirely incomprehensible? I'm happy that Schmidt has the presence and patience to pleasantly attempt to correct these scary misinterpretations.

[deleted]

Re: Eric Schmidt Testifies Before Congress

#104

Post by alexqgb »

rmrm wrote: post #98
martincmartin wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you're asking if we favor our own maps properties, damn right we do. That sound bite would be taken out of context, and the game would be over for Google.

Isn't the fact that Google Maps appear at the top of any results page that might be location related the smoking gun evidence? It's an obvious truth. I understand the need for diplomacy, but acknowledging the obvious and then explaining A) Why you do it, and B) Why you're entitled to do it just seems like the right answer. Or at least more right than saying you don't do it, and acting kind of ashamed about it. Obviou…

Whatever else it may be, your Steve Jobsulator is pitch perfect.

Re: Eric Schmidt Testifies Before Congress

#105

Post by alexqgb »

yanw wrote: post #71
rmrm wrote: post #32

I think Google would be well served if Schmidt had a little more Steve Jobs in him. Not a lot, as I think Jobs might get so frustrated he'd melt down, but a little. Eric makes everything sound somehow slightly sinister, even when it isn't. When asked about something like maps and places the correct answer is: We realized that is what people wanted in response to their queries. We looked around, and the other map prod…

Eric did well. What bothers me is that no reps of small businesses were in this hearing, it just seems like one big corporation is shilling a fight against another.

Welcome to Washington.

Re: Eric Schmidt Testifies Before Congress

#106

Post by nkassis »

miql wrote: post #67
AgentConundrum wrote: post #50

So.. who is the asshole, sitting behind (visible to the left of) the ex-FTC commissioner, that's constantly laughing, shaking his head, and rolling his eyes at what she's saying? He is extremely irritating.

I noticed that, too. Not only did I find that annoying, I think it was disrespectful.

I wouldn't be surprised either. I'd like to know how do spectator get access to the room? Can anyone show up to a hearing like this?

Placing someone would be hard, involving knowing where the cams are and how to position yourself and getting there first.

Re: Eric Schmidt Testifies Before Congress

#108

Post by [deleted] »

0x12 wrote: post #96
oldstrangers wrote: post #53

The antitrust regulator just asked about sending in a third party to review google's search algorithm. Haha. Hahahahaa. Not a chance.

And why not? Google could put up a lot of resistance but if the government wants something bad enough they generally get it. The other option is not to do business in that particular country, and for google that option is not on the table.

[deleted]

Re: Eric Schmidt Testifies Before Congress

#110

Post by EGreg »

rmrm wrote: post #32

I think Google would be well served if Schmidt had a little more Steve Jobs in him. Not a lot, as I think Jobs might get so frustrated he'd melt down, but a little. Eric makes everything sound somehow slightly sinister, even when it isn't. When asked about something like maps and places the correct answer is: We realized that is what people wanted in response to their queries. We looked around, and the other map prod…

Disagree. Eric Schmidt is being very careful and respectful, knowing that his quotes will be taken apart later, and it's hard when you have congressmen some of which with their own agendas who want to show their constituents that they are asking Google the tough questions and are not afraid to take action.

Whenever I see a person and think, "man, that would be really hard for me to do, and I am a CEO!" I think they are doing an excellent job.

I would say that a programmer's carefulness is serving him well here. Even though he's not one, as far as I know. :)

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