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Craigslist now asks for exclusive license when posting

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Re: Craigslist now asks for exclusive license when posting

#131

Post by chc »

CodeCube wrote: post #127
smspence wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"...if she lists that couch on ebay as well she is technically in breach of craigslist's terms of service." No, I do not think that has anything to do with the new craiglist terms of service. The new terms of service just prevents other people from copying the content of the craigslist ad. So, no the hypothetical woman selling the couch would not be affected by the new terms in any way.

I wonder if there's a market for a rewriting service ... takes a volume of text, and rewrites it using different words so that it's the same content, but not copied.

Such software exists. It's called a spinner. Unfortunately, AFAIK it doesn't actually get around the copyright issues because it's a mechanical translation, not an independent creative work.

Re: Craigslist now asks for exclusive license when posting

#132

Post by nathan_long »

smspence wrote: post #126
archangel_one wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

She doesn't think she does, but if she lists that couch on ebay as well she is technically in breach of craigslist's terms of service, and if they decide to enforce it then she is going to be forced to care. Not that I expect them to actually try to enforce it in that way, of course.

"...if she lists that couch on ebay as well she is technically in breach of craigslist's terms of service." No, I do not think that has anything to do with the new craiglist terms of service. The new terms of service just prevents other people from copying the content of the craigslist ad. So, no the hypothetical woman selling the couch would not be affected by the new terms in any way.

>> The new terms of service just prevents other people from copying the content of the craigslist ad.

Um...

>> the exclusive right to enforce copyrights against anyone copying, republishing, distributing or preparing derivative works without its consent

Where does it say anything about "other people?" I mean, I doubt Craigslist would sue an actual user for posting on EBay, but they might send EBay a takedown notice for that content.

And if I wrote a piece of software that helped you post the same thing simultaneously on Craigslist and EBay, I bet they'd sue me.

Re: Craigslist now asks for exclusive license when posting

#133

Post by nathan_long »

CodeCube wrote: post #127
smspence wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"...if she lists that couch on ebay as well she is technically in breach of craigslist's terms of service." No, I do not think that has anything to do with the new craiglist terms of service. The new terms of service just prevents other people from copying the content of the craigslist ad. So, no the hypothetical woman selling the couch would not be affected by the new terms in any way.

I wonder if there's a market for a rewriting service ... takes a volume of text, and rewrites it using different words so that it's the same content, but not copied.

Wouldn't that be prohibited as "preparing derivative works"?

Re: Craigslist now asks for exclusive license when posting

#134

Post by CodeCube »

chc wrote: post #131
CodeCube wrote: post #127

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder if there's a market for a rewriting service ... takes a volume of text, and rewrites it using different words so that it's the same content, but not copied.

Such software exists. It's called a spinner. Unfortunately, AFAIK it doesn't actually get around the copyright issues because it's a mechanical translation, not an independent creative work.

interesting, didn't know there was already a little cottage industry here. I'm totally not advocating it, but I'm curious how would anyone know (assuming the spinner actually outputs quality copy)? I guess it would be up to to the prosecution to prove it, or the defense to lie about it, should it come to that.

Re: Craigslist now asks for exclusive license when posting

#135

Post by nathan_long »

dbecker wrote: post #58
ralfn wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thats a little dramatic. CL isnt popular here in Holland, but i was under the impression, it was ebay meets dating, using a 200 byte php forum file, that looked so old, you would just assume encodimg errors. Why are you getting your panties in a twist? What import role does this site play in your life or that of others?

the "ebay meets dating" impression is not correct. Craigslist is closer to an "Online Classified Ads" which is popular for posting jobs, apartment rentals, cars, sporting equipment, musical instruments, and pretty much everything else you might post in a classified ad. I'm told it is one of the 100 most popular sites on the internet (and one of the 50 most popular in the US). One of the reasons people feel strongly a…

>> it's been hard for competitors to get any traction... even when the competitor has better technology.

This. CraigsList's search features for cars are abysmal. AutoTrader.com, on the other hand, lets you do awesome stuff like "find me a Toyota or Honda sedan costing less than $12,000 within 15 miles of me", save that search, and get email alerts when new matches come in.

But in my market, all the sellers were on Craigslist.

Sucky network effects.

Re: Craigslist now asks for exclusive license when posting

#137

Post by [deleted] »

crazygringo wrote: post #81

I'm always fascinated when companies make that one decision which seems to lead to their downfall -- and everyone seems to be able to see it, except the company itself. I think this is a great thing -- if Craigslist can get enough bad press from this, then maybe a movement for "free and copyable" classifieds listings can take place, and there can be competition in the space again.

[deleted]

Re: Craigslist now asks for exclusive license when posting

#138

Post by dredmorbius »

speg wrote: post #75
don_draper wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What are some good alternatives?

Kijiji is pretty popular here in Canada.

Owned by eBay, as it happens. A long-time competitor (and part owner) of Craigslist.

In choosing between evils, I'll still stick with Craig.

Re: Craigslist now asks for exclusive license when posting

#139

Post by gms7777 »

crazygringo wrote: post #81

I'm always fascinated when companies make that one decision which seems to lead to their downfall -- and everyone seems to be able to see it, except the company itself. I think this is a great thing -- if Craigslist can get enough bad press from this, then maybe a movement for "free and copyable" classifieds listings can take place, and there can be competition in the space again.

Sadly, while you and I and a lot of people on HN might care about this, I don't know if this decision will have that huge of an impact. I think the general public will really pay that much attention to this decision, and it won't affect their decisions to list or use Craigslist.

I think in the end they will die, as better sites replace them (piecewise probably, I doubt there will be another general purpose classified site that pops up), but it will be because there is a better alternative in place.

Re: Craigslist now asks for exclusive license when posting

#140

Post by paulgb »

duked wrote: post #112
hnriot wrote: post #108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This seems very naive to think that Craig gives a damn about padmapper, they (CL) have every right to license their data to whomever they want, and PM choose not to seek such a license so I seriously doubt Eric would really stand much of a chance getting a job with CL. You speak as though CL is broken, and it clearly isn't, as a marketplace it functions well. You may not like the website, but it's marketplace first,…

I completely agree with you and got downvoted ;) http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4322859 People seems to think that PM is the good guy and CL the bad guy I just see it a buiness trying to profit over one that's already existing and has a strong user base

It's not that simple. PM is trying to profit by innovating, CL is trying to profit by maintaining a monopoly position. They're entitled (legally) to do that, but they're not entitled to do so without losing the goodwill that they rely on for customers to give them their listing for free.
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