Live data from Hacker News

Canadian court ruling orders Google to block sites worldwide

theglobeandmail.com

1–10 of 109 posts

Re: Canadian court ruling orders Google to block sites worldwide

#2
This is insane.

The plaintiff, Equustek Solutions Inc., says the main defendant, Morgan Jack, sells networking devices that infringe on their trademark.

The defendant sells these things online; the plaintiff wants his websites to be dereferenced from Google.

The court agreed and asked Google to remove the links on all its properties worldwide (not just google.ca).

But what does Google have to do with this?

Why does the plaintiff not go after the infringer, to shut his websites down and/or fine him and/or get him in prison?

Telling Google to remove the links (worldwide!!) is like issuing an injunction against all restaurants the world over to stop selling food to anyone called "Morgan Jack" in the remote chance it will have an effect on his business.

Re: Canadian court ruling orders Google to block sites worldwide

#3
Haha. What a hilariously nonsensical ruling. The United States should quickly issue a ruling that expressly forbids Google from blocking sites in Canada. Then we can fight over it!

As a I would like to see all countries in which Google has an office claim their nation's full tax rate on Google's worldwide revenue. All rates combined I think it might be possible for Google to owe ten dollars in taxes per dollars of revenue.

Re: Canadian court ruling orders Google to block sites worldwide

#5

Haha. What a hilariously nonsensical ruling. The United States should quickly issue a ruling that expressly forbids Google from blocking sites in Canada. Then we can fight over it! As a I would like to see all countries in which Google has an office claim their nation's full tax rate on Google's worldwide revenue. All rates combined I think it might be possible for Google to owe ten dollars in taxes per dollars of re…

There's already a US law limiting the extent to which UK libel damages are enforceable.

Re: Canadian court ruling orders Google to block sites worldwide

#6
post #2

This is insane. The plaintiff, Equustek Solutions Inc., says the main defendant, Morgan Jack, sells networking devices that infringe on their trademark. The defendant sells these things online; the plaintiff wants his websites to be dereferenced from Google. The court agreed and asked Google to remove the links on all its properties worldwide (not just google.ca). But what does Google have to do with this? Why does t…

Well, it's often said around here that we should consider Google to be in the ad business, right ? Then following that logic Google is actually advertising illegal stuff by providing links to Morgan Jack's website on Google's own site.

I am not convinced by that line of thoughts, though.

> Telling Google to remove the links (worldwide!!) is like issuing an injunction against all restaurants the world over to stop selling food to anyone called "Morgan Jack" in the remote chance it will have an effect on his business.

But Google would be the only restaurant on the whole planet in that analogy.

Re: Canadian court ruling orders Google to block sites worldwide

#7
What happens to Google if they comply in all of Canada but do not comply for the rest of the world?

It would be cheaper for Google to offer specialist SEO and web design help for these aggrieved parties - "here's how you get your story out and ranked higher than the attack sites" - than to fight legal cases through the courts. Although I am pleased thay're taking the cases to court to defend their position.

Re: Canadian court ruling orders Google to block sites worldwide

#10
post #2

This is insane. The plaintiff, Equustek Solutions Inc., says the main defendant, Morgan Jack, sells networking devices that infringe on their trademark. The defendant sells these things online; the plaintiff wants his websites to be dereferenced from Google. The court agreed and asked Google to remove the links on all its properties worldwide (not just google.ca). But what does Google have to do with this? Why does t…

Well, it's often said around here that we should consider Google to be in the ad business, right ? Then following that logic Google is actually advertising illegal stuff by providing links to Morgan Jack's website on Google's own site. I am not convinced by that line of thoughts, though. > Telling Google to remove the links (worldwide!!) is like issuing an injunction against all restaurants the world over to stop sel…

To further the analogy - it would be like telling McDonalds to not sell food to this person but ignoring In'n'Out Burger and Burger King.

I understand the point about forcing Google to stop sellin advertising to this person. I am confused about how a disappeared person continues to pay for services from Google; why didn't anyone get a court order to force Google to release information about the infringer?

{edit: i did not downvote parent. I am not sure why parent has been downvoted}

Post reply on HN