from Hacker News

EasyList: Ad-serving domain removed due to DMCA takedown request

by marksamman on 8/10/17, 10:22 AM with 71 comments

  • by userbinator on 8/10/17, 10:52 AM

    Thanks, just added it to my HOSTS file...

    I don't know if the Streisand Effect is going to happen with this one, but it seems very odd that the DMCA could even be applicable here.

    Edit: https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-protect.html#domain

    Can I copyright my domain name?

    Copyright law does not protect domain names.

  • by FrozenVoid on 8/10/17, 1:56 PM

    Someone needs to inform EFF, this sets an important precedent: Having to alter your software because it references a domain makes it dependent on all data being in line with DMCA requirements interpreted by the copyright holders(that is you can't use your software without complying with terms of domain owner). It transforms control of web experience. Imagine that a domain owner requests you mine some cryptocurrency to load his website and any browser that doesn't send him proof of mining is illegal(in reality this can be done with mandatory JavaScript and cookies checked on server for hash matches) due "access control" portion of DMCA. Most software makers can't afford to ignore DMCA or fight it.

  • by tribby on 8/10/17, 10:56 AM

    IANAL, but I'm guessing the DMCA takedown request cites "circumvention of access control."[1] Would be useful if the maintainer published the request.

    1. http://blockadblock.com/adblocking/is-adblock-plus-violating...

  • by NoGravitas on 8/10/17, 10:52 AM

    Can someone provide some context? How can a line in an adblock list be subject to a DMCA takedown request?

  • by anc84 on 8/10/17, 11:15 AM

    Some people use the term "DMCA" for informal takedown requests. We need to see the actual form or at least get a definitive "yes, it was an actual DMCA" before speculating.

  • by executesorder66 on 8/10/17, 12:08 PM

    Someone already added a pull request to add it back.

    https://github.com/easylist/easylist/pull/500

  • by jwilk on 8/10/17, 11:19 AM

    For those who don't know what EasyList is:

    The EasyList filter lists are sets of rules originally designed for Adblock that automatically remove unwanted content from the internet, including annoying adverts, bothersome banners and troublesome tracking.

    https://easylist.to/

  • by bitshiffed on 8/10/17, 1:40 PM

    I wonder if these were included in the DMCA: unknowntray.com , broadboundary.com , anxiousapples.com , boilingbeetle.com , ... ( https://www.threatcrowd.org/domain.php?domain=functionalclam... )

    There appear to be quite a few of these domains, serving the exact same landing page, with Namecheap whois protection, and hosted on Google Cloud.

  • by durgiston on 8/10/17, 3:40 PM

    IANAL: Seems to me like EasyList would have a fair-use defense here, beyond the fact that I'm pretty sure you can't copyright a domain name (trademark is a different story). They created a curated, novel work using the domain, or they are making commentary on the domain like in a news story (the commentary here being that this domain serves ads).

  • by gremlinsinc on 8/10/17, 11:43 AM

    Maybe someone should contact EFF to see if this might fit in their wheelhouse.

  • by pgl on 8/10/17, 11:41 AM

  • by curiousgal on 8/10/17, 10:59 AM

    Ah, the beauty of version control.

  • by whitexn--g28h on 8/10/17, 10:49 AM

    A copy of the request would be nice.

  • by tempay on 8/10/17, 11:26 AM

    I wonder if this can be worked around by storing a list of hashed domains to compare to instead?

  • by lsaferite on 8/10/17, 5:08 PM

    Perhaps it was an automated DMCA complaint triggered by the target hostname appearing on a non-customer site?

  • by StavrosK on 8/10/17, 10:57 AM

    Wouldn't Privacy Badger block this domain anyway?

  • by aloisdg on 8/10/17, 11:01 AM

    Can the list be host fully somewhere else?

  • by feelin_googley on 8/10/17, 5:02 PM

    A quick glance at robtex suggests one would probably be safe to block the IP address: 104.198.107.72

    Below are some of the other whimsical domains listed as pointing to this address.

    Whether we send one of the names below in our Host: header or some randomly chosen name, we still get the same response, devoid of any content, except an <img> tag to track the user.

        1. anxiousapples.com

    2. beamkite.com

    3. calmfoot.com

    4. chickensstation.com 

    5. consciouscabbage.com

    6. copycarpenter.com

    7. crownclam.com

    8. functionalclam.com

    9. giddycoat.com

    10. guardedgovernor.com

    11. jewelcheese.com

    12. lizardslaugh.com

    13. loudloss.com

    14. photographpan.com

    15. profitrumour.com

    16. quaintcan.com

    17. scintillatingspace.com

    18. scrubsky.com

    19. shallowschool.com

    20. shelterstraw.com 

    21. sinceresofa.com

    22. snakesort.com

    23. storesurprise.com

    24. stormyachiever.com

    25. stormyshock.com

    26. swimslope.com

  • by yAnonymous on 8/10/17, 12:00 PM

    That DMCA request can't be valid.

  • by dingo_bat on 8/10/17, 10:56 AM

    Does not make much sense. Is the website address itself under copyright?