DMCA Notice Targeting 'Bypass Paywalls Clean' Isn't The Thing to Get Angry About * TorrentFreak
torrentfreak.com
Bypass Paywalls Clean (BPC) allows users to bypass paywalls that exist for the sole purpose of granting access to news in return for payment. According to its developer, the browser extension has been removed from GitLab after being hit with a DMCA takedown notice. Many users of BPC are venting their frustrations right now, mostly in respect of the takedown itself. In reality, the things that led up to the takedown notice are more worthy targets.
  • Pxtl@lemmy.caEnglish
    331·
    7 months ago

    I have a simple opinion on paywall bypassers:

    If it’s possible to bypass the paywall, that means there’s already a class of unauthenticated clients you’re allowing to see it. I have no interest in complying with whatever infrastructure you use to implement this discrimination.

    Implementing a true hard paywall is trivial software. The only reason bypassing is possible is because they’re trying to have their cake and eat it too by allowing (eg) search engines to see it unauthenticated.

  • KoboldCoterieEnglish
    27·
    7 months ago

    While that could be a worthy topic of discussion, these scenarios can be immediately addressed using a DMCA counter-notice. BPC’s creator can simply file one with GitLab and in less than two weeks’ time, the platform would have to restore it, if whoever sent the original notice didn’t sue the developer in the United States.

    Who is the author of this piece suggesting pays for that potential lawsuit? Like, it’s great to say “Oh, they can totally fight this, and they’re probably in the right to do so”, but companies weaponizing the legal system is basically trivial for them to do, and unless they’re offering to help foot that bill, they’re putting all the risk on the developer which isn’t really fair.