Internet Law
Partner Offers $10K Bounty for Blogger’s Identity
Posted Jan 22, 2008 5:28 PM CST
By Martha Neil
A Chicago lawyer who is being criticized, along with his law firm, in an anonymous Internet blog supposedly authored by a fellow attorney has offered a $10,000 reward to anyone who can provide him with the identity of "Troll Tracker."
The anonymous blogger, who claims to be "just a lawyer; interested in patent cases but not interested in publicity," has criticized Raymond Niro and his 30-lawyer IP boutique, Niro Scavone Haller & Niro, for representing clients who own patents but don't necessarily make products. Instead, the firm earns licensing fees from users of the patented technology—and potentially sues users if they don't pay up, explains the Chicago Tribune.
Although Troll Tracker claims a First Amendment right to criticize the firm anonymously on the blog, Niro says the blogger should take responsibility for his or her views. Plus, he points out, knowing the identity and affiliations of the blogger likely would affect the way that readers perceive the Troll Tracker's critique.
"I want to find out who this person is," says Niro, who initially offered a $5,000 reward in last month's issue of the IP Law & Business (reg. req.) magazine, and has since upped the ante to $10,000. "Is he an employee with Intel or Microsoft? Does he have a connection with serial infringers? I think that would color what he has to say."
Updated to add a link to the cited IP Law & Business article mentioned and to remove the word "trade" from that magazine's description.
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Comments
Me
Jan 22, 2008 9:00 PM CST
It was me, Meh.
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William E Kruse
Jan 25, 2008 5:20 AM CST
I couldn’t agree with him more. It is perfectly respectable make a stand against something you feel is wrong, but at least own up to your opinion. Posting anonymously is cowardly and pathetic.
At least we know one thing, this poster isn’t one of the thousands of bright individuals with great ideas but a lack of capital to produce them himself. They might disagree with his theory of licensing, as would most of us who benefit from those products making it into the market.
But what do I know? I’m still just a law student.
W. Kruse
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Kevin A. Thompson
Jan 25, 2008 7:17 AM CST
Mr. Niro wants to know who the blogger is so he can sue his pants off.
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Carol
Jan 25, 2008 7:36 AM CST
Right, Mr. Niro. While it is true that knowing the blogger’s affiliations might have an effect on opinion about his or her credibility, it has no effect at all on the validity (or not) of the blogger’s criticisms of you and your firm. Classic ad hominem attack.
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Steve Perkins
Jan 25, 2008 7:40 AM CST
Comment #2 is correct. Knowing the person’s identity would be great for satisfying curiosity, but I don’t see how it would impact the validity of what he’s saying. If I point out that a company’s behavior is that of a patent troll, then it either IS or IS NOT that of a patent troll. Knowing who I am and what my motivations are could assist with ad hominem counteracts (and retribution lawsuits), but would be meaningless to a merit-based explanation of the company’s behavior.
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boring
Jan 25, 2008 7:46 AM CST
If I were the troll I’d turn myself in and collect that $10k. Surely it doesn’t cost that much to file a motion to dismiss.
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Dave
Jan 25, 2008 8:25 AM CST
For those who know him, Niro and his firm are basically the epitome of the sleazy lawyer stereotype that the public has regarding our profession.
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John
Jan 25, 2008 8:58 AM CST
Umm, #3, it’s “affect”.
Classic—oops, I mean—Common mistake.
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Mark
Jan 25, 2008 9:16 AM CST
Yo, John. “Effect” is used correctly in #3. “Affect” is a verb. “Effect” almost always is a noun.
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englishmajor
Jan 25, 2008 9:17 AM CST
#7 -are you sure? I thought something can affect an opinion, or have an effect on an opinion.
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Unfocused Me
Jan 25, 2008 9:20 AM CST
Umm, #7, it isn’t. #3 used it correctly. The American Heritage College Dictionary, 4th ed., p. 446, defines “effect” as “1. Something brought about by a cause or agent; a result.” You’re thinking of the verb affect, not the noun. The noun “affect” means “Feeling or emotion, esp. as manifested by facial expression or body language.” Id. at 22.
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Kim
Jan 25, 2008 9:20 AM CST
Umm, #7, it’s “effect.” Affect is a verb.
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Law Student in Madison
Jan 25, 2008 9:24 AM CST
#3’s use of “effect” is correct. “While it is true that knowing the blogger’s affiliations might have an effect on opinion . . . .” If he had said, “While it is true that knowing the blogger’s affiliations might effect opinions about his or her credibility . . . ,” then he would have needed “affect.”
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tempted
Jan 25, 2008 9:37 AM CST
Does anyone know whether you have to know anything about patent law to confess to the “crime” and collect the $$$$.
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Cat out of the bag
Jan 25, 2008 9:46 AM CST
I guess the cat is out of the bag. I am the one. Where do I collect the money from?
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R
Jan 25, 2008 9:59 AM CST
What are you talking about, Cat? I’M the blogger! Give ME the $10,000! (PS: What’s a “patent”?)
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Carol
Jan 25, 2008 10:19 AM CST
Hey there John, #3 here. Now, even if I had used “effect” incorrectly, which I didn’t, what the hell would that have to do with what I had to say? Or were you going for irony?
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twilli
Jan 25, 2008 10:37 AM CST
black letter rule of the day: check a dictionary before you put someone else on blast.
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Tim Bracken
Jan 25, 2008 11:02 AM CST
Has anyone ever heard of the Federalist Papers? The right to publish one’s opinions anonymously is as old as this country itself.
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anonymouse
Jan 25, 2008 12:30 PM CST
Listen, #s 14 & 15, you guys are TOO CHEAP. Let’s wait until he ups the ante to, say about $100,000 (surely with all those contingency fees he can afford it). Then, let’s all turn ourselves in.
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Just J
Jan 25, 2008 12:54 PM CST
#7….way to go.
If he were to find the identity, I forsee a lawsuit.
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funny
Jan 25, 2008 1:10 PM CST
Affect v. Effect.
Yes, #7 is wrong, but come on…Look at the comment trail. The image of all these lawyers posting about this is cute.
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Student Blogger
Jan 25, 2008 1:56 PM CST
I bet all of them work in patent law.
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Ironic Twist
Jan 25, 2008 2:46 PM CST
It would be ironic if the blogger was an insider at the Niro Firm.
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Spartacus
Jan 25, 2008 3:03 PM CST
No, I am spartacus!
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MGrayce
Jan 28, 2008 12:08 PM CST
Attorney Niro needs to grow up.
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Panaqqa
Jan 28, 2008 5:12 PM CST
Very interesting. As it turns out my business hosts a number of controversial websites including one blog that can only be described as “politically inflammatory”, and another best described as a “snitch site”. I have decided that short of violating a court order issued in the correct jurisdiction, I will protect the anonymity of my clients. I believe that breaking the anonymity of some people will have a chilling effect on free speech. And while some might not think exposing a patent troll is important I am sure that sooner or later an issue will come along that all can agree is. Certain whistle blowing possibilities come to mind.
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publius
Jan 28, 2008 5:21 PM CST
18 hits the nail on the head.
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sandeep
Jan 28, 2008 5:29 PM CST
Spartacus : Have we been reading bash.org a bit too much lately ?
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gideon
Jan 28, 2008 5:31 PM CST
If there’s one thing that the internet has given to the people, it’s the practical ability to easily post material anonymously. This is SUCH an important tool for keeping large groups honest without fear of immediate reprisal. There’s nothing cowardly about wanting to protect those you care about from fallout, especially when what you are doing IS in fact morally justifiable.
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Gary
Jan 28, 2008 5:52 PM CST
Knowing the person’s identity would be great for satisfying curiosity, but I don’t see how it would impact the validity of what he’s saying.
If someone is critical of say, Hillary Clinton, would you give the same weight if it came from Fox News as if it came from The New York Times ? Of course who the person is matters.
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VennData
Jan 28, 2008 5:55 PM CST
I’m the blogger, and so’s my wife.
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aa
Jan 28, 2008 5:55 PM CST
Posting anonymously is cowardly? Ever hear of the FEDERALIST PAPERS, “just a law student”. I didn’t know UOP had a law program.
Idiot.
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anonymous
Jan 28, 2008 6:08 PM CST
How can so many people say that the blogger’s identity would not affect the perception of his comments? Of course it would! It wouldn’t change the validity of the comments, but that’s not what’s important. It’s the perception of the comments that really matters, and knowing who the blogger is would certainly affect that. That doesn’t mean I think his identity should be revealed, just that it would certainly affect the comments.
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Someone
Jan 28, 2008 6:20 PM CST
#33, The law system relies so much on credibility, it sickens me. The whole bullshit about your word against mine is only true if both people are perceived to be at an equal level of credibility, then the words and facts alone are taken into consideration. If the critic poster wishes to remain anonymous, that is their right and choice. Their words should be taken as such by anyone reading them as well. However, any reader should also take into consideration what is at stake. Perhaps the poster is affiliated with Niro’s law firm. Who knows? Perhaps a personal safety is involved in choosing to remain anonymous. Remember that the “system” isn’t perfect, and there are a lot of cracks that we can ALL fall into.
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Count0
Jan 28, 2008 6:20 PM CST
What this lawyer wants to do is punish this blogger for having the gaul to speak out against his cash cow. We are long past time to overhaul our intellectual property systems but the legal professions milk artists, authors, and inventors for every dime they can. do you ever actually wonder why the prols hate the legal profession? Look no further.
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JP
Jan 28, 2008 6:20 PM CST
I might think about it for $1M, but $10K? Don’t waste my time.
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JonK
Jan 28, 2008 6:25 PM CST
Posting anonymously is cowardly? Ever hear of the FEDERALIST PAPERS, “just a law student”. I didn’t know UOP had a law program.
Idiot.
THIS.
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paranoid
Jan 28, 2008 6:33 PM CST
This has no chance of ending well. Threaten an unstable man’s revenue stream and he will often threaten your life.
The only security of the future is anonymity.
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Woadan
Jan 28, 2008 6:36 PM CST
I used to work for Verizon. I didn’t make any of Verizon’s policies, though I was called on to enforce those policies. Even if I did not like them.
I often posted anonymously at BroadbandReports.com about those policies, and often stated why I thought they were stupid.
So while I worked for Verizon, I was not supportive of everything they did.
Who is to say that, even if Patent Troll works for one of the companies Mr. Niro and his supporters mention, that he is supportive of them?
This is just a fishing expedition whose purpose is not in any way altruistic.
The best defense of a critic or of criticisms is to prove the critic(s) wrong. Knowing who the critic is makes no difference in that case.
To put it more bluntly, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Sounds like mr. Niro needs a better fireman.
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michael
Jan 28, 2008 6:40 PM CST
Thanks, Niro! Now I know about this great new blog!
P.S. Why doesn’t Niro sue Nero (cd burning software people) for taking his name and illegally bastardizing it?
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Anonymous
Jan 28, 2008 7:00 PM CST
I too shall invoke the Federalist Papers! Anonymous speech is the ultimate free speech. As long as there is no slander or libel Niro and his ilk are only looking to bully this author.
I say the source matters not - either his argument is compelling and worth reading and consideration or its not. The only reason to know the authors name is to present an ad hominem attack.
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Pope Ratzo
Jan 28, 2008 7:16 PM CST
This sounds like an opportunity for another “Spartacus Moment”
ready?
“I AM THE TROLL TRACKER”
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popularityhurts
Jan 28, 2008 7:21 PM CST
Should have just let bygones be bygones.
Now all the nutcase hackers, et all, know about this…
Blogging is like the media, so much crap, all much forgotten fast.
Another form of 15 minutes of fame…
Grow up.
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Absurdist
Jan 28, 2008 7:51 PM CST
Ah, how much I love Capitalism.
Clearly, this is a battle of money vs. money, regardless of which side you’re on.
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4hire-NOT
Jan 28, 2008 7:58 PM CST
There are a few ways to track this IP suitable for lawsuit.
However, legality of some not good. 10K to have the computer person be called into court and get a bad karma rating amoung hackers? Sorry, 100K not fit bill.
Troll Tracker, you might want to mix up some IP history…along with some other things…
10K is a small amount to raise amoung hackers to protect Troll_Tracker…Then again, some would do it for free…
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Bill Summer
Jan 28, 2008 9:00 PM CST
No life can be barren which hears the whisper of the wind in the branches, or the voice of the sea as it breaks upon the shore; and no soul can lack happiness looking up to the midnight stars. Of course, neither happiness or the possession of a soul applies to such an bottom feeder as this.
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TheRealTT
Jan 28, 2008 9:20 PM CST
No, *I* am the troll tracker!
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tigernacht
Jan 28, 2008 9:29 PM CST
“Plus, he points out, knowing the identity and affiliations of the blogger likely would affect the way that readers perceive the Troll Tracker’s critique.”
Exactly. The entire point of being anonymous is to free people of their preconceptions and be able to take things at somewhat face value.
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anon
Jan 28, 2008 9:31 PM CST
just a another troll looking to throw dirt where it doesn’t belong
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