CNET News.com: Microsoft wants to censor some open-source postings

“Microsoft is seeking to force open-source news site
Slashdot.org to remove reader comments that it says violate its
copyright.”

“The software giant sent Slashdot’s parent company, Andover.Net,
a “notice of copyright infringement” invoking the protections of
the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Under the federal law,
Internet service providers are required to take down material
posted by others if notified by a copyright holder that the
material is an infringement.”

“Microsoft says Slashdot readers improperly posted
specifications for the Windows 2000 operating system and its use of
Kerberos Web security technology. The software giant recently made
that information available for download on its Web site, but it
requires people to agree that such material is “confidential” and a
“trade secret.”

“Regardless of whether Microsoft is successful in getting
the information removed from Slashdot, legal analysts say material
that found its way on to the Internet may no longer be entitled to
trade secret protections. It likely would be protected by less
restrictive copyright protections, however.”

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