Being in this game now for the last 7 years.I have seen alot of players come and go.
But, Acacia is not our only threat. Maybe the first REAL threat we have seen. But far from our last. The major problem that we all face. As Acacia moves ahead with their liesencing efforts. It will possibly take years to get all this resolved. Possibly have their patent revolked. But, in the mean time, they will win many, many battles, sites will close, people forced out of the web industry, all because of these patents that will effect us all.
The real problem doesn't lie with Acacia. They saw a "opportunity" to get rich quick. Thats the problem with the world today. Everyone is looking for a easy get rich quick scheme.
The REAL problem lies within our judgical system.
People suing Tabacco companies for millions while they sat at home and smoked up for years and years. Claiming they were mislead that smoking wasn't harmful. People suing companies for bs. Insurance companies trying to fraud people our of medical claims, and vice versa, people suing because they burned their tongue drinking coffee at McDonalds, etc, etc. The list goes on and on.
Until the people we elect into office, come in and clean up this fucking mess. This will cotinue to happen and get worst and worst.
Yes, the large sponsors would LOVE to see all the smaller paysites close up. More revenue all for themselves. They don't give a fuck about little guys. They all sign you up for their programs and Acacia will OWN them too, bringing less competition.
I'm sure Acacia gave them a break for signing on early. But most of them really have no choice. Maybe the pressure they are under to be the first to sign. First to sign and the rest will fall. and sign their fucked up package.
But with the larger companies that signed. I'm sure it was strickly business desicion to them. Granted, it didn't help us out. But we don't know the full story behind it either. Maybe it was a threat to be shut down, like we already saw with one sponsor.
The best thing you can all do is follow as much, as possible with the Acacia ussue until its resolved. yes, some of us will be shut down, taken to court for past royalties, etc, etc.
Best thing you can do is research,make the best judgment for yourselves and your company, long term. That's if your in it long term.
Acacia issue pisses me off to no end. I bet, I don't even make a $1,000 a year off upsells to these fucking video plugins and etc. But, the blood thursty cocksuckers want my hard earned money for something they didn't even develope. They bought the patent, if I'm not mistaken. But going after the smaller guys are easier targets, and gains momentum for them to go after the larger ones.
Acacia is certainly NOT the last company we will have to go after us.
There are hundreds more lined up. Waiting their turn to claim, they patented the idea for messageboard, video conferncing, audio over the net, anything that we do or has to do with the internet. Cocksucking companies will be right there, trying to make a quick and fast buck.
Sorry, that's the world as we know it now.
WE ALL need to chip in and try and help fight this thing. get the patented reviewed asap, get this into court and get a restraining order against their patent, until all of this is sorted out.
Large companies need to STEP UP to the plate and help more then they can. Their future depends on this also.
If they refuse to and have the who gives a fuck attitude.
Well, next couple companies that do come in here and push their bs patents in the future. Their will be less and less people, companies backing THEM up and help fight them off.
Our industry is pretty fucked up as it is. Full of fraud looming, spammers, cheaters, you name it. Time to get ahold of our future.If you refuse to acknowledge it. We have been screaming for years, to clean up our business. But, like Acacia, we're all in for a quick buck and fuck everyone else. Thats poor business.
Big as our industry is. We have all the people, revenue and power to smoke the fuckers at Acacia and all other threats forth coming.
Myself, I'm a designer by trade, plus I work for N E T P O N D.
I have some paysites, but, I haven't done anything with them in a few years. Mainly because I am busy helping other webmasters out and doing other projects. If Acacia wants as much, as 10% of my past revenues, they can have them. The amount of money I made from my own sites are less what they would get for their package deal they are wanting me to sign. I'll sit and wait till things settle and let the courts final ruling before I pay them a red copper penny from my ass.
Bottom line is.
WE ALL need to fight Acacia and any other bs company that comes in here and threatens our industry. BIG and small.
I wonder if any of the sponsorship programs have the BALLS to step to the plate and donate a percentage of their total sales in help fighting this patent and all others?
Any of them?
If the BIG and small companies don't step up and be agressive in fighting this and future threats. They ALL will be gone in a matter of time. Mark my words.
Sorry for the long post. But, its the truth.
No one seems to care. They are concerned. But sponsorsship programs don't give a fuck about any other sponsorship programs.
It's time for all of us to put aside our differences and all fight this thing. before it effects us ALL. Now and in the future.
Jeff