While googling for pictures of failed technologies for my post on eBooks, I came across a strange note at the bottom of Google's search results. It read:
"In response to a complaint we received under the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act, we have removed 2 result(s) from this page. If you wish, you may read the DMCA complaint that caused the removal(s) at ChillingEffects.org."
I wondered what this was about so I followed the 'DMCA complaint' link. It led to a 'cease-and-desist letter' posted on ChillingEffects.org telling Google to remove search results from its database not because Google is infringing on copyright but because the site is that Google is linking to!
This is pretty bad. But it did give me an opportunity to look over ChillingEffects.org. The 'About Us' page says:
Chilling Effects aims to support lawful online activity against the chill of unwarranted legal threats.... The Chilling Effects project seeks to document that "chill" and inform C&D recipients of their legal rights in response.
The website catalogs 'cease-and-desist' letters as well as points to resources related to free speech and the DMCA. It's sponsored by a host of impressive organizations including the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Berkman Center for Internet & Society.
