Link roundup

1. A few weeks ago Andy Baio mentioned that he'd reluctantly settled for $30,000 a lawsuit in which he was accused of using a photographer's intellectual property. I mentioned at the time, without explaining my reasoning, that I thought he'd indeed stolen the photographer's intellectual property. Well, this post does an excellent job explaining why.

But that's really only half the story. Predictably, internet users angered by the photographer's attempt to protect his intellectual property attacked the photographer both in cyberspace and in the real world. This is a fascinating summary of what occurred. There's a bit of commentary on that post here (make sure to read the "featured comments"). (And from that same site, here's some great photographs). Via.

2. "Hypoallergenic dogs don't actually produce fewer allergy-provoking proteins than other dogs, say researchers who put the claims to the test." Via.

3. Some snails not only survive being eaten and digested by birds, but actually use the experience as a means of travel. Via.

Link roundup

1. Some useful commentary about the current federal budget negotiations. (I tend to discount any commentary that presumes that Obama and his aides are stupid.)

2. It's going to be so hot in Qatar during the World Cup that they might play three 30 minute periods instead of two 45 minute halves. That's right, the games were awarded to a country where playing the game by the established rules will likely be impossible.

3. There's no self service gas stations in New Jersey? All gas has to be pumped by an attendant? In Los Angeles you almost never see full service advertised.

Link roundup

1. Some interesting predictions about the future of the legal profession. Via.

2. Apple not only censors emails sent by Me.com users, but doesn't even tell the users that their emails have been blocked?

3. The keys to finding a job in Hollywood.

The Law of Gotham City

A few panels from Detective Comics #233 circa 1956, featuring the origin of Kathy Kane/Batwoman and her cosmetic-themed arsenal.

*Buy Batwoman toys at eBay.

Link roundup

1. A good reminder that you should read every article critically because the author probably has all sorts of biases you don't know about.

2. The stories about Mark Zuckerberg are going to get weirder and weirder, right?

3. Lawyer complains that his opponent is using a large-breasted woman to distract the jury.

Link roundup

1. I'm not saying I agree with her assertions, but it's fascinating to read how a defense attorney would go about defending Dominique Strass-Kahn.

2. A football player drafted in the seventh round by the Bills has lost 75 pounds:

The Tennessean has a story today about [Michael] Jasper’s journey from Bethel to the NFL and from a high of 448 pounds to a svelte 375, and it includes details like the fact that Bethel didn’t have a scale that would register higher than 400 pounds, so when Jasper needed to monitor his progress in trying to lose weight, he’d go to the McKenzie Feed & Grain Store.

3. Sounds like the start of a thriller:

An outbreak of smallpox was the farthest thing from Paul Levengood's mind when his staff at the Virginia Historical Society put together an exhibit of "bizarre bits" in the society's collection since its founding in 1831.

There was Confederate President Jefferson Davis's cigar, confiscated by Union troops. There was a fungus carving of Robert E. Lee on his horse Traveller and a wreath made of human hair.

Then someone mentioned a letter, handwritten and dated 1876, with what appeared to be a smallpox scab pinned inside—light brown, about the size of a pencil eraser, and crumbling.

Via.

Link roundup

1. Sad, sad article about the crooked tricks colleges use to comply with Title IX:

At the University of South Florida, more than half of the 71 women on the cross-country roster failed to run a race in 2009. Asked about it, a few laughed and said they did not know they were on the team.

At Marshall University, the women’s tennis coach recently invited three freshmen onto the team even though he knew they were not good enough to practice against his scholarship athletes, let alone compete. They could come to practice whenever they liked, he told them, and would not have to travel with the team.

At Cornell, only when the 34 fencers on the women’s team take off their protective masks at practice does it become clear that 15 of them are men. Texas A&M and Duke are among the elite women’s basketball teams that also take advantage of a federal loophole that allows them to report male practice players as female participants.

2. From an interview about Portal 2:

At one point two years ago some Cave Johnson dialogue got leaked – so I can now tell you, two years ago Cave was the bad guy in Portal 2 and GLaDOS wasn’t in the game. It was a prequel. We liked the character enough that we snuck him into this.

3. Great article about the balancing act bloggers must perform. (I typically crank out posts before bedtime or before I leave for work in the morning, and schedule posts to appear throughout the day. I also try to post items I hope you haven't seen elsewhere.)