[Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] Looking for sites blocked by paywalls or remove-ad-blockers

Mon Nov 13 11:23:15 PST 2023

George,
Perhaps micropayments and whatever the software infrastructure for them
would be a good topic for an LCTG talk?  Maybe you have already had one of
those in the past, but hopefully, it is an area that is changing, because I
know they (the payment processing costs) used to be expensive.  But, agreed
it would be great if you could pay a small amount by the article rather
than a subscription.  I know for technical articles, the cost per article
is rather high for an individual, but given the potential volume for news
and mass distribution material, why not have 25 or 50 cents per article?

David Lees

On Mon, Nov 13, 2023 at 2:10 PM George Gamota <ggamota at stma-llc.com> wrote:

> I understand the ethics if you access a website a lot bypassing paying,
> but what I find an issue, is when you have one article that might be of
> interest, say published by Kansas City Tribune. You don’t want to pay and
> read  articles published by them daily. So maybe there could a payment say
> of $.50 to read that one article.
>
> Just a thought
>
> George
>
>
>
> *From:* LCTG <lctg-bounces+ggamota=stma-llc.com at lists.toku.us> *On Behalf
> Of *carllazarus--- via LCTG
> *Sent:* Monday, November 13, 2023 1:17 PM
> *To:* 'David Lees' <joeoptics at gmail.com>; 'Robert Primak' <
> bobprimak at yahoo.com>
> *Cc:* 'Lex Computer Group' <lctg at lists.toku.us>; 'Steve Isenberg' <
> smisenberg at gmail.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] Looking for sites blocked
> by paywalls or remove-ad-blockers
>
>
>
> Exactly my thought.  We may be talking about large entities such as the NY
> Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, etc. but if we want them to
> continue to exist they need to be able to pay their expenses and make some
> money.
>
> -- Carl
>
>
>
> *From:* LCTG <lctg-bounces+carllazarus=comcast.net at lists.toku.us> *On
> Behalf Of *David Lees via LCTG
> *Sent:* Monday, November 13, 2023 1:12 PM
> *To:* Robert Primak <bobprimak at yahoo.com>
> *Cc:* Lex Computer Group <lctg at lists.toku.us>; Steve Isenberg <
> smisenberg at gmail.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] Looking for sites blocked
> by paywalls or remove-ad-blockers
>
>
>
> You could also discuss the ethical issues of not paying for things that
> people trying to make a living are doing?
>
> David Lees
> From Pixel 6 Pro
>
>
>
> On Mon, Nov 13, 2023, 1:00 PM Robert Primak via LCTG <lctg at lists.toku.us>
> wrote:
>
> You are NOT committing any crime by using most evasion techniques
> available to the general public (not tech-savvy hackers).
>
>
>
> I don't know what Steve has or had in mind, but no one can take any legal
> actions against anyone for publicly discussing these tactics.
>
>
>
> Please refer to You Tube's Terms of Use and Zoom's code of user conduct if
> in any further doubt. Other sites also have terms of use.
>
>
>
> -- Bob Primak
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Monday, November 13, 2023 at 12:52:44 PM EST, Steve Isenberg via LCTG <
> lctg at lists.toku.us> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> Gentlepeople,
>
> After much consideration, discussing with several people, and consulting
> with ChatGPT, I've decided *not* to demonstrate this.  We can discuss the
> situation on Wednesday's Potpourri but I no longer feel comfortable giving
> a demonstration for legal reasons.  My apologies.
>
> I'm open to comments.
>
> -steve
>
>
>
> Here's what I've learned from ChatGPT:
>
> Steve asks ChatGPT:
>
> suppose I have found a way to get around a paywall without paying or
> subscribing, or to get around a site's requirement to disable all ad
> blockers without disabling ad blockers, and I can do this only on my
> computer and without accessing or tampering with the website. Am I
> committing a crime or doing something that would subject me to a lawsuit or
> other legal action by the website owner?
>
>
>
> ChatGPT responds (edited):
>
> Circumventing paywalls or other access restrictions without authorization
> may be a violation of the website's terms of service, which could
> potentially lead to legal consequences. Additionally, in some
> jurisdictions, such actions could be considered unauthorized access,
> hacking, or a violation of computer security laws.
> If you find a way to bypass paywalls and other measures that protect the
> website content without permission, it may be seen as a violation of the
> website's rights and could result in legal action.
>
> I asked Aria the same question and it responds (edited):
>
> It's important to note that bypassing paywalls or circumventing a
> website's requirements without permission may be considered unethical or
> even illegal in some jurisdictions. Here are a few points to consider:
> Websites have the right to protect their content and enforce their terms
> of service.
> Unauthorized access to paid content or finding ways to bypass paywalls may
> violate copyright laws or terms of service agreements.
> Engaging in such activities could potentially subject you to legal action
> by the website owner, such as a lawsuit or other legal consequences.
>
>
>
> Harry asked a similar question addressing only circumventing paywalls, and
> got the response (edited):
>
> Bypassing a paywall of a website without a subscription could potentially
> be considered a violation of the website's terms of service or terms of
> use. It may also infringe upon copyright laws or other applicable laws,
> depending on the jurisdiction. Engaging in such activities could
> potentially have legal consequences, including the possibility of facing
> legal action from the website owner. It is always advisable to respect the
> terms and conditions set by website owners and to seek proper legal means
> to access content.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Mon, Nov 13, 2023 at 12:01 PM Robert Primak <bobprimak at yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>
> The Boston Globe and the New York Times hide a lot of their content.
>
>
>
> Then there's the somewhat more problematic case of You Tube.
>
>
>
> -- Bob Primak
>
>
>
>
>
> On Monday, November 13, 2023 at 08:25:34 AM EST, Steve Isenberg via LCTG <
> lctg at lists.toku.us> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> Gentlepeople,
>
> This Wednesday as part of the presentation I plan to show how to proceed
> to web sites that prevent you from accessing their content unless you (a)
> remove all of your ad-blockers, or (b) subscribe or pay to see the content
> (paywalls).
>
> Could you send me (and not the list) the URL of sites you have run into
> that block your access, and I'll add them to the list I'll use as
> demonstrations.
>
> Thanks,
>
> -steve
>
>
>
>
>
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