After Facebook knowingly leaked the source code of its social website, the company is using the DMCA to prevent other websites from publishing the source code.

Both Digg and Google apparently complied with an order to stop linking to the code, but I can't help but wonder if Facebook isn't abusing the DMCA. The company manually misconfigured a server, allowing the code to be exposed to numerous users.

17 Aug 2007

Even if the publication wasn't intended, that doesn't negate the fact that it happened. Facebook therefore can't claim the source code as a company secret. It is left with the copyright for actual application, but that can be easily circumvented by making a slight change to the code.

Facebook essentially ran out on the street in its underwear in a drunken haze, and is now threatening to sue anybody who took pictures. Even if Facebook's underwear isn't that interesting, there is no reason why the DMCA should protect the world against incompetence.

Don't blame the world for your slip-ups