4 ms·

This is a great example of unequal prosecution. A startup that has its IP copied illegally would be lucky to not be ignored by the feds. Even if it was the prox

This is a great example of unequal prosecution. A startup that has its IP copied illegally would be lucky to not be ignored by the feds. Even if it was the proximate cause of a startup’s failure (which is admittedly rare). But for Google and Goldman Sachs which never suffer any real damage in these cases, the feds are their private army capable of raiding and imprisoning anyone who copies some files illegally, even if they suffer no actual harm whatsoever. There is no question Google should be able to use the law to stop someone from using their IP illegally and be compensated for any damages. But this attempt to make an example out of someone just because they’re powerful is despicable. The combination of powerful corporations with vendettas and prosecutors out to make their bones is a huge flaw in our system.

raincom 6y ago
Yes, "prosecutorial discretion" is one form in which corruption occurs.
- refurb 6y ago
  Huh? The alternative is the prosecutor is required to prosecute everything crime cops bring to them, no matter the evidence or likelihood of conviction. Sounds worse than what we have now.
  - Nasrudith 6y ago
    It is comparable to bueracratic systems vs "feudal" appointees with discretion. Despite the inefficiency, inflexibility, and occasional stupidity from bueracracies historically they have been an improvement especially for scalability. Essentially removing discretion would "bueracraticize" it compared to a more fiefdom style prosecutorial discretion. There is some potential long term improvement of forcing legislators to write their laws better at the cost of far greater court load, travesties of justice, and similiar in exchange for lessened corruption. The improvemrnt part rests upon assumptions of outrage over the proper thing. Not the best of track records given dumb knee-jerk laws. So yeah, almost certainly worse short term but it may be better long term. Not exactly an inspiring cause.
  - raincom 6y ago
    I am not defending "formalism", as you appear to suggest by "required to prosecute everything cops bring to them". One uses discretion to help their cronies--mostly super wealthy and powerful.
mhh__ 6y ago
"capital punishment means those without capital get the punishment" Applies everywhere regardless of the crime
thoraway1010 6y ago
Most startups IP is not worth $200M no matter what they think. This guy was a grade A jerk too - if he doesn't do time then white collar crime is going to be even more unfairly under-enforced.
esoterica 6y ago
IP infringement is typically a civil offense, not a criminal one. What Lewandowski allegedly did was corporate espionage, which is a crime, and a different and much more serious offense than merely illegal copying someone's IP.
bleah1000 6y ago
Yes but it's probably really hard to prove these kinds of cases. However, Google appears to have had a large volume of evidence that would be really hard to overcome, so the prosecution has a really easy time. With a lot of smaller companies, it's very likely that it would be a nightmare to try and prosecute and the evidence would be a lot thinner. So you are looking at an unequal outcome because the security practices of Google are probably orders of magnitude higher than any small company. I mean, these kind of white collar crimes are hardly prosecuted at all, I can't even think of a criminal prosecution like this. I have heard of some civil cases similar to this, but very few that result in actual criminal charges. The only criminal cases I can remember, are from state actors getting caught trying to steal from corporations and then leave the country.

raincom 6y ago

Yes, "prosecutorial discretion" is one form in which corruption occurs.

refurb 6y ago
Huh? The alternative is the prosecutor is required to prosecute everything crime cops bring to them, no matter the evidence or likelihood of conviction. Sounds worse than what we have now.
- Nasrudith 6y ago
  It is comparable to bueracratic systems vs "feudal" appointees with discretion. Despite the inefficiency, inflexibility, and occasional stupidity from bueracracies historically they have been an improvement especially for scalability. Essentially removing discretion would "bueracraticize" it compared to a more fiefdom style prosecutorial discretion. There is some potential long term improvement of forcing legislators to write their laws better at the cost of far greater court load, travesties of justice, and similiar in exchange for lessened corruption. The improvemrnt part rests upon assumptions of outrage over the proper thing. Not the best of track records given dumb knee-jerk laws. So yeah, almost certainly worse short term but it may be better long term. Not exactly an inspiring cause.
- raincom 6y ago
  I am not defending "formalism", as you appear to suggest by "required to prosecute everything cops bring to them". One uses discretion to help their cronies--mostly super wealthy and powerful.

mhh__ 6y ago

"capital punishment means those without capital get the punishment" Applies everywhere regardless of the crime

thoraway1010 6y ago

Most startups IP is not worth $200M no matter what they think. This guy was a grade A jerk too - if he doesn't do time then white collar crime is going to be even more unfairly under-enforced.

esoterica 6y ago

IP infringement is typically a civil offense, not a criminal one. What Lewandowski allegedly did was corporate espionage, which is a crime, and a different and much more serious offense than merely illegal copying someone's IP.

bleah1000 6y ago

Yes but it's probably really hard to prove these kinds of cases. However, Google appears to have had a large volume of evidence that would be really hard to overcome, so the prosecution has a really easy time. With a lot of smaller companies, it's very likely that it would be a nightmare to try and prosecute and the evidence would be a lot thinner. So you are looking at an unequal outcome because the security practices of Google are probably orders of magnitude higher than any small company. I mean, these kind of white collar crimes are hardly prosecuted at all, I can't even think of a criminal prosecution like this. I have heard of some civil cases similar to this, but very few that result in actual criminal charges. The only criminal cases I can remember, are from state actors getting caught trying to steal from corporations and then leave the country.