Grokster is slapped, rodents get mapped

Things are moving apace with the social networking diva, thanks for asking. She’s invited me to a July Fourth barbecue. I’m supposed to bring something to toss on the barbie and a good story that reveals the Cringe nobody knows. Maybe I’ll just toss myself on the barbie instead.

Signed, sealed, and deliberated: If you’re still using Grokster et al to fill up your iPod, a SWAT team of feds and record company trolls should be arriving on your doorstep right … about … now. The Supremes have ruled that the folks who run file-swapping networks can be sued for inducing users to violate copyright law. The RIAA is dancing in the streets, while the tech industry is crying the tears of a clown. I’m no attorney, but shouldn’t somebody be suing the record companies? If charging $17.99 for an Ashlee Simpson CD isn’t an inducement to swap free music, I don’t know what is.

Red, hot, and blue: Four months after Cringester Zahir T. bought a sexy red Acer Ferrari 3400, the motherboard blew a gasket. A month later the new motherboard blew up — and this time Acer says it’s waiting for replacement parts before it can fix it. Trolling the message forums, it seems Zahir’s not the only Acer owner whose Ferrari runs hot under the hood. (Acer reps were unavailable for comment.) Maybe they should have called it the Yugo 3400.

And no late fees: Last month, L.A. police raided a DVD pressing plant and confiscated $30 million worth of counterfeit discs, according to the Motion Picture Association of America. But New Century Media says the cops took only $15,000 worth of its legal gear and goods — including 2,400 copies of a six-disc Romance DVD collection. Maybe the cops just had a hard time finding it at Blockbuster.

Pets or meat?: Cringester Scott J. used Google Maps to get directions to a barbeque at a friend’s house. But instead of his pal’s pad, Google served up the location of The Best Little Rabbit Rodent and Ferret House, 20 miles north. I understand squirrel shish kabob is pretty good eatin’.

Got hot tips or flaming ferrets? Send them to cringe@infoworld.com and you may receive a flame-retardant bag to put them in.