Piracy Happens

Net Neutrality back in congress. Cross your fingers.

admin — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:03:46 +0000

The issue of net neutrality – the inability for ISPs to discriminate between information packets on the Internet – is back in congress for review. Don’t quote me on the Time-Warner figures, but my message is clear: prioritized packets means more money from consumers and for big business. That is all.

RIAA/MPAA lawyers: Your media is not your own

admin — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 16:33:51 +0000

Big media lawyer makes RIAA/MPAA stance clear on the limitations consumers should have in using their own media.

Pirate Party has copyleft movement concerned

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:26:26 +0000

What effect will the Pirate Party’s agenda have on movements to make existing copyright better? Creative Commons and General Public License work on top of current copyright structure, and some worry that abolishing facets of the copyright structure could weaken copyleft ideas along with it.

BPI: Don’t post music on YouTube…even if you made it

admin — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 01:44:04 +0000

The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) ordered that video of musician Calvin Harris be pulled from YouTube. Only one problem – it was Harris who posted it.

EA Games’ “Command and Conquer 4″ requires Internet connection

admin — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:06:34 +0000

EA Games’ newest game in the C + C series only operates while connected to the Internet. What’s at play here: Anti-piracy or extra content?

France’s “Three strikes” tactic asking for trouble

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:53:02 +0000

France finally pushed through a “three strikes” law that would fine, blacklist, or even imprison Internet users accused of file-sharing.

ASCAP goes “ludicrous” speed

admin — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:23:38 +0000

The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) wants to sue ringtone distributors, claiming that every time a copyrighted song is used as a ringtone, it is a public performance. This from the same bastion of fair use that opposed Girl Scouts being able to sing copyrighted songs around the camp fire.

Music Industry: Napster goooood!

admin — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 13:36:33 +0000

Music industry execs admit they should have embraced the Napster model – now ten years old. What stopped them then was the inability to clear rights. What’s stopping them now? Well…the inability to clear rights and disperse funds. Sounds like someone needs to have a corporate pow-wow. Original story from Ars Technica: http://tinyurl.com/kjlajt

EA Games says “meh” to threat of “The Sims 3″ piracy

admin — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:03:29 +0000

In a bold move, EA Games invites pirates to download their games, to include recent release “The Sims 3″. The game was available on torrent sites weeks before its scheduled release date, though EA isn’t concerned, counting on online content, upgrades, and in-game marketing to skirt losses due to piracy.