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ACTA: the Big Deal
ACTA (the Anti Counterfeiting Trade Agreement) is making a lot of news these days, with lots of people comparing it unfavorably to PIPA and SOPA. A lot of that coverage has been focused on Europe and particularly Poland, where the Polish government's signing of the agreement has sparked considerable protest.
So is this a big deal, and if so, why is domestic coverage of it so muted in comparison to SOPA and PIPA?
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Help Make it Legal to Rip Your DVDs
Quick – what’s the legal difference between ripping a CD and ripping a DVD? Ripping a DVD is a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and could get you sued. Unlike CDs, DVDs are protected by a digital lock. The mere act of breaking that lock – even for a legitimate purpose – is a violation of the DMCA.
Fortunately, the DMCA also has a built-in mechanism to deal with situations where it prevents people from doing legitimate things. And that's why we need your help to make sure that DVD ripping is granted an exemption from the DMCA.
Configuring the Networked Self: A Book Event
Jan 25, 2012 02:00 AM - Jan 25, 2012 04:00 AMConfiguring the Networked Self Law, Code, and the Play of Everyday Practice
by Julie E. Cohen
Panelists
Professor Danielle Citron, University of Maryland Law School
Professor Daniel Solove, George Washington University Law School
Professor Rebecca Tushnet, Georgetown University Law Center
Moderated by
Professor Julie Cohen, Georgetown University Law Center
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Gewirz Student Center, 12th Floor
Georgetown University Law Center
120 F Street, NW
Washington, DC
Please RSVP by January 17 to rsvp2@law.georgetown.edu
Copyright 2020 - Scenarios for the Future of Copyright
Feb 02, 2012 07:30 PM - Feb 02, 2012 09:30 PMOrganized by: The Washington, DC, Chapter of the Internet Society
Hosted by: SRI, Inc.
Location: 1100 Wilson Blvd. Suite 2800
Arlington, VA
PK Deputy Legal Director Sherwin Siy is participating in this exciting panel to discuss the future of copyright.
No RSVP required. Good debate guaranteed.
8:30 - 9:00 AM: Networking Breakfast
9:00 - 10:30 AM: Panel and Audience Discussion, Featuring:
Public Knowledge Calls AT&T Spectrum Statements ‘Unfortunate’
The following is attributed to Harold Feld, legal director for Public Knowledge:
“It is unfortunate that AT&T Chairman Randall Stephenson still believes that buying out the wireless industry is the only way to improve his company’s spectrum efficiency.
“His comment in this morning’s earnings call that the FCC has made it clear the agency won’t allow acquisitions as a means of increasing spectrum holdings is inappropriate for two reasons. The failed acquisition of T-Mobile would have had far wider implications than simply a spectrum acquisition. It is unfortunate that AT&T thinks that the only way it can increase its spectrum holdings is to purchase a competitor. Using its current holdings more efficiently would also go a long way to relieving the company’s purported spectrum shortage. In addition, the Commission did allow AT&T to purchase spectrum from Qualcomm.
Public Knowledge Advises Movie Lobby To Stop Threatening Politicians
The following is attributed to Harold Feld, legal director of Public Knowledge:
“As support for the movie industry’s legislation has faded away over the past two days, the motion picture lobby has introduced an unfortunate tone into the discussions. Not only has the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) accused Web sites of abusing their freedom of speech by going dark of Internet Blackout Day to demonstrate opposition to misguided legislation, now it is threatening political figures.
“It has been reported in several outlets from the Los Angeles Times to Deadline to Fox News that MPAA Chairman Chris Dodd is threatening to cut off campaign funds from President Obama and perhaps others because of their opposition to the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA).
Comments of PK, EFF, & FMC: Remedies for Small Copyright Claims
January, 17, 2012
These comments were filed with the U.S. Copyright Office on Tuesday, January 17, 2012.
Providing copyright owners with the ability to enforce small claims is important to ensure the effective functioning of the copyright system. Equally important is the ability of defendants to defend meritorious claims. While a suit in federal district court is expensive, it also provides various procedural safeguards that permit effective presentation of cases and protect the rights of defendants. These safeguards play an important role in copyright cases, which often raise complex issues. Even where a dispute involves small monetary amounts, it is likely to involve complex issues that touch on free expression, privacy, and competition policy. Therefore, we endorse the Office's intention to study the issue more carefully before making any recommendations.
preservesthe openness of the Internet and the public's access to knowledge, promotes creativity through balanced copyright, and upholds and protects the rights of consumers to use innovative technology lawfully.