Week 11 Articles
Chinese Search Engines easing flow of Music Theft?
http://www.businessweek.com/mediacenter/podcasts/international/international_09_07_07.htm
Chinese Music service has come under heavy heat from the recording industry. After being sued by the recording industry last November (damages claim), Baidu take heavily contested links down, but continue to provide users with links to download music without ever having to visit a website.
Despite such services being present, Many voices in China are still claiming progress over regression in the area of IP rights. As discussed in class 21, services like Baidu can end up conflicting with services like Google. As the clash between corporate interests and music sharing sites continue, how the Chinese Government will deal with such challenges will be heavily scrutinized in the coming years.
China’s Anti-Piracy fight
http://www.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUSPEK26129320080417
Reuters Journal Recently reported on the said $200 billion dollar a year (according to the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development) consumer pirated goods flow, finding that China is apparently making bold steps to both heighten IP knowledge, and squelch piracy wherever possible. In an official Statement from the Chinese Intellectual Property office, More than 4,000 people were prosecuted for piracy in 2007 alone.
On the road to becoming an established superpower, all kinds of IP issues are bound to pop up. As we’ve discussed in classes 20 and 21, piracy is still a very active force in the new media scene.
Supercharge for ISP’s Linked with Piracy?
http://www.wired.com/entertainment/music/news/2008/03/music_levy?currentPage=all
After failing to stop piracy in user related cases countless times, the music Industry may be setting its site on ISP’s. A proposed fee (like $5.00 a month) may be imposed to help regulate pirated materials.
As discussed in classes 18 and 20, the trend for anti piracy enforcement seems to be heading for heavier punishments instead of collaboration efforts.
