Week 5 Articles
Class Article Reviews: Copyright
Originally submitted by K.Onuma: New Media sharing Utility from doubleTwist
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/02/19/doubletwist/
John Lech Johanesen’s doubleTwist firm has released new software that allows users to share digital media files, including copy-protected content, even across devices! The Windows-based utility helps users bypass bitrates and codecs. While the drag and drop based system is likely to infuriate Apple, doubleTwist isn’t too bothered about the possibility of legal ramifications.
This article further illustrates the trend of “making digital information public” that is spreading like the wildfire through internet. The fascinating part about this (as reviewed in the class copyright video) is that there is a massive movement/revolution to change the way content works and is distributed, and another large movement on the other side that keeps pulling the noose around the user tighter: encouraging old laws, increasing restrictions and penalties. The two can only disregard one another so long before a massive clash occurs. These issues are shaping the future of digital media and copyright law.
Originally submitted by E.Deischsetter: Qtrax and File Sharing
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/newsroom/sns-ap-downloading-music,0,5167541.story
Re-hauled file sharing Qtrax had promised to offer unlimited, free music downloads to users, toting the banner of the first file swap service that was “fully embraced by the music industry.” In an embarassing debunk, Time Warner responded that it had never authorized such a claim. Soon after, Universal music group and EMI Group PLC mentioned their negotiations with Qtrax were still ongoing.
Qtrax has been attempting to push what many users want in their heart of hearts: free content, mass distributed and easily obtainable without fees, licenses, paper work, or red tape. Though hasty in its claim to fame, Qtrax’s efforts aren’t uncommon with the direction many users are trying to pull digital media. As we’ve been discussing in class, legal clashes are happening all the time over this topic, and a grand conflict between the worlds of traditional legislation and the media revolution stand ever-ready to collide.
Originally submitted by K. onuma: The end of Torrentfreak?
Wildly popular file sharing and torrent service TorrentFreak has apparently been halted in its tracks, either by hackers or government powers. The site has long been an epicenter for distributed digital content and torrents, but has also generated many enemies. Obviously, every morsel of content on the site was never 100% legal in every aspect, so the common “digiphobia” of ”government crackdown” was a plausible enough explanation for many users. However, the clear message on the site stating “we killed TorrentFreak” doesn’t quite carry the legit heir that one would expect from strong legal opposition.
As we discussed in class, the amount of copyright material being distributed is staggering. To top things off (as touched on in the copyright video) we’re dealing with a generation today that seems to attempt to bypass the red tape of digital law whenever possible to promote a more creative and open internet. This article plays on a common fear that many users (consciously or unconsciously) have of instantaneous retribution from the government. Even so, users press on aggravating and skating the edge of copyright material.
Originally submitted by Ome Cano: Curbing file sharing?
A recent policy passed by the United states House of Representatives is trying to reduce the amount of file sharing in colleges and universities by requiring them to make their policies on illegal downloading publicly available.
The sheer Boldness of this act is incredible evidence of attempts by law representatives and legislation to “expose” file sharers and distributors. The current regime is fighting to protect Copyright Law tooth and nail, but the question must be asked: “does current legislation ever directly or indirectly infringe on the infringer?
Originally submitted by Ome Cano: Copyright Confusion?
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oew-weaver20feb20,0,1675278.story
The complexity of the intellectual property debate has recently been further observed, acknowledging that our present system treats Copyright works like some kind of real property with no carrying costs, taxes or fees.
If looked at carefully, the way our legal system currently deals with copyright can be very puzzling at times. The same approach as the stock market (as we mentioned in class) as copyright as an unchanging entity can cause major stagnation of user produced work in the future.
