Updating as we go. Supremes have ruled 9-0 in favor of the studios in MGM v Grokster. But does the decision have wider import? Is it a death knell for tech? It's starting to look like the answer is no ....
A few days ago I posted a blog called "Are Blogs the New Journalism?" which garnered some lengthy rebuttals both here and on my blog. I learned something from that conversation and some other reading and started thinking about it in terms of open source.
The way TIME magazine saw it in December, 2004 was the start of a "golden age" of blogging -- the rapid-fire web publishing scheme where anyone can publish their rants, photos or detailed reporting on the web in a matter of seconds. While blogging has been around for four or five years, the combination of the hotly contested election and the growth in popularity of blogging tools meant that blogging had hit critical mass.
Newsweek reports that Netflix and TiVO are looking at a deal to allow users to download movies to their TiVOs over the net. I'm sure MPAA will have something to say about this. If ti
The Copyright Office has released a four-page memo of draft language for the Induce Act, as tasked by Sen. Orrin Hatch. Ernie Miller has taken a look at the language and finds it better than the original. But that is faint praise indeed. Miller finds the new language -- and it is just draft language, open to further correction -- still incredibly threatening to technology and innovation. Read my interview with Miller about the original bill
A linux-based handheld aimed at the developing world has finally been released. In India at least the Simputer should provide mobile networked computers to the masses.
The Database Misappropriation Act -- a nice little give-away to West Publishing and other data collectors -- would allow those who collect facts to copyright those collections. Calling Professor Lessig ...
In the name of Dr. Anita Borg, who worked relentlessly to dismantle barriers that kept women and minorities from entering computing and technology, Google is offering a $10,000 scholarship in her name for one undergraduate and one master's level degree candidate in computer science during the 2004-2005 academic year. Complete applications must be received by Friday, March 12, 2004.
The Internet Archive's Ashley Rindsberg is in Alexandria, Egypt, setting up a print-on-demand system based on the Internet Bookmobile. Check out his progress at his Egypt blog.
Reps. Zoe Lofgren and Rick Boucher issued a press release yesterday calling on Congress to fix DMCA, in light of information that doing so would not put the US in treaty violation.
