More depressing news (courtesy of slashdot) from the world of public domain works. Seems a website hosted in Canada has been targeted by copyright owners for providing works of classical music still covered by copyright in certain countries, despite the fact that the site clearly labels the status of copyright […]
News and politics
64 posts
This just in.. An Australia political party who, if ‘elected’, would enable registered Australian voters to vote on legislation in parliament. From the site: "Senator On-Line (‘SOL’) is a truly democratic party which will allow everyone on the Australian Electoral roll who has access to the internet to vote on […]
Well hello, this just in from our Scottish correspondent (BBC News); apparently an auto mechanic shop in Edinburgh is being sued because employees listen to the radio while working – within earshot of customers – and thus, it is alleged that this act constitutes both a ‘public presentation’ of music and copyright infringement. […]
According to news.com.au, the Australia dollar has cracked the US 0.90c barrier today. It’s time to buy stuff from Amazon.com! It’s certainly time to decide if you need to buy/import anything, take advantage of the excellent strength of our Aussie dollar. Heck, it’s a good time to travel to the […]
A little something for how big business views use of their intellectual property (does a work become void if the owner has no intelligence?). In a recent hearing for the RIAA, Sony’s head of litigation took the stand and amazingly let slip that Sony’s opinion, legally speaking, is that any consumer […]
So, another shameless slashdot repost, since it concerns copyright and also because it’s one of my personal bugbears.From AECNews comes this interesting article about AutoDesk Inc (makers of AutoCAD) who invoked the holy Digital Millennium Copyright Act to have copies of AutoCAD removed from sale on the popular auction site […]
Some good news for a change! A court decision has backed Sydney startup company IceTV over Channel 9 in a case to determine whether IceTV’s electronic program guide is in violation of Nine’s copyright to their scheduling, the merit of the case precariously balanced on IceTV’s guide being similar to Nine’s. […]
Well, for one thing on the way to the station today we heard on the radio the news about the shootings in the US. Not a great way to start the day; being reminded of Australia’s own version (Port Arthur in 1996). It’s also ironic given my last blog […]
While we were in the states, controversial radio host Don Imus (think: Howard Stern’s competition) was being publically chewed for comments he made on air about the Rutger’s (a US College/University) Women’s basketball team. It’s funny, because the "land of the free" – with free speech and all – […]
Well, as most people know I’m an outspoken critic of the NSW Labor Government. I’m not going to rehash any argument which I’ve aired previously – there are plenty of examples – this election will be long remembered as the election that the Liberals lost and not the election […]
There have been news reports recently about violence at a number of Sydney schools including repeat incidents at a Carlingford school. The media (per the link) appear to be pinning it onto ethnic/racial tensions, but I’ve seen the media at work before and I somehow doubt that it’s […]
So, for those who call New South Wales their home, you’ll probably notice that the state election is being held next month. Those who know me well also know that I follow (for some reason) state and federal politics (because I’m a glutton for punishment). Heck, I like to know […]
From the lovely North American vista of Canada (home of free speech and a conservative but practical government – no sarcasm indended), comes this disturbing article from the CBC. Basically, Canada is due to potentially enact (they’ll lead you to believe this is the same as ‘artist’-friendly) music-industry friendly copyright protection […]
Well, the official inquiry into the 2003 Canberra bushfires which destroyed almost two entire suburbs and claimed the lives of four people, has concluded. In January, 2003 a large fire front destroyed more than 500 homes in the western Canberra suburbs of Duffy, Cotter Dam and Stromlo Forest. There was, […]
Reading over at slashdot yesterday I couldn’t help but stumble onto this little gem from way over yonder (the UK, where they must be sick of watching the Ashes highlights). Evidently, I am not alone in being critical of the ever-extending copyright laws, and in the UK they’ve all […]