Legal news stories and other items of interest

[p2p-sharing-rules]

Universal Music Warns Web Video Swapper

Universal Music chief Doug Morris launched a loud salvo at YouTube, warning the upstart Internet firm that it could come into the legal crosshairs of the world's largest music company.
New York Post

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Digital rights activists take aim at EU data laws

An Irish lobby group aims to dismantle Europe's laws forcing telecoms firms to retain phone and internet data on citizens. The group, Digital Rights Ireland, is taking a case both against the Irish Government and the European Directive on data retention.
The Register

[p2p-sharing-rules]

30 Days of DRM - Day 27: Government Works (DRM Policy)
Government use of DRM represents a particularly difficult issue. Some argue that government should never use DRM systems (thereby eliminating the need for a circumvention right), maintaining that it runs counter other government priorities such as openness and accountability. Even governments themselves have acknowledged the problems associated with DRM. Last week, New Zealand issued guidelines on government use of DRM and trusted computing systems featuring a lengthy list of precautions and safeguards. They included requirements of minimal restrictions on content, assurances of future accessibility, full respect for privacy rights, retention of government control over a DRM-free version, and full access for all parties entitled to obtain the public information.

30 Days of DRM - Day 28: Review of New Circumvention Rights (Circumvention Rights)
The U.S. DMCA experience leaves little doubt that the introduction of anti-circumvention legislation will create some unintended consequences. No matter how long the list of circumvention rights and other precautionary measures, it is impossible to identify all future concerns associated with anti-circumvention legislation. The U.S. DMCA addresses this by establishing a flawed tri-annual review process. The system has not worked well, creating a formidable barrier to new exceptions and long delays to address emerging concerns.

[p2p-sharing-rules]

Major CD, DVD Pirate Outfit Uncovered in NY Garage

NEW YORK -- In what music and movie industry leaders say is a significant blow to the nation's piracy market, police on Thursday raided an office and a garage, confiscating 208 CD and DVD burners and about 40,000 bootlegged discs.
1010wins

[p2p-sharing-rules]

The certain demise of P2P file sharing?

I was actually blown away when I read this story: EDonkey settles music industry suits for $30 million. I haven't been keeping in touch with what's been happening in the file sharing arena. According to the article, EDonkey is paying $30 million, Kazaa is paying $100 million, and record companies are seeking $476 million in damages from Lime Wire. I just didn't think this would ever happen.
ComputerWorld

[p2p-sharing-rules]

More Sony BMG C.R.A.P.

p2pnet.net News:- Sony BMG's SunnComm MediaMax and First4Internet XCP spyware has been a problem not only for Sony, but for many thousands of former Sony customers, since Day One.
p2pnet

[p2p-sharing-rules]

30 Days of DRM - Day 29: No Ban on Circumvention Devices (Foundational Issue)

Over the past 28 days, this series has addressed circumvention issues both big and small. I have saved the two most important issues for the end since I believe that without addressing these two issues, many of the other recommendations are rendered ineffective.

The first issue is that Canada must not establish a ban or prohibition on devices that can be used to circumvent DRM. Bill C-60 did not contain a provision prohibiting circumvention devices and that approach should be retained in any future legislation.

[p2p-sharing-rules]

30 Days of DRM - Day 30: Prohibition on Contractual Circumvention of Rights (Foundational Issue)

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30 Days of DRM: 30 Things You Can Do

The House of Commons is back in session and, as I promised last month, the 30 Days of DRM project has now concluded. The postings remain accessible via the 30 Days of DRM page, the wiki, and a new PDF version that incorporates all postings into a single document.

The project generated considerable commentary online and lots of email offline. The most frequently asked question provides reason for optimism as many people simply asked "what can I do?" I typically responded that the best starting point was to write to their local Member of Parliament. Upon reflection, there is more that can be done and to that end, I offer up 30 things you can do about the issues raised by the 30 days of DRM project.
Read the " 30 Things To Do " list with links here.
Download 30 Days of DRM.pdf
Michael Geist Wraps Up 30 Days of DRM

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Anti-piracy drive yields success

China has revoked 368 business licenses for audiovisual products in its campaign against piracy since mid July.

Ninety-nine of the licenses revoked belonged to companies based in Northeast China's Jilin Province and 74 were from Central China's Henan Province, the National Anti-Pornography and Anti-Piracy Office announced yesterday.
People's Daily Online

[p2p-sharing-rules]

Sony spyware in Canada

p2pnet.net News View:- The Sony rootkit controversy generated enormous public attention last year after it was disclosed that the company inserted faulty copy-protection software onto dozens of CDs, rendering hundreds of thousands of personal computers vulnerable to attack by hackers and viruses.
p2pnet

[p2p-sharing-rules]

Beckerman's Slashdot Q&A

p2pnet.net News:- A, "tough interview, and merciless pounding afterwards ... kind of like a Friars Club Roast except without the 'love' part."

That's how New York lawyer Ray Beckerman, who runs Recording Industry vs The People and who's defending a number of RIAA victims, describes how he felt after defending himself online with a bunch of slash-dotters.

"The experience was a lot of fun," Beckerman told p2pnet. But, "I felt that some of the participants were RIAA trolls, and that they were taking the discussion off topic," he said.
p2pnet
Answers From Lawyers Who Defend Against RIAA Suits

[p2p-sharing-rules]

CIPPIC objects to Sony Settlement

p2pnet.net News:- The Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic has filed a formal objection to Sony's Canadian rootkit class action settlement.
p2pnet

[p2p-sharing-rules]

Help Scott to stay out of Prison

Scott McCausland, the man who pleaded guilty in a BitTorrent case this week, now invites everyone who sympathizes with him to write a letter to the judge on his behalf.
Torrentfreak

[p2p-sharing-rules]

Taiwan's Kuro in substantial settlement with recording industry

The latest unauthorised p2p file-sharing service shuts down and converts to a legal model

Kuro, Taiwan's best-known unauthorised file-sharing service, has today paid a substantial sum in damages to the recording industry and agreed to shut down its copyright-infringing p2p operation.

Under the settlement with record companies represented by IFPI Taiwan, Kuro's operator, Taipei-based Fashion Now Co Ltd, will stop distributing its p2p software programme immediately and will ensure closure of the copyright-infringing service by 15th October.
IFPI