Tuesday, August 20, 2002

Music Companies Target Chinese Web Site. Seeking to block access to a Chinese Web site it says is trafficking in pirated music, the U.S. recording industry is suing four companies that control the domestic Internet's main long-haul pipelines. By The Associated Press. [New York Times: Technology]

RealNetworks Launches New Player. RealNetworks began offering a new digital media player on Tuesday that plays back music and video in all formats, including those of its main competitor, Microsoft Corp. By Reuters. [New York Times: Technology]

My New Fighting Technique Is Unstoppable has probably the first weblog, from September 1985! "Speach by Reagan screwed up all the TV schedules". Now, I'm not into the whole blog-for-blog's-sake self-promotion thing. I dont really understand the debates over the value of blogging. Anyway, I digress...oh no - I'm blogging!!!

Why researchers tremble before the DMCA. Declan McCullough wrote an editorial in which he reported that the DMCA doesn't really threaten researchers and scientists. Ed Felten, Edward D. Lazowska (Co-chair, Computing Research Association, Government Affairs Committee) and Barbara Simons (Co-chair, ACM US Public Policy Committee) have written a letter in response, telling Declan exactly why they fear the DMCA. [Boing Boing Blog]

Starbuck's sells free WiFi access. Quite a business model [The Register]

Russian Music Pirates Sail on Government Land. A pirated compact disc factory under a Kremlin lease shows the weaknesses of Russian law enforcement in full, unflattering relief. By Sabrina Tavernise. [New York Times: Business] "...two out of every three music CD's in Russia are counterfeit. Piracy keeps legal album sales low, forcing Russian musicians to keep up frantic touring schedules to stay afloat..."

Debunking DMCA Myths. Declan McCullagh: "If you believe the buzz, you'll conclude that programmers, academics and engineers should be scared witless about being sued under the DMCA. ... Don't get me wrong. The DMCA is both an egregious law and a brazen power grab by Hollywood, the music industry and software companies. It is probably unconstitutional." [News.com]     Google It!