media/news
Japanese RIAA wants server-side music DRM for mobile phones
Imagine the outrage that would occur if everyone’s iPhones and BlackBerrys wouldn’t let them play music until each song was authenticated on a DRM server as a legit purchase? Such a scenario could play out in Japan if the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) has its way—the organization is pushing for an agreement with music sites that could result in every phone checking with the cloud before playing the user’s selections in an attempt to curb music piracy within the country. Executives from the RIAJ have begun talks with unnamed music download sites and mobile phone operators this week, according to anonymous participants speaking to the Financial Times .
Continue reading »Copyright Office slams Google Book deal, Google opens up
When the US Copyright Office first heard about the proposed Google Books settlement, it found the idea a “positive development.” Then, after reading the fine print, it changed its collective mind, deciding instead that Google was really out to rewrite US copyright law through the courts. Marybeth Peters, the Register of Copyrights, today explained to Congress (PDF) her office’s objections to what Google hoped to do:
Continue reading »China’s new online music rules a headache for search engines
China has begun a massive effort to crack down on Internet music piracy with the Ministry of Culture issuing a new directive. Before the end of 2009, the Chinese government expects all music providers out of China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan to submit mountains of paperwork for each song with the goal of cutting down on “the intermingling of good and bad content” online. The required documents include lyrics translated to Chinese and licensing agreements proving that the music providers have the green light to offer that music online.
Continue reading »Amazon: Google book deal possibly illegal, definitely bad
This Friday is the deadline for documents to be filed with the court that’s overseeing the Google book settlement, which will absolve the search giant from liability for its book scanning activities and set up an independent entity that will oversee the distribution of e-books from its digital stacks. Amazon, given its sales of both print and e-books, has joined a group that opposes the deal , but that hasn’t stopped it from filing an objection to it individually. Amazon’s lawyers spend over 40 pages arguing why that the deal should be rejected on copyright and antitrust grounds, while throwing in a very explicit admission that it’s bad for its business model.
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