tech policy
Amazon threatens more publishers with freeze-out over prices
Earlier this year, Amazon found itself in a showdown over e-book pricing with publisher Macmillan, which wanted the ability to set pricing for its works. Amazon initially pulled all of Macmillan’s titles off its virtual shelves but, a few days later, conceded there was little it could do —Macmillan’s works went back on sale, and Amazon apparently gave up on trying to force its prices on the company. Despite that rousing lack of success, reports are now indicating that several other publishers may get the same treatment, as Amazon is threatening to stop selling their works as well.
Continue reading »feature: How Amsterdam was wired for open access fiber
The city of Amsterdam has been involved for several years in building Citynet , a partnership between the city and two private investors to wire 40,000 Amsterdam buildings with fiber. And it’s not just fiber, it’s open access fiber—any ISP can sign up to use the infrastructure and deliver ultra-fast Internet access. In 2008, the European Union ruled that the city’s involvement in the project was in fact legal, and that it was not improperly interfering in the market.
Continue reading »etc: Comcast will begin rolling out 100Mbps home Internet service over the next 12-18 month. No word on pricing.
Comcast will begin rolling out 100Mbps home Internet service over the next 12-18 month. No word on pricing. Read More: Multichannel News Read the comments on this post
Continue reading »etc: A London hospital has begun treating Internet-addicted teens.
A London hospital has begun treating Internet-addicted teens. Read More: AFP Read the comments on this post
Continue reading »"Piracy" sounds too sexy, say rightsholders
For years, we’ve heard complaints about using the term “piracy” to describe the online copyright infringement—but most have come from Big Content’s critics. As noted copyright scholar William Patry argued in his most recent book, “To say that X is a pirate is a metaphoric heuristic, intended to persuade a policymaker that the in-depth analysis can be skipped and the desired result immediately attained… Claims of piracy are rhetorical nonsense.” Read the comments on this post
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