The Command Line

John Tehranian has published a short paper I’ve seen linked in many of the usual places for discussions of copyright issues and reform more generally. The paper is well substantiated and imminently readable for anyone, not just activists intimately familiar with the scope and depth of copyright law and history.
In some ways, this paper [...]

I am curious to read Tom Bell’s forthcoming book, Intellectual Privilege, but was disappointed at the excerpt he posted. I object to yet another proposal that fair use will disappear as a function of the ability of the market to reach all potential licensees, no matter how small, equally well. Fair use is [...]

A couple of stories of interest. Cory’s latest Guardian column explores all of the practical hurdles an automated system must overcome to preserve the same balance of values as a manual system. If perfect control were in anyway relevant to the discussion of copyright enforcement, the issue would be relevant. Sadly, years [...]

Regulation advocates thinks the supposed evidence that Comast has been shaping traffic to discriminate against P2P users proves the need for network neutrality. Their opponents think public hue and cry is sufficient to stop Comcast’s behavior in and of itself. Many others have discussed both sides extensively. There have even been intimations [...]

Some of the news stories I’ve read on discussed on the podcast lately have made me realize very strongly how unevenly the freedom of political speech is protected around the globe. I take for granted the simple act of composing my thoughts and spinning them out onto the net every week. So it [...]

Professor Felten doesn’t speak to the actual legalities involved. Once all of the complaints are distributed and the recipients have decided on what course of action to take. According to his post, one group is keeping a low profile, another is delaying a commercial offering having already been served. I would very [...]

I will admit to having been very confused by the coverage on the decision made by California State AG, Debra Bowen. Were the systems de-certified? Were they not? According to Techdirt, it was both. Apparently, she initially de-certified the systems, then thought better of it and certified them contingent on the [...]

I can’t find the article that first shifted my thinking about DRM, that the piracy argument was a red herring. I really enjoy Seth Schoen’s talk as part of the Fulbright speaker series where he clearly characterized DRM as having more to do with controlling innovation than stopping piracy.
Cory’s Guardian piece about DRM as [...]

The danger, according to the EFF, is that Congress may rubber stamp the illicit spying into legitimacy.

Contrary to the Administration’s characterizations, its “FISA Modernization” bill is not simply about “updating” the law and allowing surveillance of foreign-to-foreign communications. Instead, it could radically expand the government’s ability to spy on Americans without a warrant.

Follow the link [...]

I was reading over on Google’s new-ish public policy blog where Richard Whitt pointed out voting on the auction rules will take place tomorrow. The entry where I spotted this timely reminder has a pretty good wrap up of the issues, at least from the technology companies’ point of view. I happen to [...]