With news this week of a Canadian settlement of the Sony rootkit case, it is worth revisiting the admonishment that case elicited from Stewart Baker, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s assistant secretary of policy. As noted earlier this series, Baker reminded the recording industry that "it's very important to […]
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Alberta Man Sentenced to Jail for Hate Site
In what is being described as a groundbreaking case, an Alberta man has been sentenced to 16 months in jail for promoting hatred on his website.
30 Days of DRM – Day 15: Artistic Access (Circumvention Rights)
The copyright lobby frequently characterizes the use of DRM and anti-circumvention legislation as benefiting creators. Contrary to the rhetoric, however, a growing number of creators actively oppose DRM and the prospect of anti-circumvention legislation. The Canadian Music Creators Coalition justifiably generated enormous attention last spring when dozens of Canada's leading musicians came together to form a new coalition opposed to suing fans, using DRM, or establishing anti-circumvention legislation. The Appropriation Art coalition, launched soon afterward, may have less noteriety but they combine to form a powerful voice. Consisting of more than 600 artists, curators, directors, educators, writers, associations and organizations from the art sector, the coalition features artists that have collectively won dozens of major awards including eight Governor General Awards in Visual and Media Arts.
Despite these credentials, the group incredibly received little more than a form letter from Bev Oda, the Minister of Canadian Heritage. Perhaps that is because the Appropriation Arts coalition tells a much different story from the copyright lobby.
Privacy Commissioner Expresses Concern Over Lawful Access
Federal Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart is expressing concern over potential lawful access legislation, stating that "as privacy commissioner, I want to have a lot of questions answered about why this is necessary because, up to now, I haven't been convinced."