Radiohead or Prince: Who Gets to Decide over “Creep” Cover Video being Posted?

May 31, 2008 by · Comments Off
Filed under: Announcements & Events, Entertainment Industry, Legal P2P News & Issues 

When rumor had it that Prince covered Radiohead’s “Creep” at Coachella, there were quite a few those who wanted to check that out on YouTube. Even Radiohead seemed was thrilled with the news. But soon something else rather intriguing happened. No one could access the material online.

The videos containing Prince’s unique performance of Radiohead’s well-known song had been removed pretty swiftly – there was only a message left acknowledging NPG Records (which Prince founded in 1993) as “responsible” for this on account of copyright infringement. What turned this into a …debate was the fact that the posted videos were shot by fans and, of course, the song wasn’t Prince’s to start with.

Radiohead thought it should actually be them the ones to decide whether Prince’s version of their song gets posted or not (which only appears to be logical).

Thom Yorke found it hard to believe when his bandmate, guitarist Ed O’Brien, told him about the blocking.

“Really? He’s blocked it?”
“Surely we should block it. Hang on a moment.”
Then Yorke said: “Well, tell him to unblock it. It’s our … song.”

YouTube doesn’t allow any copyrighted content being posted. In case a copyright holder complaints to the site, it will generally take the video(s) down. However in this case (where NPG Records does not own the copyright) things are not so simple andYorke’s argument seems to be consistent with YouTube’s policies.

Link to the video

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Mozilla promotes Firefox 3.0 by setting a “Download Day”

May 30, 2008 by · Comments Off
Filed under: Announcements & Events, Downloads 

With a rather emphatic “tone” Mozilla has set a new mission to which it invites us to join: setting a Guinness World Record for the most software downloaded in 24 hours – namely “Download Day”

However, your likely initial enthusiasm might chill a bit when you learn that this is the first record attempt of its kind (besides, of course, that of Firefox 2).

What’s sure is that Firefox 3.0 is highly expected and for me at least Internet Explorer has lost its saying. However, that said, I’m not rushing my roll-out of the browser just because of some lame record attempt.

As the exact date of “Download Day” is not yet known (“it should be in June”), there are some requirements:

Please provide your email address when pledging to download Firefox 3 and we’ll send you reminder emails and notify you of the exact date. Or, you can check back at Download Day Headquarters for an update or follow “mozillafirefox” on Twitter for status.

The problem as many do see it might lie with the add-ons. Until they are ready and updated as well (before Download Day) there is no certainity this “event”can’t have a boomerang effect on Mozzila.

They seem pretty optimistic about it as they urge us “Let’s shoot for 5 million–the sky is the limit!”

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Virtual Sticky Notes and File Sharing from Postica

May 30, 2008 by · Comments Off
Filed under: Announcements & Events, File-Sharing Programs, Networks & Services 

Are you the kind of person with plenty of must do-s who works at a desk with tens of brightly coloured Post-It notes decorating the surroundings of your computer? Well, you might want to take a look at Postica then. What’s Postica? – a new application that makes virtual sticky notes which you are able to share with whoever you want.

Basically, Postica offers a blank space where you can drag around notes and save their location so that it has the same appearance on any PC. Whether you want to attach a file, change the color of a note or e-mail it to a friend you’ll find it pretty easy to do so.

Similar to the wiki-style app Protonotes, Postica is likely to appreciated by those who are in the habit of using Post-Its 2.0 and wish to share their desktop notes with their buddies.

For any addict of reminders and file-sharing programs out there, Postica could prove quite useful.

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BitTorrent and Orb Team Up to Enable Downloads on Any Internet-Connected Device

May 30, 2008 by · Comments Off
Filed under: Announcements & Events, Entertainment Industry, File-Sharing Programs, Networks & Services, Movies, MP3, Digital Audio & Games 

BitTorrent Inc and Orb Networks have announced their collaboration intended to make BitTorrent downloads available on any Internet-connected device. Their common aim is to offer faster, easier, access to downloaded, personal, or online content no matter the place or the time.

As they declared, the purpose is to develop a “seamless media experience” by making it easier for users to have access to BitTorrent downloads whether films, TV programs or music, and offer them the chance to enjoy all of that material, regardless the place, type of screen or audio system.

Joe Costello, CEO of Orb Networks addressed the matter of customer’s freedom of choice – “People are tired and frustrated with the constraints that the media world has imposed on their ability to consume their own media.”

Basically, BitTorrent makes possible to download the material and Orb provides access to the material in question from any device the user chooses to use.

To further emphasize the major step the two companies are taking with their partnership Doug Walker, CEO of BitTorrent, Inc. said that “BitTorrent is the most popular way to get branded content to your computer over the Internet, and Orb lets you enjoy any of your PC’s media anywhere you have an Internet connection.”

DOWNLOAD ORB

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Charlie Angus Introduces Net Neutrality Bill

May 29, 2008 by · Comments Off
Filed under: Announcements & Events, Legal P2P News & Issues 

After developing his private member’s net neutrality bill NDP MP Charlie Angus forwarded to the House of Commons yesterday afternoon. The major points this bill is intended to touch are transparency policy, net neutrality preservation, and open devices to the Canadian telecom law framework:

Network operators shall not engage in network management practices that favour, degrade or prioritize any content, application or service transmitted over a broadband network based on their source, ownership or destination.

However, there are a few important exceptions to this general rule specified in the bill, among which – action to ensure computer protection, allow priority to emergency communications, present differentiated pricing or bit caps, anti-spam filters, manage breaches in relation to the service, and to enforce the law.

A major aim of the bill is open devices and a larger level of transparency. It further stipulates that “network operators shall not prevent or obstruct a user from attaching any device to their network, provided the device does not physically damage the network or unreasonably degrade the use of the network by other subscribers.” Additionally, it requires that “network operators shall provide and make available to each user information about the user’s access to the Internet, including the speed, nature, and limitations of the user’s broadband service at any given time.” Though the bill may not be exactly on the liking of anti-net neutrality promoters it is a well-balanced solution worthy of consideration and backup.

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