Friday, December 12, 2003

Commentary: DOS attack--paying for others' problems [CNET News.com - Front Door] 9:55:18 PM    comment []

Raking virtual muck in "The Sims Online". What happens when a virtual newspaper covering virtual events runs afoul of a real corporation? [Salon Headlines] 9:48:36 PM    comment []

deCSS trial news: Verdict in 'DVD Jon' appeal expected Dec. 22. The Oslo Court of Appeals (Borgarting lagmannsrett) heard closing arguments Wednesday and Thursday in the trial of Jon Lech Johansen, also known as "DVD Jon." A verdict is expected on Dec. 22. [InfoWorld: Top News] 9:41:26 PM    comment []

Rolling Stone interviews Steve Jobs. [Scripting News] 9:37:50 PM    comment []

Attack on SCO sites at an end. The controversial company's Web site and file servers are back online after being hit by a denial-of-service attack that cut off access for almost two days. [CNET News.com - Front Door] 9:04:08 PM    comment []

A mobile revolution in China. An interesting article published in The Star on cell phone subscribers in China, who have been quietly leading a mobile revolution. The officially Communist country, which once discouraged private citizens from owning luxury items such as telephones, hit a milestone at end-November when it became one of few markets to boast more mobile phone subscribers than fixed-line users.  While operators in more developed economies struggle to grow in saturated markets, China's mobile users are likely to double to 500 million by 2007, surpassing the population of the United States. [Smart Mobs] 9:00:57 PM    comment []

The Canadian Copyright Board released its much anticipated private copying decision this morning. Michael Geist writes: Ultimately, four key take-homes in my view. First, the P2P elements of the decision and the view of the board that private copying can cover online music downloading in certain circumstances. Second, personal computer hard drives are very much on the table for future tariffs. Third, ruling that zero rating is outside the board's jurisdiction will infuriate a whole host of groups including universities, broadcasters, etc. and create an even greater challenge next time round. Fourth, the Copyright board essentially acknowledges that tariffs that are too high will distort the marketplace and create grey market. They opt not to do that, but in the process are likely distorting the copyright market itself by not providing full compensation for copying. Key findings: 1. The decision addresses head on the issue P2P copying. It is clearly the Board's view that the private copying exemption does not apply to uploading or making available music. At the same time, it is clearly of the view that it does apply to downloading of music provided that it is for personal use and that it is copied to media covered *or potentially covered* by the regime. This importantly means that copying to a personal computer hard drive is covered. Note also that the board does not believe that it matters where the original comes from -- they are concerned only with end copying. 2. The board is well aware of the prospect for the levy to cover computer hard drives. It notes that the CPCC hasn't asked for that this time, but could in the future. Given the huge policy issues associated with such a move, it recommends that Canadian policy makers examine the issue. 3. The board talks again about the value of a private copy. It remains of the view that private copies (explicitly including MP3s) are not of the same value as the original CD. This has an impact on the size of the levy. 4. The board also talks about TPMs. It notes the policy debate but says that it is outside the scope of the current decision. It does not, however, that widespread TPM use could have the effect of reducing the levy. 5. On the size and scope of the levy itself -- - CD-R and CD-RW stay the same -- attributed to no clear evidence - no DVD-R -- music copying not the predominant use - MP3 players -- create tariff but well below request of CPCC The board acknowledges the effect of the levy on the market and discusses grey market issues which it believes may exist. 6. Removal of the zero-rating system -- the Board wants this dealt with by Parliament, not a private collective. A more couple of comments -- 1. CPCC and the copyright holders will likely be unhappy with this decision. They've made only marginal gains (MP3 players) and had other media such as DVD-R and removable media exempted. 2. The zero rating decision will also leave the CPCC unhappy -- it means that many other currently exempted groups such as universities, broadcasters, etc. -- will no longer be covered for future tariff settings (post 2004). This will likely be challenged. 5:47:32 PM    comment []

The Canadian Copyright Board released its much anticipated private copying decision this morning. Michael Geist writes: Ultimately, four key take-homes in my view. First, the P2P elements of the decision and the view of the board that private copying can cover online music downloading in certain circumstances. Second, personal computer hard drives are very much on the table for future tariffs. Third, ruling that zero rating is outside the board's jurisdiction will infuriate a whole host of groups including universities, broadcasters, etc. and create an even greater challenge next time round. Fourth, the Copyright board essentially acknowledges that tariffs that are too high will distort the marketplace and create grey market. They opt not to do that, but in the process are likely distorting the copyright market itself by not providing full compensation for copying. Key findings: 1. The decision addresses head on the issue P2P copying. It is clearly the Board's view that the private copying exemption does not apply to uploading or making available music. At the same time, it is clearly of the view that it does apply to downloading of music provided that it is for personal use and that it is copied to media covered *or potentially covered* by the regime. This importantly means that copying to a personal computer hard drive is covered. Note also that the board does not believe that it matters where the original comes from -- they are concerned only with end copying. 2. The board is well aware of the prospect for the levy to cover computer hard drives. It notes that the CPCC hasn't asked for that this time, but could in the future. Given the huge policy issues associated with such a move, it recommends that Canadian policy makers examine the issue. 3. The board talks again about the value of a private copy. It remains of the view that private copies (explicitly including MP3s) are not of the same value as the original CD. This has an impact on the size of the levy. 4. The board also talks about TPMs. It notes the policy debate but says that it is outside the scope of the current decision. It does not, however, that widespread TPM use could have the effect of reducing the levy. 5. On the size and scope of the levy itself -- - CD-R and CD-RW stay the same -- attributed to no clear evidence - no DVD-R -- music copying not the predominant use - MP3 players -- create tariff but well below request of CPCC The board acknowledges the effect of the levy on the market and discusses grey market issues which it believes may exist. 6. Removal of the zero-rating system -- the Board wants this dealt with by Parliament, not a private collective. A more couple of comments -- 1. CPCC and the copyright holders will likely be unhappy with this decision. They've made only marginal gains (MP3 players) and had other media such as DVD-R and removable media exempted. 2. The zero rating decision will also leave the CPCC unhappy -- it means that many other currently exempted groups such as universities, broadcasters, etc. -- will no longer be covered for future tariff settings (post 2004). This will likely be challenged. 5:47:27 PM    comment []

Readers still want Sex: While Madonna's racy photo album is the best-selling out-of-print title on the Internet, Rebecca Caldwell also discovers a guide to Aran knitting, in The Globe and Mail. 5:47:19 PM    comment []

Virginia Nabs Two Big Spammers. Two prolific spammers from North Carolina are facing four felony charges for sending thousands of unsolicited e-mail pitches. Each count under Virginia's tough antispam law carries up to five years in prison and fines of up to $2,500. [Wired News] 6:31:31 AM    comment []

You are where you give. The Real Color of Money tells the story about how much dough flows from your zip code to the pockets of pols. Interesting data. Try lookups foryour area -- or any area -- at the CoM site. [The Doc Searls Weblog] 6:15:18 AM    comment []

You know about Friendster, of course. Do you know Introvertster? Introvertster is an online community that prevents stupid people and friends from harrassing you online. You can use Introvertster to: Avoid invites to chat, filter out annoying invitations for Meetup, birthday parties, or after- hours get togethers. Packet flood a friends Internet connection making it impossible for them to send you an instant message. Help your friends get a clue that you really don't like people or care for idle chit-chat. Create your own barrier to protect yourself against interaction with people. It's easy and fun! 4:36:59 AM    comment []