Topic: Copyright and Fair Use Issues

Google releases data on piracy, takes copyright infringement pretty seriously

Ever wondered what Google does when copyright holders complain their work is being pirated? Now we know. On Thursday, Google released a huge amount of data on how it responds to copyright-related takedown requests.

Five things Ron Paul wants from the Republican National Convention

It looks as if Ron Paul is going to be an active participant in the Republican National Convention in Tampa this August.  Here’s our take on the five things Paul hopes to gain from staying within his party’s tent in 2012.

Digital Rights Managment to be dropped by Tor and other Macmillan sci-fi books

Digital Rights Management software was originally meant to restrict pirating of e-books, but many complain because of the restrictions it places on users.

More than 30,000 Germans turn out against anti-piracy treaty ACTA

ACTA, a controversial international anti-piracy agreement that has riled up Europe, brought out huge crowds in Germany and split top government officials. 

Kim Dotcom: Are such Internet sensations pirates or hactivists?

Copyright law and its enforcement have dominated the news lately, first with the Internet blackout protests against SOPA, and more recently with the arrest of Kim Dotcom in New Zealand. Here are five international file-share players who have been targets of copyright enforcement.

If feds can bust Megaupload, why bother with anti-piracy bills?

A growing battle over copyright on the internet came to a head this week as digital protests scuttled two anti-piracy bills, police arrested Megaupload's millionaire filesharing pirate, and hackers brought down the Department of Justice website.

US files charges against Megaupload in 'largest copyright case'

US prosecutors say that the video-sharing site Megaupload.com cost the US entertainment industry $500 million. Online activists worry the US case could stifle Internet freedoms around the world.

Department of Justice closes piracy conduit. Is SOPA needed?

Department of Justice conducted a two-year investigation of MegaUpload before closing it down. So why does the Department of Justice need new antipiracy laws like SOPA? 

Feds shut down file-sharing website Megaupload

An indictment accuses Megaupload.com of costing copyright holders more than $500 million in lost revenue from pirated films and other content.

PIPA and SOPA: What you need to know

As PIPA and SOPA work their way through Congress, the controversial bills have raised many questions. The most common: Wait, what are PIPA and SOPA?

SOPA and PIPA protest power: why Marco Rubio backed off piracy bill

Sen. Marco Rubio was one of the original co-sponsors of the Senate's anti-piracy bill, but he reversed course Wednesday amid a flurry of protests against PIPA and SOPA.

Five major SOPA supporters

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and its Senate counterpart, the Protect IP Act or PIPA, would allow the US government to seek a court order and even shut down websites that contain content or links “committing or facilitating online piracy.”  Moreover, advertisers and Internet service providers would be banned from doing business with violators.

However, payment and advertising networks, search engines or service providers that take voluntary action to redress detected violations – by terminating businesses with transgressor sites or comply with the law – will be granted immunity from liability charges.

On Sept. 22, 2011, more than 350 trade associations, professional and labor organizations, and businesses signed a letter urging Congress to enact legislation to stop “rogue sites” from copyright infringement.

Here are five key SOPA and PIPA supporters:

Would SOPA and PIPA bills 'break Internet?' Anti-piracy measure being revised.

On the verge of passage in Congress, the SOPA and PIPA bills targeting online piracy have been bounced back for revision in the face of a public outcry and high-profile Internet protests.

Why Google and Twitter didn't join the SOPA blackout

Wikipedia, Reddit, and other sites are blacked out in protest of the SOPA anti-piracy bills. Why didn't Google and Twitter join the blackout?

SOPA blackout: What happened to Wikipedia?

Wikipedia is offline today. Here's why. 

Wikipedia blackout: Why even supporters question anti-SOPA move

The Wikipedia blackout is intended to spotlight the value of open access to information on the Internet, but also underlies how fractious the move is, drawing fire from both critics and supporters.

How five websites are protesting SOPA

Five major websites will go dark on Wednesday protesting two Congressional bills, which critics argue could curtail Internet and free speech.    

If passed, The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and its Senate counterpart, the Protect IP Act or PIPA, would allow the US government to seek a court order and even shut down websites that contain content or links to unauthorized copyrighted content.  Moreover, advertisers and Internet service providers would be banned from doing business with transgressors.

Proponents of the legislation include companies that are trying to protect their copyrights, such as the Motion Picture Association of America, The NBA, Pfizer, Nike, L'Oreal, as well as the US Chamber of Commerce, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the US Conference of Mayors.

However,  voices of opposition include Internet giants Google, Yahoo!, Facebook, Twitter, eBay, Mozilla, and Wikipedia – who say that the proposed laws constitute a First Amendment violation, promote censorship, and harm the democratic flow of information.  Check out how five major websites plan to protest SOPA and PIPA:

Wikipedia blackout: Site to protest SOPA

Wikipedia blackout is scheduled to occur Wednesday and last for 24 hours. A Wikipedia blackout would add heft to protests against the Stop Online Piracy Act.

SOPA Internet bill: Newspapers and op-ed writers pile on

Last week, tech companies such as Google and Yahoo spoke out against SOPA and PIPA, two bills aimed at cracking down on online copyright infringement in a way that some call overbearing. Now, with newspapers running more pieces critical of the legislation, the opposition could intensify.

European Court: Internet providers can't be forced to monitor users

The European Court of Justice overturned a Belgian court's injunction in what experts say is a victory for Internet providers and users over proponents of tighter copyright controls online.

SOPA fight over 'Internet censorship' attracts Yahoo, Google

SOPA "jeopardizes" Internet business, claim Twitter, Google, Yahoo and others. The SOPA bill amounts to "Internet censorship," some argue.

Authors take aim at Google Books with a lawsuit against five US universities

An international group of writers are suing five American universities for copyright infringement – and sending a warning to Google Books.

Can media piracy be stopped?

Media piracy is rampant in emerging economies. A new study looks at how it can be controlled.

Elvis Presley Enterprises continues to sue long after Elvis has left the building

Elvis Presley Enterprises is suing men in Florida, England, Wales, and elsewhere for infringement of intellectual property rights after circulation of box sets not authorized by Elvis Presley Enterprises.