Library of Congress and the DCMA
This Copyright Office notice of inquiry seeks comments by December 18, 2002 on the “exemption to the prohibition on circumvention of copyright protection systems for access control technologies.”
Impediments to Digital Rights Controls
An interesting interview with Jeffrey Hunker, dean of the H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management at Carnegie Mellon University that focuses on what is at stake in the battle over digital rights management from the perspective of consumers and industry. Privacy, security, and revenue are key factors.
Internet Access for Section 8 Housing Residents
The Community Technology Network Project (CTNP) is a joint program by the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the New Internet Computer Company (NIC) to provide thousands of Section 8 housing residents with free access to the Web and e-mail. The press release on this program is here.
UAE Minister Criticizes Internet Censorship
This story via Reuters offers insight into the role that the Internet is playing in countries where censorship is commonplace.
Ohio Public Records Online
Looking for links to public records for the seven counties in Northeast Ohio. Click here. See also Ohio – Online Access to Court Records, and my previous post on September 27.
Lessig on Lessig: The Oral Argument
See Lawrence Lessig’s blog for a first person narrative about his Supreme Court experience.
Editorials on Eldred v. US
An Abuse of Copyright and Abusing copyright power.
State Impediments to E-Commerce
Testimony by the FTC before the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection Committee on Energy and Commerce on September 26 is here, and the agency’s follow-up workshop, Possible Anticompetitive Efforts to Restrict Competition on the Internet, held October 8-10, provides additional documentation.
Lifting of Copyright Restrictions for Distance Learning
The Senate and the House have approved DOJ spending via The 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act that now awaits the President’s signature. Bundled into this authorization is a revision to Section 110(2) of the U.S. Copyright Act, called the Educational Use Copyright Exemption. The title of the Senate version is “Technology, Education …
California Campaign Finance Database
The California Secretary of State’s website has an extensive, searchable database called Cal-Access that allows users to easily locate up-to-date campaign finance information from candidates, donors and lobbyists.
Online Property Records Controversy
Some government officialsin Waukesha County, Wisconsin are re-evaluating their decision to provide online access to property records via their website . The privacy and safety of homeowners are at issue, but others argue that restricting this information amounts to censorship and a violation of the state’s open records law.
Colleges and Universities Discourage File Sharing
Students are taxing the capacity of high speed Internet connections provided by their colleges and universities through unrestricted downloading, without appropriate permissions or fees, of audio, video and text files. The ubiquitous RIAA has informed college presidents about the “theft of copyrighted works that is plaguing college campuses.” The associations representing college and university presidents …