3 Count: 98% Done

This is daily column on Plagiarism Today where the site brings you three of the days biggest, most important copyright and plagiarism news links. If you want to offer your feedback on the column, use the contact form or just follow me on Twitter at @plagiarismtoday.

1: French net piracy bill signed off

First off today is the news that everyone has been talking about, the controversial “three strikes” bill passed in France yesterday, passing both houses of the legislature. The bill requires ISPs to disconnect file sharers after they have received three complaints (and been sent two warnings) for copyright infringement.

The bill, which was originally rejected when it was raised earlier, has also been criticized by the EU as a whole, who have refused to back disconnection legislation that does not involve a judge. Other countries will be watching how this law is applied closely as other nations are rumored to be considering similar legislation themselves.

However, most, including the UK, have roundly rejected the idea.

2: RealNetworks continues to develop DVD-copying device

Next up, RealDVD must be very confident in their case against the MPAA over their RealDVD application as the company is continuing to hire engineers for their new DVD player Facet, which rips and stores DVDs on an internal harddrive for easier playback.

RealDVD is a DVD ripping and storage application for computers that functions very similarly to Facet, save that Facet is a device for TVs. However, RealDVD attracted a currently-ongoing lawsuit as the MPAA felt the product was infringing and managed to get a restraining order prohibiting the sale of the product.

The two sides are expected to make closing arguments about lifting the ban later this month.

3: Chrono Trigger fan mod receives Cease-and-Desist letter from Square Enix

Finally today, fans of the Chrono Trigger video games will be very disappointed to know that a fan-made sequel to the game entitled Chrono Trigger: Crimson Echoes is no more. The game received a cease and desist letter from the makers of Chrono Trigger, Square Enix and the team behind the mod has ceased operations.

What makes this case unusual is that the fan-made mod had been in development since 2004 and was 98% complete according to its makers. Why Square Enix waited until now to file the notice? Where they unaware of the mod until recently or was there some other motive behind waiting until just before the game’s release?

Whatever the reason, the mod is dead now and all that remains are a couple of YouTube clips showing what might have been.

Suggestions

That’s it for the three count today, we’ll be back tomorrow with three more copyright links. If you have a link that you want to suggest a link for the column or have any proposals to make it better. Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email. I hope to hear from you.

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