3 Count: Don’t Copy That 2

Got any suggestions for the 3 Count. Let me know via Twitter @plagiarismtoday.

1: Microsoft: Google Books is illegal ‘joint venture,’ not settlement

First off today, Microsoft has filed a much-anticipated objection to the Google Book Search settlement, saying that it amounts to an illegal “joint venture” not a settlement to a legal matter.

According to Microsoft, the settlement, which would allow Google to scan and post in-copyright but out-of-print works in its search engine in exchange for a share of revenue to writers and publishers, is anti-competitive and against the law. Specifically Microsoft objected that the settlement would cover future infringements as well as prior ones, gives Google vast rights that are not in the law itself and publishers have side deals with Google that have led some to exclude their own works from the deal while negotiating for others.

Microsoft highlights that the law firm for the plaintiffs, Publishers and the Author’s Guild, even called the deal as a joint venture rather than a mere settlement, something that it hopes will provide it with ammunition to stop the settlement from going through.

2: Last chance for input on copyright legislation

Next up today, if you’re a Canadian wanting to comment on impending new copyright legislation, you need to do so quickly. The cross country townhalls are over and the deadline for filing your comments is this Sunday.

You can file your comments online here as well as read comments posted by others.

Canada is looking to update its copyright code, which was last updated before the Internet became common.

3: Don’t Copy That 2

Finally today, something a bit more lighthearted. The famous anti-software PSA Don’t Copy That Floppy has become something of an Internet Meme for its bad nineties rapping and out of date technology. However, the Software and Information Industry Association has released a sequel, Don’t Copy That 2, which you can view at the link above.

The video is an update and a follow up to the first, using the same rapper but updating the message for modern technology and changing the look of the video to be somewhat more modern. Though it is still more than a little bit comical, featuring dancing Klongons and a scene where agents arrest a teen’s mother, the humor seems to be more intentional this time around.

In the end, all you can do is watch the video and judge for yourself.

Suggestions

That’s it for the three count today. We will 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.

Want the Full Story?

Tune in every Saturday morning for the live recording of the Copyright 2.0 Show or wait and get the edited version Monday morning right here on Plagiarism Today.