3 Count: Dropped Boxes

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1: Google Challenges Oracle Copyright Claim

First off today, Thomas Claburn at InformationWeek reports that the trial between Google and Oracle is in full swing with both sides making arguments on the critical issue of the copyrightability of APIs, interfaces that applications use to talk to each other, and a patent ruling may pose a serious setback for Google. In the case, Oracle filed suit against Google claiming that the search giant infringed on copyrights and patents in their implementation of JAVA in the mobile Android operating system. On the patent front of the case, Oracle won a victory when the US Patent and Trademark Office accepted a JAVA patent previously deemed invalid, making it eligible for damages in the case. Google is expected to challenge that patent’s acceptance.

2: Ultraviolet Code Crackdown Starting on eBay

Next up today, Todd Rigney at WebProNews writes that eBay has begun pulling down auctions that attempt to sell Ultraviolet codes for movies. Ultraviolet is a DRM/cloud delivery system that allows users who own the code to view the film on many different devices via the Web. Most commonly, the codes come bundled with physical disc purchases. Some eBay users have taken to selling their unused codes but eBay, at least in some cases, has been pulling the auctions down. The reason appears to be because the codes are distributed under a license that only allows the original purchaser to use them, meaning that they can not be resold. However, the issue raises serious questions about the resale of digital goods.

3: Dropbox Adds Link File-Sharing; Welcome to the Megaupload Club

Finally today, Zack Whittaker at ZDNet writes that cloud file hosting, sharing and synchronization service Dropbox has announced a new feature that makes it easy to share any file on line, simply by clicking a link. However, many are wondering if Dropbox may be putting itself at risk and opening its service up to be abused by pirates. Since the file links can be shared with anyone, including on forums, the fear is that Dropbox could become a pirate haven, prompting action by major copyright holders and/or the government. Dropbox has countered saying that it takes these issues seriously and, in addition to placing copyright flags on every page, also limits bandwidth closely.

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.

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