3 Count: RI-Double Down

Jonathan BaileyAugust 21, 2012

2 minutes read

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

1: RIAA Revenue Dwindles As Labels Cut Back

First off today, Ernesto at Torrentfreak is reporting that the RIAA, according to its latest tax returns, for the 2010/2011 fiscal year, has seen a severe drop in its revenue, down from $51.35 million two years prior to $29.1 million in that filing. However, much of the decline can be attributed to a severe scaling back in legal expenses, down over $14 million in that time, which in turn was likely caused by the the RIAA ceasing its campaign to sue individual file sharers. The RIAA also shrunk in terms of personnel, down from 117 to 72 people in the same time frame. However, the amount the RIAA spent on lobbying, about $2.3 million remained largely unchanged. The RIAA receives its funding from the four major record labels and is owned by them.

2: Copyright Law Review Paper Delves Into Cloud

Next up today, Spandas Lui at ZDNet reports that the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) has released a new consultation paper entitled “Copyright and the Digital Economy” that seeks feedback from the public on ways to update the country’s copyright law for the digital age. The ALRC is an independent statutory organization in Australia that advices on legal reform. Specifically, the ALRC wants to hear about if and how Australia’s copyright law is impeding cloud-computing services and if changes can be made to accommodate the sector. However, the paper says that any new exemptions should not permit the use of cloud services for infringing activity and that discussions regarding safe harbor rules for cloud services is beyond the scope of the paper. The paper comes after a Federal court in the country shuttered cell phone network Optus’ TV streaming service, Optus Now, as part of a lawsuit by local sports leagues. Submissions to the ALRC close November 16.

3: Journalist Accused of Plagiarism Leaves Yale Board

Finally today, the Associated Press is reporting that CNN and Time reporter/editor Fareed Zakaria has resigned from his position on Yale University’s governing board in a bid to reduce his work load and focus on his journalism efforts. Zakaria recently was accused of plagiarizing content for a Time magazine column and was suspended from both CNN and Time for it. However, they both reinstated Zakaria shortly after saying that a review of his work had shown the incident to be isolated. Zakaria apologized for the plagiarism after it was revealed and blamed it, in part, on his heavy work load working for so many organizations.

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.