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1: RIAA Pushes Google, Verizon for Piracy Crackdown

First off today, even as the net neutrality debate heats up on the heels of a “compromise” proposal between Google and Verizon, the RIAA and twelve other groups representing musicians have stepped in asking that any legislation or compromise on the subject encourage ISPs to block illegal content and deter unlawful activity, including copyright infringement. This is not the first time copyright holders have interjected themselves into the net neutrality debate, the latest being in January when the RIAA asked the FCC to adopt “flexible” rules that enable filtering of infringing content.

2: ‘Innocent Infringer’ Copyright Defense for Downloaders Goes to U.S. Supreme Court

Next up today, in a move that was widely predicted, Charles Nesson has filed a brief with the Supreme Court on the case of Whitney Harper to the Supreme Court. Lower courts ruled that Harper was not an “innocent infringer” and thus not eligible for lower damages for trading files over file sharing networks including Kazaa though Harper, who was 16 at the time of the infringement, said she had no idea what she was doing was illegal. The Appeals Court ruled that copyright notices on the CDs were adequate notice even though the files were traded digitally. Nesson filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court to ask them to reverse the Appeals Court ruling, which in turn reversed the District Court’s ruling.

3: Copycats vs. Copyrights

Finally today, as the Innovative Design Protection and Piracy Prevention Act seeks to extend very limited copyright protection to the fashion industry, where no such protection exists currently, many are wondering if it is wise or even necessary as the U.S. has a thriving fashion industry without it. This article on Newsweek delves into the issue, looking at both sides of the debate and asks some very difficult questions about the role of copyright in the digital age.

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 Wednesday evening at 6 PM ET for the live recording of the Copyright 2.0 Show or wait and get the edited version Friday right here on Plagiarism Today.

The 3 Count Logo was created by Justin Goff and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License.

1: Verizon: We’re Not Cutting Off Users Over Copyright Claims

First off today, Verizon has issued a correction to yesterday’s article about them disconnecting repeat copyright infringers. According to them, the report resulted from a misunderstanding about what they could do, not what they are actively doing. Verizon now says they have not disconnected anyone for copyright violations and, at this time, has no plans to do so though they do reserve the right.

2: Conan O’Brien: Copyright Challenger

Next up, though Conan O’Brien’s war with his current employer NBC has been well-documented, there is a lesser-acknowledged copyright aspect. O’Brien has been running short sketches designed not to be funny but to be extremely expensive for NBC and both have involved using expensive copyrighted works, namely using the Rolling Stones’ song “Satisfaction” and playing restricted Super Bowl footage on the show alongside other extravagance, namely a Bugatti dressed as a mouse and the Kentucky Derby winner “Mine That Bird” dressed in a mink Snuggie respectively.

3: ‘Idol’ Sensation General Larry Says ‘Pants on the Ground’ Being Stolen

Finally today, General Larry Platt, who sang his original tune “Pants on the Ground” on an audition for American Idol is seeking representation after discovering that others are using his song without his permission. The video of Platt singing the song has gone viral and is one of the most widely viewed clips on the Web.

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.

1: Verizon Terminating Copyright Infringers’ Internet Access

Verizon is becoming the first ISP in the U.S. to officially announce that they are terminating repeat copyright infringers in a “graduated response” or “three strikes” system. Verizon would not say how many were being terminated but that the number was small. The RIAA and MPAA have pushed for such a system for some time but have not been able to get any deals, at least not publicly.

2: Web Hosting Firms Fined $32 Million For Supporting Copyright Violation

Next up, Louis Vuitton won a $32 million judgement (not a fine) against two California-based Web hosts, Akanoc Solutions Inc. and Managed Solutions Group Inc.for their hosting of sites that sold counterfeit Louis Vitton products. Though the DMCA could have protected them from the copyright aspects of the claim, the plaintiffs were able to show the hosts had actual knowledge of the infringement and failed to act when they were notified.

3: Leading Websites Promise to Fend Off Piracy

Finally, a group of some 101 popular Chinese Web sites have signed a pack to fight piracy by “acquiring copyrights before release, not spreading non-licensed works” and “adopting necessary techniques to prevent users from uploading films and TV programs that are being publicly screened or broadcast.” Though it unclear if the pact will have any impact, China has been a well-known haven for piracy and has been repeatedly criticized for lackluster copyright enforcement.

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.

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

1: Verizon Tests Sending RIAA Copyright Notices

First off today, Verizon, the United States’ second largest phone provider, has, according to sources, begun working with the RIAA to send out infringement notices to users who are accused of illegally sharing files. The notices, which will likely be similar to ones already passed on by AT&T and Cox, are sent by the record labels to the provider and are passed on by the company, in order to keep the customer information private.

This follows a similar deal from Disney in 2005 but, in that case, it was an exchange where Comcast received the rights to stream some 12 of Disney’s channels over its broadband network.

There is no word, as of yet, as to how many notices the RIAA plans to send and how, or if, it will follow up with those who do not comply with their notices. The test, however, began yesterday and marks a significant turn for Verizon, who had been known as one of the least cooperative ISPs in the RIAAs campaign to recruit their help in fighting piracy.

2: Pre-Release Music Piracy: Further Arrests, Exec Loses Job

Next up today, Torrentfreak has an update on the DV8 case. DV8 was a famous “scene” group of music pirates who were known for obtaining albums before they had been released and leaking them to the larger file sharing networks. Earlier this year, they were the subject of a police investigation and many of its members, including its alleged leader, were arrested.

The leader kept having his hearing pushed back, reportedly because investigators needed more time to build a case. He, however, has now been formally charged with “defrauding the music industry” though a related conspiracy charge appears to have been dropped.

Also, two more alleged members of the group have been arrested, including a writer at a music publication and, perhaps most surprisingly, an executive at a music company. Neither has been charged yet but the writer had his home raided some two weeks ago and the executive has, reportedly, been let go from his job.

All in all, it is just another chapter in the ongoing saga that is the DV8 piracy group.

3: Illegal Movie Download Forces Shutdown of Free Wi-Fi

Finally today, Coshocton County in Ohia has disconnect part of its municipal wifi after accusations that it was used to illegally download a movie. The county, as part of its larger wifi efforts, had provided free wifi on the block surrounding the county courthouse. However, after being notified by Sony pictures that someone had used the connection to download a movie, the county disconnected the service.

“It’s unfortunate that one person ruins it for those who use the service legitimately,” said Commissioner Gary Fisher.

The country had said that it had considered installing filtering technology to block illegal sites and certain services, but simply found the price tag, an estimated $2,000 for the equipment plus a $900 annual fee too much for the cash-strapped government.

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.