3 Count: One Year

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1: After a Year in the Grave, can SOPA and Protect IP Return?

First off today. Declan McCullagh at CNET reports that today marks the one-year anniversary of the online protests against the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA) that resulted in the two acts being shelved.

WIth the one-year anniversary, which many have begun to call “Internet Freedom Day” many are wondering what is next for copyright legislation in the US. CNET has thoughts from both pro and anti-SOPA/PIPA forces, which indicate that, for copyright holders, the year has been more about forming cooperative agreements rather than new legislation.

However, many still worry about agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which also may have copyright reform elements and the potential for future copyright legislation.

2: Details Emerge on Sequel to Megaupload Service

Next up today, the BBC reports that it is also very close to the one-year anniversary of the seizure and closure of Megaupload and Kim Doctom, the founder and owner of the site, will be launching his new service, Mega, on January 20th.

Few details about the new service are known but Dotcom has said that the service will include encryption to protect user files and will offer users 50 GB of free storage, far more than other cloud storage competitors.

Dotcom, who is still facing extradition to the US for his role in Megaupload, has already begun a party for the launch of Mega, which featured events at his mansion in New Zealand.

3: Copyright Claim Against 50 Cent Doesn’t ‘Cut the Dope’

Finally today, Jacob Gershman at The Wall Street Journal reports that the Third Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a lower court order dismissing a copyright infringement lawsuit filed against the rapper 50 Cents.

50 Cents was sued by Shadrach Winstead, an author who claimed that 50 Cents had illegally used plot elements and language from his autobiography in 50 Cent’s album “Before I Self-Destruct” and a companion film by the same name. However, the courts found that the similarities were too common or were not protectable under copyright, dismissing the case.

Winstead’s attorneys are said to be looking to appeal the case to the Supreme Court.

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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