3 Count: British Offensive

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1: MPs Attack Google’s ‘Derisory’ Efforts to Stop Music and Film Piracy

First off today, Josh Halliday at The Guardian reports that, in the UK, MPs in The Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committed criticized Google saying the search giant has not made adequate efforts to prevent or reduce piracy.

The MPs said that they had received numerous complaints from across creative industries about Google’s role in piracy and its perceived power to influence the UK government. In addition, new figures from the UK music organization BPI suggests that 61% of the top 10 sites in sample Google searchers for popular musicians are for pirated content, down only slightly from 63% a few years ago. This prompted the MPs to lash out at Google, blasting its efforts.

The MPs also called for efforts to implement the Digital Economy Act (DEA) to be sped up. The DEA was supposed to take effect years ago, enabling copyright holders to send warning letters through the ISPs of infringers, but the implementation has been held up due to logistical and legal issues.

2: Disney Sues Over Musical Featuring ‘Spider-Man,’ ‘Mary Poppins’ and ‘The Lion King’

Next up today, Eriq Gardner at The Hollywood Reporter Esquire reports that Disney has filed a lawsuit against a Pennsylvania theater group over it’s plans to produce a performance entitled “Broadway: Now and Forever”, which featured references from The Producers, Wicked, Jersey Boys and more.

Disney took issue with references in the play to “Mary Poppins”, “The Lion King” and “Spider-Man”, all of which are Disney-owned properties. The group, named Entertainment Theater Group, had billed the performance as a chance to see many of theater’s greatest moments in one play.

Disney is suing for copyright infringement, trademark infringement and unfair trade practices. They are seeking damages for willful infringement saying that the group has continued with their plans, even after being warned.

3: Portugal Next in Line to Block The Pirate Bay

Finally today, Ernesto at Torrentfreak writes that trade groups in Portugal are planning on going to court in hopes of getting an injunction that would require ISPs in the country to block access to The Pirate Bay.

Though the groups, which are backed by the major movie studios, say that they expect the court to accept the injunction, they are also working out technical and legal issues. Still, they plan on filing some time by the end of 2013.

If Portugal does block the site, it would be following in the footsteps of the UK and the Netherlands. If the site is blocked, would-be infringers would need a workaround, such as a VPN or a proxy, to access the site.

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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