3 Count: Try, Try Again

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1: RIAA and BPI Use “Pirated” Code on Their Websites

First off today Ernesto at Torrentfreak writes that sites operated by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) were both found to be using open source licensed code in violation of the terms of the license.

Both sites used open source scripts that were licensed under the MIT license, which makes the scripts available for reuse so long as the copyright notice stays intact. However, on the sites, the notices were stripped out.

Neither the RIAA nor the BPI responded to the incident but both sites fixed the problem within hours of being notified. The story follows similar allegations, and similar fixes, to the Healthcare.gov website, which allows people to register for health insurance as part of the Affordable Care Act in the U.S.

2: Copyright Levy for ISPs Violates EU Regulation, Belgian Government Says

Next up today, Loek Essers at PCWorld reports that the Belgian government, through their FPS Economy (Federal Public Service Economy) agency, is getting involved in an ongoing battle between royalty collection agency Sabam and various Belgian ISPs.

Sabam had sued the ISPs claiming that they owed levies, payments to rightsholders, for infringements by users. However, the Belgian government claims that such an argument violates European Union regulations and is suing Sabam to stop their lawsuit.

However, Sabam points out that the Belgian government has a majority stake in Belgacom, one of the ISPs involved, and that, according to Sabam, creates a conflict of interest. Opening arguments in the original lawsuit are scheduled for 2014.

3: Avatar’ Plagiarism Plaintiff Appeals Judge’s Disqualification Ruling

Finally today, Dave McNary at Variety reports that Eric Ryder, the author who claims James Cameron stole his idea for a movie to make “Avatar” has appealed a ruling by a judge not to disqualify herself from the case.

Ryder claims to have pitched the idea for the popular film to Cameron years prior to its release. However, when the judge ruled against Ryder, noting that there was evidence of “Avatar” being a project well before Ryder and Cameron worked together, Ryder asked the judge to disqualify herself, claiming that her husband was an employee at Fox and that she had a stake in the outcome of the case.

However, the judge denied that request saying that her husband was only an independent contractor and that the timing of the objection, after a verdict had been reached, was improper. Ryder is now appealing that denial

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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