3 Count: Brief Briefs

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1: Amicus Briefs Filed in Internet Archive Copyright Case

First off today, Andrew Albanese at Publishers Weekly reports that six separate amicus briefs have been filed with the Second Circuit Court of Appeals siding with publishers in their ongoing case against the Internet Archive.

The case was filed by a group of publishers in early 2020. The Internet Archive has long had a practice of scanning copies of physical books and then “lending” those copies out via their website. However, at the start of the pandemic, the Internet Archive removed all restrictions as part of their National Emergency Library initiative, making it so that the books could be accessed an unlimited number of times. This prompted the publishers to file the lawsuit challenging both the emergency library and the practice of controlled digital lending broadly.

The publishers won a key victory in the lower court, but the Internet Archive appealed the decision to the Second Circuit. Previously, a group of libraries and scholars submitted briefs in support of the Internet Archive. Now, a group of government officials, experts, authors and other rightsholders have filed their appeals, showing widespread support for the publishers. The Internet Archives reply brief is currently due on April 19.

2: Man Charged With Selling Illegal Streaming Devices at Sim Lim Square, Infringing Copyright of Disney, Netflix

Next up today, Lydia Lam at CNA reports that, in Singapore, a 36-year-old man has been arrested for suspicion of selling illegal streaming devices as well as offering services to install programs that allow customers to access copyright infringing content.

The man, Ge Zin, has been charged with 24 counts under the Copyright Act for selling the illegal streaming boxes. The move followed a raid on his two shops and represents one of the strongest uses of a September 2021 law that banned the sale of such boxes.

If convicted, Ge faces up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to S$100,000 ($74,000) per charge. His companies face fines of up to S$200,000 ($148,000) as well.

3: Live ‘Piracy Shield’ Data Exposed By New Platform Reveals Akamai IP

Finally today, Andy Maxwell at Torrentfreak writes that an unknown third party has begun leaking information about Italy’s new Piracy Shield system saying that being used to block access to legitimate content delivery network services, such as Akamai and Cloudflare.

The system, which launched late last year, has aims to provide real time blocking of pirated content on ISPs in Italy. However, the system has drawn widespread controversy for its alleged blocking of services used by non-pirate sites, including content delivery networks.

The system itself is not transparent, with the operators providing few details about what is blocked or why. However, now a third party has created Piracy Shield Search, a site that lets you check if an IP address or name has been blocked by the system. That tool has been used to show blocking of addresses connected with Akamai, as well as other content delivery network systems.

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