3 Count: Sony and AI

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

1: Sony Pictures CEO Announces Controversial Change to Films and TV Shows

First off today, Patrica Battle at TheStreet reports that Sony Pictures CEO Tony Vinciquerra has announced that the company will be looking to find more ways to produce movies and TV shows using artificial intelligence.

The move comes after unions representing actors and writers went on strike seeking new contracts. Both unions’ primary focus was preventing the use of AI to replace human workers.

However, according to Vinciquerra, “The biggest problem with making films today is the expense.” As such, they are looking at ways to use AI to reduce costs but blamed its recent decrease in operating income on higher marketing costs and increased theatrical releases.

2: Liverpool Man Sentenced for Selling ‘Pirate’ Firesticks on Facebook

Next up today, Ernesto Van der Sar at Torrentfreak writes that a 41-year-old man in Liverpool, England, has been given a two-year suspended sentence for selling “fully loaded” Firesticks on Facebook and other social media sites.

The man was sentenced for “supplying” content under the Fraud Act. He was also accused of promoting a business or service to circumvent technological measures. He was charged with promoting his offerings via private messages on Facebook and WhatsApp, often delivering the products in person.

Although he does not appear to be part of a more extensive operation, he still generated roughly £130,000 ($166,000) in revenue. In addition to selling the sticks themselves, he also sold a pirate subscription plan priced between £40 and £85 ($51 – $108) per year.

3: Kendrick Lamar Diss Track Reaction Videos Subject To Copyright Claims After All

Finally today, Lavender Alexandria at HotNewHipHop reports that, despite early reports to the contrary, the songs connected to the Kendrick Lamar/Drake battle are being copyright claimed on YouTube.

Last month, the two rappers engaged in a highly-publicized beef that included a series of diss tracks that came out in rapid succession. As the battle was dominating the news cycle, YouTubers began uploading the tracks to their channels, often to create reaction videos based on them.

Initially, none of those videos received any copyright claims and the YouTubers were allowed to keep the revenue earned from them. However, it is now reported that the Kendrick Lamar tracks are being claimed, causing YouTubers to either lose their revenue from the videos or receive a copyright strike.

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