The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) successfully sued Jamie Thomas for sharing twenty-four mp3s on p2p network Kazaa. The jury awarded the major labels represented by the RIAA $80,000 per song, totaling 1.92 million dollars.
Thomas is going to continue the fight, and said that this case is “one for the RIAA, not the end of the war.” She also commented on the damages: “Good luck trying to get it from me… it’s like squeezing blood from a turnip.” Continue reading...
The Copyright Alliance has launched the Copyright Alliance Education Foundation that will develop educational programs, and has already distributed a “copyright curriculum” for educators at the West Potomac Academy in Virginia. From the Alliance’s web site:
Read more...“Our nation has reaped the rewards both culturally and economically of the principle and practice of copyright,” said Patrick Ross, Copyright Alliance Executive Director. “This system has served us well for centuries - so much so, that it has become an invisible underpinning in our country’s prosperity. Now, as a new generation of creators populates today’s classrooms, we must ensure that principle is not taken for granted and continues to be a foundation for creative success.”
File sharing has received much criticism over the past few months, but it’s also garnering support. This afternoon, the French Assembly postponed voting on the “three-strikes” measure against repeat file sharers until next week, because Socialist deputies have presented amendments that the Assembly must examine.
In the meantime, a survey conducted by the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter found that over five per cent of 1,500 people surveyed said they would support the Swedish Pirate Party. Since the minimum for a seat in European Parliament is four per cent, the party might have a chance in the upcoming elections in June. Continue reading...
The European Parliament has voted to lengthen sound recording copyright to 70 years, up from the previous limit of 50 years. If the proposal is passed by the EU states in the European Council to become a law, artists like The Beatles and the Rolling Stones will continue to receive royalties on recordings for another 20 years.
Sir Cliff Richard, Roger Daltrey and Sir Paul McCartney are among the many musicians who argued in favor of the proposal. However, British singers Paul McCartney, Elton John and Mick Jagger lost millions of their personal fortunes last year due to the economic crisis, so it’s possible that they are looking to compensate for their losses with the new EU law. Continue reading...
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