What does Google’s counsel Daralyn Durie do for an encore after union-busting fails in Google Books? Argue that scanning 20 million books, lyrics, illustrations, photographs, etc., is fair use. You should understand that what Google does in the books case is exactly what they are going to do in the YouTube class action which is […]

And, oh, by the way— This is a Google search from today for the term “buy oxycontin online no prescription”.  As you will see, top of the search results are “cheapoxycontin.org” (registered in the Ukraine) and “floridapillmill.com” (registered in China).  Repeat after me, Google is full of bull. Oh, and don’t worry–the Fat Cat Signal […]

As Google brings its snow cannon to bear on the European Commission’s antitrust investigation, a couple of suggestions for meaningful change that would increase competition in the market.  (These are also appropriate suggestions for US regulators.) Sale of YouTube:  Google should be forced to sell YouTube for several reasons. 1.  Google has subsidized YouTube from […]

By last count, Google has way more than two lobbyists or consultants per member of Congress.  So what does Google need in addition to Net Coalition, the CCIA, Public Knowledge, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and millions upon millions in registered lobbyists?  According to reports: A new trade group representing the interests of Internet companies is set […]

Rumor has it that the antitrust chief for the European Union is about to reach a settlement with Google for a variety of horribles.  That’s the good news.  There is bad news, but it’s unclear who the bad news is for:  Google is not treating its problems with the EU as what’s called “material” in […]

As The Trichordist noted in the July 16th post, the White House Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Victoria Espinel has issued a call to the public to file comments with her office about the US intellectual property laws.  If you care about artist rights, this is a good time to tell Victoria Espinel what you think.  […]

One of the funniest anecdotes of Tweets about the copyleft’s “break the Internet” mantra is attributed to Ana Marie Cox (the brilliant founder of the Wonkette blog) who summed it all up: “It is starting to look like my ‘but I can’t file a piece today, the INTERNET IS BROKEN’ excuse will work afterall. #sopa” — […]

Originally posted on The Trichordist:
In our ongoing series the Wall of Shame showing advertising by major brands appearing on sites hosting unlicensed music and illegally exploiting the rights of artists, this one really spoke to us. BMW advertising appears on the site mp3crank for the unlicensed album download of the critically acclaimed “Drive” Soundtrack. Given…

Has anyone ever said to you, “What I really need is a good way to use other people’s works without paying them?”  Or, “What would really save the [music/photography/movie/news] business is a good orphan works law.” I thought not. So how in the world did this orphan works thing get started? The Origins of the […]

This is a great video that was made at the time of Google’s last big effort to jam through an orphan works regime.  All artists should be aware of these issues and the way that companies like Google intends to twist the law to their benefit.  Because Google has an extraordiary influence in the UK […]