By , February 08, 2013.

This week at Idea/Expression: Amici urge reversal in GSU digital coursepack case — A look at arguments raised by appellants and their supporters in Cambridge Univ Press v Becker.

Seven copyright principles for the digital era — The World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the Intellectual Property System has developed a series of principles that they hope will “provide a framework for addressing copyright in light of the many new technologies for creating, disseminating, and consuming content.” Check them out and see what you think.

Ad Networks Face Criticism for Pirate Placements — The Future of Music Coalition picks up on the growing story about brand-sponsored piracy. “It’s crucial that the legitimate digital marketplace continues to grow. It’s clear that in order for this to happen, there needs to be greater cooperation between all players in the online ecosystem.”

Where are the creators? Consider creators in copyright reform? — As part of a series/debate at Cato Unbound about copyright reform, Mark Schultz asks a pivotal question. “I am genuinely puzzled when copyright discussions treat creative works if they are a pre-existing resource that the government arbitrarily allocates. They are not. They aren’t an imaginary regulatory entitlement, such as pollution credits. They aren’t leases or mineral rights on public land handed out to political cronies. Creative works are, instead, the productive intellectual labor of private parties. Real people make this stuff.”

We Need Strong Copyright Laws Now More Than Ever — David Israelite of the National Music Publishers Association responds to Gary Shapiro’s bizarre rant that appeared in Forbes magazine last week.

Sirius/XM VS. A2IM Case Dismissed — The case involving allegations that A2IM wrote a blog telling its members to read Sirius’ contracts before signing them was settled and dismissed.

Compare & Contrast — David Newhoff digs into some of the curious companies advertising on and supporting sites like The Pirate Bay… and contrasts their self-proclaimed “internet freedom” mission with activists who are actually addressing problems in the real world. Very interesting read.

2 Comments

  1. I really like David Newhoff’s blog The Illusion of More. A lot of great, lucid insights from a creator. I think I was turned on to it from a previous “Friday’s Endnotes.” Thanks!

  2. Perhaps a more useful exercise concerning Cambridge v. Becker is to examine the trial court’s analysis of “fair use”. Without going into detail because it would require an inordinately long comment, I was struck by the trial court’s interpretation and application of each statutorily mandated factors, as well as the others untilized by the court. Small wonder that the DOJ has petitioned to file an amicus brief.