Sometimes, Information Wants to Be Expensive — Jotwell reviews a recent paper by Jonathan Barnett, Three Quasi-Fallacies in the Conventional Understanding of Intellectual Property, which takes on the view that society would be better off with much-diminished IP rights. In it, Barnett “dispels what he considers three key assumptions – so-called quasi-fallacies – underlying the wisdom of IP minimalism. Instead of simply resorting to a conclusory ‘property-rights-are-valuable’ mode of critique, Barnett develops his compelling, economically grounded arguments using a variety of original case studies, data, and theoretical insights. Instead of attacking hypothetical strawmen, Barnett directly confronts the empirical claims of the minimalist camp.”
Supreme Court of Canada Orders Google to Block Pirate Website Worldwide — Stephen Carlisle looks at the decision from Canada’s top court this week in Google v Equustek Solutions, which upheld an order requiring Google to remove defendant’s websites (which were being used to sell counterfeit versions of plaintiff’s products) from its search index. What’s more, the order applies globally, not just within Canada.
Judgment Against Sci-Hub is a Win for Authors and Publishers — Kevin Madigan looks at the recent court decision awarding Elsevier significant damages in its case against Sci-Hub, which operated a site providing infringing journal articles.
‘Suing the Government Is Very Punk Rock:’ SONA Hosts Third Songwriters Summit as It Strategizes DOJ Lawsuit — Billboard reports, “Punk AF or not, SONA sued the DOJ last year following what it sees as the government’s unjust, inequitable and unconstitutional ruling in prohibiting fractional licensing which the group says will result in dramatically lower compensation for songwriters. The DOJ is currently attempting to have the suit dismissed while SONA is awaiting a judge’s decision on whether or not the dismissal hearing will proceed with oral arguments.”
Austin Composers Use Old Synthesizers for New Stranger Things Music — Is it October 31 yet?