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Hollywood Illegally Demands Money From Irish Playschools
A company collecting royalties on behalf of Hollywood studios has illegally demanded payments from kindergartens in Ireland. The MPLC requested 10 Euros ($14.00) per child per annum, so that they can watch DVDs legally. However, by doing so they breached the 2000 Copyright Act since MPLC failed to register with the Patent Office.
We have recently reported on the situation in the UK where charities and even police forces are threatened with legal action for playing music within earshot of the general public. Hollywood is no stranger to strict royalty collection activities either, and has stooped to a new low.
The Motion Picture Licensing Company (MPLC), which is charged with collecting royalties for the big studios, recently wrote to 2,500 kindergartens (or playschools as they are known in Ireland), informing them that it is illegal for the kids there to watch DVDs without an appropriate license.
According to The Times, the letter was sent with the knowledge of the Irish Preschool Play Association (IPPA), which represents many schools populated by around 50,000 kids between 3 and 5 years of age. The IPPA had worked out a deal with the Hollywood representatives, and eventually managed to get the royalties down to 3 euros per child.
Despite the lowered fee, most kindergarten owners were stunned by the request. Paula Doran, who runs a playschool in Dublin, said that the only time the kids hardly watch any DVDs at the kindergarten. “We would rarely show DVDs anyway because it’s frowned upon — kids get enough TV at home,” she said. In fact, the only time the kids are allowed to watch a DVD is when they are pretending to go to the cinema, a learning activity that Hollywood would fully endorse. Doran said she couldn’t understand how the MPLC could be acting legally, and refused to pay.
It turned out that she was absolutely right not to pay. The MPLC actually failed to register with the Irish Patent Office, and by demanding payments in the way they have, breached the 2000 Copyright Act. A spokesman from the IPO confirmed that an organization that acts in this manner could be fined or have its staff jailed.
The MPLC belatedly applied for a license to collect the royalties on Friday. It’s never too late to learn, or for the kids, never too early to start filling Hollywood’s pockets. A company collecting royalties on behalf of Hollywood studios has illegally demanded payments from kindergartens in Ireland. The MPLC ... more -
Country Fast Facts: Ireland
Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600-150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014.
English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions.
A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the UK.
In 1948 Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973.
Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland is being implemented with some difficulties.
In 2006, the Irish and British governments developed and began working to implement the St. Andrews Agreement, building on the Good Friday Agreement approved in 1998. Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600-150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended w... more -
The Irish will be the death of the Euro?
Ireland’s decision to guarantee all bank deposits will contribute to the demise of the single European currency, because it will erode the euro’s credibility if it’s allowed to go ahead, Hugh Hendry, chief investment officer and Partner at Eclectica Fund, told CNBC on Thursday.
The plan pledges to guarantee the liabilities of six Irish-owned banks totaling some 400 billion euros ($565 billion), more than twice the country’s annual gross domestic product.
“The decision, if left to stand … my prophecy is it will bring down the currency. The euro is not a tenable currency if you have politicians making such decisions. The reality is there is no such thing as a free lunch,” Hendry told “Squawk Box Europe.”
“If I was German, I would say give me back my Deutschmarks,” he added.
On Thursday, Irish lawmakers backed the plan and the government said it may be extended to foreign banks with retail units in Ireland, but it has raised questions in Brussels and London about competition and state-aid rules.
Promises of lavish spending such as this and others being discussed in Europe will erode investors’ confidence, Hendry warned.
“McDonalds has got less chance of going bust than the British government,” he said. “When our government comes to issue this sea of money they’re going to pay through the nose … if we can’t constrain that behavior, we’re going to pay for it.” Ireland’s decision to guarantee all bank deposits will contribute to the demise of the single European currency, because it will erode... more -
Comedian's 'stage rage' investigated by police.
Lee Hurst, the stand-up comedian, has become the latest performer to succumb to "stage rage" when he launched a tirade against an audience member who had the audacity to send a text message during a gig in Guildford, Surrey.
Hurst, 46, reportedly saw red when he believed someone in the audience was secretly filming his gig on a mobile phone. Lee Hurst, the stand-up comedian, has become the latest performer to succumb to "stage rage" when he launched a tirade again... more -
Ireland first euro-zone nation to fall into recession
Ireland has become the first country in the eurozone to slip into recession, official figures showed today.
According to the Central Statistics Office, the country's once-booming economy shrank by 0.3% in the first quarter of the year and by 0.5% in the second. The technical definition of a recession is two or more consecutive quarters of contraction. The European commission thinks that Germany and Spain could be next.
Britain is also teetering on the brink of recession. Andrew Sentance, a member of the Bank of England's monetary policy committee, said last night all the "evidence suggests that the economy could start to contract in the second half of this year or in early 2009, giving us one or more quarters of negative growth over this period".
But he added that the downturn was likely to be "much milder" than the last major recessions in the mid-1970s, early-1980s and early-1990s, during which economic activity slumped for one to two years.
Another MPC member, Kate Barker, warned today: "The latest developments in financial markets have now increased the downside risks. There are real dangers that the impact of these will be a downturn in the economy which is unnecessarily large, and would therefore result in a large undershoot of the inflation target." She predicted lending by UK banks would remain constrained for a "considerable period".
Dubbed the Celtic Tiger during the late 1990s, the Irish economy is now facing its toughest time since being hit by high unemployment and emigration in the 1980s.
"All in all, it is clear that the Irish boom has well and truly turned to bust. And with the European Central Bank fretting about inflation concerns elsewhere in the euro zone, there is little help on the immediate horizon," said Jonathan Loynes, chief European economist at Capital Economics. He reckons that house prices, which have tumbled 14% from their peak, have much further to fall.
Ireland's finance department pointed to the crumbling property market and the global credit crunch as key factors. A spokesman said: "As expected, lower levels of new housebuilding had a major restraining influence on growth in the second quarter, as is evident from the very weak investment figures. Other factors at work include higher commodity prices, global financial market problems, weak demand in our major trading partners and adverse exchange rate movements." Ireland has become the first country in the eurozone to slip into recession, official figures showed today. ... more -
Transport Minister Gives the Green Light to the GoCar Sharing Scheme
Ireland's first 'GoCar' sharing service as part of the European Mobility Week to promote sustainable mobility was launched in Cork City by Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, T.D. September 19th.
The European Mobility Week 2008, involved 2,000 towns and cities across Europe, highlighting the need for behavioural change in mobility and especially use of the private car, its impact on our pockets, health and especially the environment.
'GoCar' is a car sharing service accessible 24/7 for as little as one hour. Payable by credit card, with fully comprehensive insurance included in the price and in case of an accident a maximum of 1,000 Euro is payable. A full driving licence for at least two years is required. A dedicated website www.gocar.ie will keep you updated on Gocar locations as they emerge nationally. Three sites in Cork City include College View, Wandesford and Anglesea.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister said: "The launch of GoCar car sharing service is another important signal of how sustainability is becoming the foundation on which Ireland's transport policy will be based. This car sharing scheme, (launched today jointly with the Lord Mayor of Cork) may seem like a small step confined as it is at present to Cork but it is a signal of a move to a more sutainable future."
"On the wider agenda of sustainable travel, Ireland will, in the period to 2020,
face enormous challenges in terms of transport emissions and congestion in our
cities and towns. Faced with these issues, and the rising cost of fuel supplies,
there will inevitably be a significant impact on the basic quality of life of all our citizens. It is vital that we think differently in future about our travel requirements."
Minister Dempsey remarked that we need a cultural change in our view of travel and transport and he is committed to producing a Sustainable Travel and Transport Action Plan towards the end of the year, and has, "pledged support to rolling out An Taisce's Greenschools Travel module on a nationwide basis and promised the development of a robust national Cycle Policy." Ireland's first 'GoCar' sharing service as part of the European Mobility Week to promote sustainable mobility was launc... more -
Blue whale photographed for the first time in Irish waters
A blue whale has been photographed for the first time in Irish waters.
Previously there had only been one validated sighting of the species, thought nearly extinct in the 1960s, off the Irish coast in the last century.
But the elusive creatures have been spotted three times this week, with one sighting caught on camera. A blue whale has been photographed for the first time in Irish waters. ... more -
Erin Brockovich urges Shell to reroute gas pipeline in Ireland
Erin Brockovich, the campaigner who was immortalised in an Oscar-winning film, today urged oil giant Shell to reroute a controversial gas pipeline in the west of Ireland.
The former legal clerk, who famously took on a major power company accused over toxic leaks, gave her backing to campaigners opposing the development in north county Mayo.
Brockovich said the pipeline should be relocated if it affected residents' health or property. Shell has denied that the project affects either.
"There is no compromise when it comes to health and safety, and Shell should respect that," Brockovich said.
"If it is family land or some type of heritage land or preserved land, they've got to go around it.
"If a condition exists where a company like Shell needs to be in a location and there are residences, you need to move them."
Brockovich was portrayed by the actor Julia Roberts in the 2000 hit movie after winning a multi-million dollar legal battle against the energy firm PG&E for families affected by contaminated water in a Californian town.
She said she was confident that a compromise between the campaigners and Shell could be reached after discussing the matter with Irish environment minister and Green Party leader, John Gormley.
Brockovich also said a 10-day hunger strike by campaigner Maura Harrington was not the most effective way to reach a resolution.
Harrington, a retired school principal, called off her drastic action today when a pipe-laying ship left Irish waters.
"I would want her to eat," Brockovich said. "I clearly understand it's her way of making a very, very strong statement about something she feels strongly about, but I would want her to eat because we need to eat."
The Shell to Sea demonstrators oppose attempts to lay a pipeline which will transport untreated and odourless gas from the Corrib gas field to an inland refinery because of health and environmental fears.
"I completely understand their concerns," Brockovich said. "I deal with issues in the United States where pipelines have been put in, they've leaked and created health problems.
"Many people are in favour of progress, but they're not in favour of progress to the point where you degrade our environment and jeopardise our public health and safety."
Brockovich is in Dublin to speak about the benefits of eating organic food. She will give a lecture at University College Dublin tomorrow as part of Glenisk Organic Dairy's celebrations for National Organic Week.
Shell to sea. Erin Brockovich, the campaigner who was immortalised in an Oscar-winning film, today urged oil giant Shell to reroute a controversial ... more -
CNN Demolishes Every McCain Campaign Lie
This is by far the most thorough debunking I’ve seen to date on the myriad of lies coming from Team McCain.
Obama wants to teach sex to kindergarteners? Lie.
Palin opposed the Bridge to Nowhere? Lie.
Palin hasn’t taken earmarks as Governor? Lie.
Alaska produces 20% of America’s energy? Lie.
Palin visited Iraq and Ireland? Lie.
HT Jed, who adds:
As the campaign moves towards a focus on the economy, it’s worth keeping in mind that McCain’s lies are relevant because the demonstrate the fundamental emptiness of his campaign. He is devoid of ideas and solutions; lies are the only thing McCain has left. This is by far the most thorough debunking I’ve seen to date on the myriad of lies coming from Team McCain. ... more -
Woman goes on hunger strike to stop Shell
Maura Harrington has decided to take a stand by going on a hunger strike and putting her life at risk in order to stop Shell's plan to run a gas pipeline through a coastal Irish village.
Harrington's hunger strike began last Tuesday and is another chapter in the ongoing desperate battle between the local residents of Rossport in County Mayo, Ireland and the multinational oil company Shell. For eight years now the community has been fighting against plans to build a pipeline from an offshore gas extraction outfit through or near Rossport and on to an onshore refinery.
Harrington, a former headmistress, has been opposed to the onshore pipeline from the start, and believes Shell should build an offshore refinery. She gave notice to the commander of Shell's Solitaire boat that if it came into the bay she would begin her strike and carry on till the ship went away.
Harrington, who only weighs 42kg (6st 9lb), says she had been contemplating the hunger strike for months now, but the decision was finally made when she heard that the Solitaire was on its way. It sprang out of her despair, she says, over the actions not just of Shell but of the local authorities, the Garda, and the government.
"What kind of country are we living in?" she says. "This part of the world was such a beautiful place, and it is painful, physically and emotionally, to see what has happened here with the construction work. So I have put my life and death into the hands of the Solitaire." Maura Harrington has decided to take a stand by going on a hunger strike and putting her life at risk in order to stop Shell's pl... more -
Fury as actress tells film festival 'I would have joined the IRA'
The Hollywood actress Rose McGowan has been heavily criticised after expressing sympathy with the IRA ahead of the release of her new film.
The Italian-born star, who is most famous for her role as Paige Matthews in the series Charmed, said she would have joined the IRA if she lived in Belfast during the Troubles. McGowan, 35, stars in Fifty Dead Men Walking, a biopic based on the autobiography of the former IRA informer Martin McGartland.
"My heart just broke for the cause," she told a news conference before the film's world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. "I imagine, had I grown up in Belfast, I would 100 per cent have been in the IRA," she said. "Violence is not to be played out daily and provide an answer to problems, but I understand it."
McGowan's comments have met with angry ripostes – not least from Mr McGartland himself. He still lives in hiding because of the threat to his life from militant sympathisers. "It's easy to say this sort of thing when you live in LA," Mr McGartland told The First Post website. "Rose McGowan's comments were insulting to victims of IRA terrorism and she should apologise.
"She must have taken leave of her senses. Can't she see that such remarks are incredibly insensitive to the families of victims of the IRA? She clearly doesn't know anything about Northern Ireland."
Billy Armstrong, an Ulster Unionist assembly member, said the comments were "foolish and offensive". He added: "As an IRA member, would Miss McGowan have been happy to participate in the abduction, torture and murder of Jean McConville, a widow and mother of 10?" The Hollywood actress Rose McGowan has been heavily criticised after expressing sympathy with the IRA ahead of the release of her new ... more -
Honour service for Northern Ireland Veterans
More than 700 servicemen and women were killed by paramilitaries during the military campaign which was known as Operation Banner.
During the 40 years of the Army's longest continuous campaign, over 300,000 servicemen and women were deployed.
The Prince of Wales, Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup will join veterans and their families at St Paul's Cathedral, in London, for the event.
Also among the congregation will be Defence Secretary Des Browne, former premiers Baroness Thatcher and Tony Blair, leaders of the Opposition and the Duchess of Cornwall.
Operation Banner started in 1969 as sectarian violent unrest escalated and was formally ended at midnight on July 31 last year.
The Prime Minister said in a statement released ahead of the service: "We owe a debt of gratitude to all service personnel who served on Operation Banner between 1969 and 2007, and especially those who gave their lives.
"They helped create the conditions for the peace Northern Ireland now enjoys and today we salute their courage.
"It is in their honour and for all the people of Northern Ireland that all those committed to the province's future must work together to ensure a lasting peace." More than 700 servicemen and women were killed by paramilitaries during the military campaign which was known as Operation Banner. ... more -
Irlanda e Trattato di Lisbona: le ragioni del no.
Il Trattato di Lisbona: 70 articoli per riscrivere la Costituzione Europea.
L'Irlanda in un referendum del 12 giugno 2008 ha detto un secco no alla riforma.
Alla domanda "per favore, mi dica le ragioni del suo voto contrario al Trattato", ecco come gli irlandesi hanno risposto.
LETTURA DATI E FONTI
http://www.byoblu.com/31af3b5b-7f19-49e5-989c-bc093a693... Il Trattato di Lisbona: 70 articoli per riscrivere la Costituzione Europea. ... more -
Football on a Sunday? Ulster says MAYBE!
As a football league match was played on a Sunday in Northern Ireland for the first time, BBC Ireland correspondent Mark Simpson went along to hear the views on both sides.
There was no clear winner as two of Northern Ireland's great passions - football and religion - clashed on the streets of east Belfast.
On the one side, there were around 50 protesters in their Sunday-best suits, campaigning to keep the Sabbath holy.
On the other side, were hundreds of fans in shiny football shirts, wanting to watch their favourite team.
Unlike many previous street protests in Belfast, this one was peaceful. Indeed, the only time voices were raised was when the demonstrators sang hymns.
And unlike most disputes in Northern Ireland, this one was not between Catholics and Protestants. This one was Protestant versus Protestant.
"Fundamentally, it is a desecration of God's day"-Reverend David McIveen As a football league match was played on a Sunday in Northern Ireland for the first time, BBC Ireland correspondent Mark Simpson went ... more -
All Ireland Hurling Final: Kilkenny 3-30 Waterford 1-13
The cats absolutely Hammered Waterford, in Waterford's first final in over 45 years.
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Clinics 'ready for surge in students bingeing on sex, drugs and drink'
The number of students seeking emergency contraception and treatment for drug and alcohol-related illness is set to soar this week after many headed back to college.
Across the country's campuses, instances of excessive drinking, sexually transmitted infection and illnesses associated with cocaine abuse have risen sharply, according to the university medical directors.
The rate of sexually transmitted diseases in three of Ireland's main universities is almost five times the national average, with UCD topping the list and being described as a major Chlamydia hotspot by doctors.
With the new academic year starting this week, the college medical centres are gearing up for their busiest period of the year, which coincides with the traditional beginning of term campus celebrations.
"Freshers weeks, rag weeks, graduations and society days are all major hot spots for us and we see the result in our centre in terms of emergency contraception, STI checks and alcohol-related issues," said Niall Cahill, medical director at the University of Limerick.
It is the kind of news to strike fear into parents seeing their young teenagers leaving home for the first time, and all the medical experts agree that the 50,000 new first years are particularly vulnerable.
Of particular concern this year is the cohort of young affluent students from south county Dublin, who are flocking to STI clinics for treatment. Derek Freedman, a leading specialist in STI treatment, said recently that he sees in his Dublin clinic a steady stream of UCD students, with many boasting they have had as many as 20 sexual partners, and often unprotected.
In an illustration of the rampant promiscuousness of young students, the Sunday Independent has learned of one incident which occurred last Wednesday night in the vicinity of the UCD student bar, in which a drunk girl performed oral sex in exchange for a cigarette. It was the night when many freshers moved on to campus for the first time and groups were out celebrating their new freedom.
One witness told the Sunday Independent, "It was late, near closing time and we egged her on to give him a blow job for a cigarette and unbelievably she opened his pants and began doing it. We couldn't believe it."
In addition to the famous UCD student bar, which will be filled this week to its 1,000-person capacity with students on all-day drinking sessions, the campus residences are notorious cauldrons of sexual activity and late-night binge drinking and last Wednesday night there were several reports of residence supervisors breaking up parties.
The study's main findings were that alcohol played a major role in a student decisions to have a one-night stand, that sexual education was failing badly and that a taboo still existed, particularly among girls, about carrying condoms. The number of students seeking emergency contraception and treatment for drug and alcohol-related illness is set to soar this week aft... more -
Reuters backs down on false INBS report
World-renowned business newswire service Reuters has been forced into an embarrassing climbdown after publishing a report which claimed that the Irish Nationwide Building Society was in "talks with their lenders to avoid insolvency".
Their report was withdrawn after Reuters conceded that "material elements" contained in the story were incorrect.
The stunning admission came after a series of urgent communications on Friday night between Reuters and representatives of the Irish Nationwide in Dublin.
Irish Nationwide chief executive Michael Fingleton said last night: "This was the most irresponsible piece of financial journalism that I have experienced in my 35 years at the Irish Nationwide."
Reuters' original story was posted on the wires on Friday evening at 6.14pm (Irish time).
Then, at 8.31pm, the story re-appeared on the wires -- this time, however, with a strong denial from the Irish Nationwide.
According to the internal Reuters log, this story was finally removed from the system at 10.45pm and replaced by a retraction, stating there would be no substitute story.
"The error occurred because the Reuters reporter misinterpreted the source," a US-based spokesman for Reuters yesterday told the Sunday Independent. "The story was filed before Irish Nationwide had a chance to comment.
"Accuracy, reliability and integrity are at the heart of the Reuters operation -- and we deeply regret that our standard operating procedure in this case was not followed."
Reuters are now understood to be carrying out an internal investigation as to what happened.
But the promise of an investigation will do little to satisfy Irish Nationwide chief executive Michael Fingleton and his fellow directors.
The Irish Nationwide chief stated his intention to pursue Reuters vigorously over the matter.
He said: "Reuters have admitted that they got it wrong. They knew they got it wrong and that is why they took it down. They didn't check it in the way that you would expect.
"The society will, of course, be vigorously pursuing the matter -- including legal action.
"We believe that we have the evidence to support our case and that what Reuters did was indefensible.
"It took Reuters two hours to put up the Irish Nationwide's denial, and it was another hour-and-a-half before they withdrew the original story because, they said, 'material elements were incorrect'. They also withdrew the denial story because, they said, it contained 'incorrect information'."
Significantly, the untrue Reuters report was gleaned from just one anonymous source, with no response sought from the Irish Nationwide Building Society itself. World-renowned business newswire service Reuters has been forced into an embarrassing climbdown after publishing a report which claime... more -
Kilkenny hurlers make it 3 in a row
In a time when we see overly cosseted celebrity athletes living like kings, it's nice to take time to appreciate the efforts of 'open source' heroes.
In keeping with the Current ethos, the GAA owes its existence to the active participation of thousands of individuals contributing their time and effort at local, regional, and national level.
After playing to a packed stadium and massive TV audience, these men will be getting ready for work next week just like everyone else. They'll probably use up some annual leave for the next day or two but the alarm clocks will ring soon after.
As teachers, Gardai, soldiers, farmers, engineers, accountants - and probably butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers - GAA competitors put in the same day's work as those who support them. They make huge sacrifices to represent their local area in competition at various levels, and get very little reward beyond the respect and appreciation of supporters. In a time when we see overly cosseted celebrity athletes living like kings, it's nice to take time to appreciate the efforts of &... more -
Lung specialist urges Automatic Organ Donation
A leading lung specialist has said Ireland should seriously consider automatic organ donation after death, to increase the number of transplant operations.
Mater Hospital consultant, Dr Jim Egan, said a change from the existing voluntary donation system to one of 'presumed consent' would save lives.
Currently around 600 patients are on the waiting list for an organ transplant here.
I've long been a supporter of this, It was pioneered in Argentina I believe and has saved many many lives
Remember that if you want to donate, an organ donor card isn't enough and isnt even that necessary as your next of kin decide. You MUST let you family know your decision. A leading lung specialist has said Ireland should seriously consider automatic organ donation after death, to increase the number of t... more -
Temple of Truth - David Best in Ireland
Check out the post by Philip Blaine...
http://current.com/items/89266675_temple_of_truth_elect...
for an image of the TEMPLE OF TRUTH by DAVID BEST in IRELAND...its a lovely image...
and then check out the site for the event that took place at the same time of Burning Man.
It looks like it was a lovely, lush green non dusty event.!!
http://www.electricpicnic.ie/html/art.html
The Temple Of Truth – David Best
This temple will be dedicated to truths of all kinds. Within these walls there may only be truth. Speak it, live it and we invite you to write it. We would ask people to try to separate truth from other notions such as certainty and opinion. This is dedicated to those brave enough to speak truths of the heart and release any burden that weigh heavy. Trying to comprehend truth serves the purpose of illuminating the notion of truth. This is also the purpose of burning the temple to illuminate that same purpose in a more literal way. "We seek the truth, and will endure the consequences" Charles Seymour.
~doxie Check out the post by Philip Blaine... http://current.com/items/89266675_temple_of_truth_electric_picnic_2008 ... more
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