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Judge to Google: Turn over Youtube records
A federal judge in New York has ordered Google to turn over to Viacom a database linking users of YouTube, the Web’s largest video site by far, with every clip they have watched there.
The order raised concerns among users and privacy advocates that the online video viewing habits of tens of millions of people could be exposed. But Google and Viacom said they were hoping to come up with a way to protect the anonymity of YouTube viewers.
A federal judge in New York has ordered Google to turn over to Viacom a database linking users of YouTube, the Web’s largest video sit... more -
MPAA wants to filter the internet at your college
In a letter to Congressional leaders, the MPAA continues to push for special copyright provisions in a new bill reauthorizing the federal student aid program for college students. Filtering, it seems, can save big money on bandwidth, but colleges remain unimpressed.
Zombie Jack Valenti however remains pleased. In a letter to Congressional leaders, the MPAA continues to push for special copyright provisions in a new bill reauthorizing the fede... more -
Can Fox Sue Me for Posting a Feature Length Film on The Internet? Let’s Find Out!
"Not only can you watch Ice Age online, but Lionsgate, Fox, and Universal have launched a new website hulu.com where you can watch 75 feature length films online. Sure, they have limited commercial interruption, but it’s legal and free. Some of the movies you can even stream in 480p." "Not only can you watch Ice Age online, but Lionsgate, Fox, and Universal have launched a new website hulu.com where you can watch 75 ... more
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MPAA hates college students
The MPAA has never been too high on college kids but it looks like the Hollywood set is bummed about not being invited to that last kegger, because the MPAA is now admitting that it drastically overstated the effect of college downloading in previous studies.
Back in 2005, the MPAA claimed that a whopping 44 percent of revenue losses came directly at the hands of carefree coeds nationwide, and used that number to pressure colleges into enforcing harsher downloading policies and even propose legislation currently before Congress that would tie federal education funds to copyright enforcement requirements.
Well, revenue loss from college piracy is more like 15 percent, a number which is further disputed by campus IT groups, who say it should be more like three percent.
Suddenly the MPAA is reminding me of that cranky old man who yelled at me as a kid for standing on his lawn then tells lies to my parents to get me in trouble.
The MPAA has never been too high on college kids but it looks like the Hollywood set is bummed about not being invited to that last ke... more -
Steal This Film II
Finally, it's released!
Steal This Film Part 2 is now out and it's very important to see this film!
You can download it directly from the STF2 site or download it from TPB using this link where you can also find the first part which features The Pirate Bay quite a bit.
Please support the STF2-crew by at least helping out with seeding this movie (or even donate some cash towards the next part...). Thanks!
Steal This Film 1, which was downloaded nearly 3 million times, has now been succeeded officially (as the sequel premiered and was ironically leaked last month) by none other than Steal This Film 2. By producing this video, the League of Noble Peers, which features many prominent individuals from the BitTorrent community, has the goal of bringing new people into the leagues of those now prepared to think 'after intellectual property', think creatively about the future of distribution, production and creativity. For those still confused, Steal This Film is a series documenting the movement against intellectual property. The films discuss piracy culture as well as raids against file sharing websites. In the spirit of piracy, the movie is completely free for download.
It's very fascinating look at where we've come and where we are going in the world of information. Finally, it's released! Steal This Film Part 2 is now out and it's very important to see this film! ... more -
MPAA's University wiretapping product taken down for violating copyright
This has got to be the single best headline I have seen all year. Oh, the beautiful irony.
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BSA Software Piracy Fight Smacks of RIAA Crackdown
A Business Software Alliance raid on musical-instrument maker Ernie Ball Inc. cost the company $90,000 in a settlement. Soon after, Microsoft sent other businesses in the region around Ball's a flyer offering discounts on software licenses, along with a reminder not to wind up like Ernie Ball. Enraged, CEO Sterling Ball vowed never to use Microsoft software again, even if 'we have to buy 10,000 abacuses.' Similar BSA raids around the country have been provoking strong reactions from put-upon business owners, echoing similar reactions to music-lovers targeted by the RIAA. A Business Software Alliance raid on musical-instrument maker Ernie Ball Inc. cost the company $90,000 in a settlement. Soon after, Mi... more
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This.Film.Is.Not.Yet.Rated.
This Film Is Not Yet Rated is an independent documentary film about the Motion Picture Association of America's rating system and its ... all » effect on American culture, directed by Kirby Dick and produced by Eddie Schmidt. It premiered at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and was released into select theatres on September 1, 2006. The Independent Film Channel, the film's producer, aired the film later that autumn.
The MPAA gave the original cut of the film an NC-17 rating for "some graphic sexual content": scenes that illustrated the content a film could include to garner an NC-17 rating. Kirby Dick appealed, and descriptions of the ratings deliberations and appeal were included in the documentary. The new version of the film is not rated.
The film discusses disparities the filmmaker sees in ratings and feedback: between Hollywood and independent films, between gay and straight sexual situations, and between violence and sexual content. This Film Is Not Yet Rated is an independent documentary film about the Motion Picture Association of America's rating system and its ... more -
Proposed Bill Requires Colleges to Deter p2p Piracy
How much responsibility do colleges have for deterring peer-to-peer piracy on campus? Enough to jeopardize the financial aid assistance of all students if a bill introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives gets passed. The College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007 would require colleges to not only deter piracy on campus but also to engage in alternatives such as paying for monthly subscriptions to sites like Napster for every student.
According to the bill, if universities did not agree to test "technology-based deterrents to prevent such illegal activity," all of their students--even ones who don't own a computer--would lose federal financial aid.
The exact details of the piracy issue could get lost during voting as it is only one part of a 747-page proposal (pdf) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965. It is apparently one aspect of a plan to make college more affordable; it just so happens that it will also benefit the movie and music industries with all those new subscriptions. The bill, which was introduced into the House by Democrats, will be voted on by the full committee next week. How much responsibility do colleges have for deterring peer-to-peer piracy on campus? Enough to jeopardize the financial aid assistanc... more -
Hollywood Cracks Down On On-Screen Smoking
Some studios are seeking to ban portrayal of tobacco smoking in movies aimed at young audiences (defined as anything below an "R" rating). Anti-smoking forces see the onscreen depiction of smoking as an implicit endorsement that encourages children to see cigarettes as "cool," while some directors and free speech advocates see the proposed ban as a step on a slippery slope for the freedom of content creators (what's next? no fatty foods in movies?). What do you think? Some studios are seeking to ban portrayal of tobacco smoking in movies aimed at young audiences (defined as anything below an "R" rati... more
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Rated R for strong bloody ninja violence and a humorous drug related scene
Think the MPAA sucks? Check out 10 of the funniest MPAA ratings. What are some of your favorites?
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Too Much Sex
Hollywood's censors think Ang Lee's new movie "Lust, Caution" has too much lust, and they're cautioning moviegoers by branding it with an NC-17 rating.
The Motion Picture Assn. of America's ratings board cited the film's graphic sexuality for its decision. A source said too many of the film's sex scenes violated the ratings board's unwritten rules (like the number of allowable pelvic thrusts, for example) to make an appeal possible.
Sources who have seen the film said it contains at least three scenes -- one a long montage -- featuring multiple acts of aggressive sexual activity in different positions. There's no full-frontal male nudity (the source of some NC-17 rulings when shown in sex scenes), but male-on-female oral sex, non-S&M restraints and several nontraditional sexual positions are depicted, conveying the aggression and emotional conflict between the main characters.
When asked if anyone was shown, say, upside down, one viewer said, "It depends on where you're standing. They're very flexible." Hollywood's censors think Ang Lee's new movie "Lust, Caution" has too much lust, and they're cautioning moviegoers by branding it with... more
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