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In The News - September 2007
Posted by OtherMike (Shmoo) in on September 30, 2007 at 8:46 AM



Last month's edition of 'In The News'

===============================

Folks, don't sit on your can letting me have all the fun. If you run across an article that needs to appear here in the news, please post that link and a blurb.

If you want something to appear on the front page of Boycott-Riaa or DMusic, post the link and blurb, but ALSO hit the submit button! (leflaw, tracy, or I will get around to it asap.)

--Shmoo, aka "independentmusician"
of Electric Gypsy and Boycott RIAA


User Comments

Otherindependentm...
Date: September 1, 2007 @ 11:34 PM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 1, 2007 @ 11:35 PM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 1, 2007 @ 11:38 PM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 1, 2007 @ 11:43 PM
RIAA v. The People : Four Years Later

EFF report (.pdf format)
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 1, 2007 @ 11:55 PM
This year, FMC is back in Washington, DC, to host the 7th
annual "Future of Music Policy Summit"
panels will cover
such topics as:

* Copyright and licensing issues
* Network neutrality and broadband policy
* FCC's "rules of engagement" on payola
* Sample clearance licensing process
* The explosion of niche market genres
* Wireless/music portability
* The challenges of cultural preservation
* Technologies that are bringing artists and fans closer
together
...and more.

Otherindependentm...
Date: September 2, 2007 @ 12:01 AM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 2, 2007 @ 12:05 AM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 2, 2007 @ 12:09 AM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 2, 2007 @ 12:11 AM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 2, 2007 @ 12:12 AM
French YouTube Rival Lands $34 Million Funding

Paris-based video sharing site Dailymotion SA has landed a fresh round of funding to help it compete with U.S. rival YouTube, which has been gaining strength in Europe since it launched local versions of its service in June.
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 2, 2007 @ 12:13 AM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 2, 2007 @ 12:15 AM
Thailand lifts 4-month ban on YouTube

The Thai government said Friday it has lifted a four-month ban on YouTube after the popular video-sharing Web site's operator agreed not to allow videos that violate the country's laws or are deemed offensive to Thai people.
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 2, 2007 @ 12:17 AM
Bob Marley family says to sue Universal, Verizon

For using name and likeness without permission.
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 3, 2007 @ 2:02 AM
Wistful over lost dreams at Summer of Love fest

Some of the biggest musical stars of the 1960s counterculture gathered in San Francisco on Sunday for a concert to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Summer of Love, yet backstage many voiced disappointment about the era's unfulfilled ideals.
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 3, 2007 @ 2:19 AM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 3, 2007 @ 10:25 PM
Swedish internet service providers may soon be required by law to take greater responsibility for unlawful file-sharing.

Although rejecting the ludicrous idea of an overarching broadband fee which would be shared out among copyright holders, a government report published on Monday called for internet providers to be 'bound to contribute to bringing all copyright infringement to an end'. Under the proposal, copyright holders whose material is being shared illegally would be entitled to compensation from ISPs which did not ban users. Needless to say, the country's ISPs are not happy."
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 3, 2007 @ 10:32 PM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 3, 2007 @ 10:33 PM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 3, 2007 @ 10:40 PM
North Korea executes citizens for illegally copying and distributing movies

Sadly and oddly enough, it is hard to believe Kim Jeong Il beat the USA to it. (But then again, he's a big fan and friend of Hollywood.)
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 3, 2007 @ 11:19 PM
Member of New Bohemians fatally shot

Jeffrey Carter Albrecht, a keyboard player for the band Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, was shot to death early Monday while trying to kick in the door of his girlfriend's neighbor, police said.
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 3, 2007 @ 11:22 PM
Connected story?

Rock stars more likely to die prematurely

Be careful out there folks!
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 3, 2007 @ 11:28 PM
Internet criticism of Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee's involvement in the pardon of a castrated rapist and his heavy use of a state airplane disappeared with a mouse click.

The AP found that five computer addresses within the state government network were used while editing information about politicians.
Advancedpepe512000
Date: September 4, 2007 @ 12:02 AM
North Korea executes citizens for illegally copying and distributing movies

Wouldn't the riaa love to have that kind of control? Yikes!
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 4, 2007 @ 1:19 PM
Downloads Fall in Japan

The number of downloads from legal music and video services in Japan has fallen for the first time, according to the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ).

They are talking about RIAA owned and dominated sites, so HOORAY!
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 4, 2007 @ 1:21 PM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 4, 2007 @ 1:29 PM
http://yro.slashdot.org/yro/07/09/04/1341248.shtml

"Peter Murray Rust, a chemist at Cambridge University, was lost for words when he found Oxford University Press's website demanded $48 from him to access his own scientific paper, in which he holds copyright and which he released under a Creative Commons license. As he writes, the journal in question was "selling my intellectual property, without my permission, against the terms of the license (no commercial use)." In the light of this kind of copyright abuse and of the PRISM Coalition, a new FUD group set up by scientific publishers to discredit open access, isn't it time to say enough is enough, and demand free access to the research we pay for through our taxes?" --Glyn Moody, posting at /.
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 4, 2007 @ 1:31 PM
Pitch Perception Skewed By Modern Tuning

"...the use of A as the universal tuning frequency has made our ears less discerning of the notes immediately around it."
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 4, 2007 @ 1:50 PM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 4, 2007 @ 1:52 PM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 4, 2007 @ 1:53 PM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 5, 2007 @ 7:03 AM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 5, 2007 @ 7:07 AM
('tis leflaw's buddy Lester & his Brothers!)


AWSOME!

(Damnit Larry, gimmie the helm of a DMusic Video Site! I'd be a great A&R/CEO!)

(And BELIEVE ME, you'd make lots of $$$ and the artists/fans would NOT be screwed one iota in the process. I KNOW HOW TO DO IT!)
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 5, 2007 @ 7:09 AM
Sorry folks.

Just "emoting" about a silly pipe-dream of mine I suppose...

(grrr... grumble grumble)
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 7, 2007 @ 6:41 AM
The Justice Department opposes net neutrality saying that it could "hamper development of the internet."

The only thing it would hamper is the continued ability of the mega telecom's to increase their criminal monopoly. Sheesh. Best government money can buy! God bless Amerika!
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 7, 2007 @ 6:43 AM
DHS ends ADVISE, data mining program.

However, according to the article, a DHS spokesman assures that the program will be restarted once the security and cost are re-evaluated."
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 7, 2007 @ 6:44 AM
DMemberpessimist
Date: September 7, 2007 @ 7:58 AM
Good news about that judge doing the right thing!
Bad news about the Department of Injustice opposing net neutrality.
This current Justice Dept. has to be one of the worst in history; it's taken so many rotten approaches the past several years. Grrr!
DMemberpessimist
Date: September 7, 2007 @ 8:00 AM
Limewire file-sharing used for ID theft!

Sep 6, 8:08 PM (ET)
By GENE JOHNSON

SEATTLE (AP) - A Seattle man has been arrested in what the Justice Department described as its first case against someone accused of using file-sharing digital data to commit identity theft.

Gregory Thomas Kopiloff primarily used Limewire's file-sharing program to troll other people's computers for financial information, which he used to open credit cards for an online shopping spree, federal prosecutors said Thursday.

Kopiloff was arrested Wednesday at his government-subsidized apartment a few blocks from the federal courthouse here. According to a four-count indictment, he bought at least $73,000 worth of goods online - including iPods and laptop computers - then resold those items at half-price and kept the proceeds. Investigators said he blew through most of the money supporting a gambling habit.

Authorities said they have identified least 83 victims - most of whom have teenage children and did not know the file-sharing software was on their computer. But investigators also said they believe the number of people affected was in the hundreds - and that in all they lost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Though people have been prosecuted for using networks to illegally share copyrighted music, movies and software, the Justice Department called this the first version of an equally - if not more - troubling matter.

Each day, computer users inadvertently share hundreds of thousands of sensitive files through such programs, from banking statements and medical records to tax returns and legal documents, according to Robert Boback, chief executive of Tiversa Inc., a Pennsylvania firm that monitors file-sharing.

Typically the mistakes occur when a user downloads file-sharing software and accidentally allows it to share all files on a computer, rather than just music files, for example.

"If you are running file-sharing software, you are giving criminals the keys to your computer," said assistant U.S. attorney Kathryn Warma. "Criminals are getting access to incredibly valuable information."

When other users might search on Limewire for "Madonna," Kopiloff would search for "federal tax return," or for student financial aid forms or other financial information, Warma said. And instead of getting access to a few hundred files containing "Like a Virgin" or "Papa Don't Preach," he would get a few hundred files containing tax returns.

He would vet his victims before opening accounts in their name, ensuring they earned at least $150,000 a year and had good credit, Warma said.

Boback showed during a news conference Thursday the searches being conducted on peer-to-peer networks at that moment.

As the searches were entered, they scrolled rapidly along the screen of his laptop. Many clearly concerned music files and pornography, but interspersed were scores looking for files that contained terms such as "password" and "medical billing."

"There are tens of thousands of individuals who make a living doing this," Boback said.

The issue has national security implications, he said. In July, his company found that more than 200 classified documents were available on peer-to-peer networks, including one that concerned troop movements in Iraq.

Boback testified before the House Oversight Committee on the issue July 24. He noted that among the files his company found was a confidential document addressed to Rep. Henry Waxman, the committee's chairman, concerning a pharmaceutical company's drug trials.

A Limewire representative could not immediately be reached for comment, but at the same congressional hearing, the chairman of Lime Wire LLC, Mark Gorton, said the company warns its users about the dangers posed by the software and instructs them on how to use it safely.

"We continue to be frustrated that despite our warnings and precautions, a small fraction of users override the safe default setting that comes with the program and end up inadvertently publishing information that they would prefer to keep privats," Gorton said.

According to the indictment, Kopiloff began using Limewire and Soulseek - free file-sharing programs available on the Internet - about 2 1/2 years ago to search for people who had inadvertently allowed access to their sensitive files.

Kopiloff also obtained some sensitive information the old-fashioned way, from associates who would steal mail or go "Dumpster diving" for discarded financial records, the indictment said, adding that he would open credit accounts and then go shopping online, having items shipped to a UPS store, hotels or post office boxes.

He was arrested after one of his alleged victims, a Texas resident, told his company's security officer - a former Secret Service agent - about how his bank account had been compromised, with someone in Western Washington passing bad checks on his account. The agent forwarded the information to Secret Service agents and police in Seattle, Warma said. Kopiloff has a lengthy history of theft and drug convictions.

Kopiloff is charged with mail fraud, accessing a protected computer, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.

Kopiloff did not enter a plea during an appearance in U.S. District Court on Thursday, and his court-appointed lawyer said she had not had time to review the charges. A detention hearing was set for Monday.
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 7, 2007 @ 9:19 PM
I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't even bother with any of the p2p nets.

P2p COULDA AND SHOULDA been a great thing, but honestly, the p2p nets are so full of RIAA tunes (which I am boycotting) and crap like what pessimist pointed out just above along with assorted other garbage that it really isn't worth it.

Most Indie artists (if they don't just have their OWN website) use places like DMusic or CD Baby, or YouTube, MySpace, etc.

Kazaa, Limewire, etc. SUCK for discovering any new music. P2p (as currently implemented) is only good for finding stuff you already are looking for specifically by artist name and/or song title.

Sad that it isn't more than that.

Intermediateautodidact
Date: September 7, 2007 @ 9:33 PM
Mp3 blogs are the place to find new music. They're kind of proliferating like rabbits. I use torrent for the occasional tv programme, but never for music. MP3 blogs are also where old, out of print material is to be found, often whole albums. Two words: totally fuzzy. Use their MP3 search function. nuff said.
AdvancedTrueAudio
Date: September 8, 2007 @ 4:10 AM
Alex Jones' ENDGAME - Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkgGOFXuYPw

Know your enemy, wake up, time is short.
DMemberTotallyFrust...
Date: September 8, 2007 @ 11:32 AM
Get ready for a new wave of "copyright reform" to protect the poor starving music execs.

http://www.examiner.com/blogs/Yeas_and_Nays/2007/9/6/Sen-Teddy-is-the-world
DMemberTotallyFrust...
Date: September 8, 2007 @ 11:33 AM
Forgot to mention...I wonder if they paid the royalty fees for the songs they sang?
Advancedpepe512000
Date: September 8, 2007 @ 1:22 PM
TrueAudio

I just received this in my mail...been hearing about this for awhile now, but it looks like 2010 is the set date to combine us all (North American Union) together. In the meantime, we're all in for a rough ride with our economies....

People need to know this.....
http://www.halturnershow.com/AmeroCoinArrives.html
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 8, 2007 @ 11:38 PM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 8, 2007 @ 11:40 PM
Britney, MTV-faded music figures together in Vegas

Britney Spears hasn't had a hit in years. MTV stopped playing music videos years ago. What a match!
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 8, 2007 @ 11:45 PM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 8, 2007 @ 11:55 PM
Disney star appears nude in Web photo

What better way to add hype to the over-hyped "High School Musical" ...sheesh. Next should we expect Vanessa Hudgens to very publicly be charged with a DUI and do rehab? Seems these Disney stars have a pattern y'know.
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 8, 2007 @ 11:57 PM
Microsoft, Siemens to develop in-car infotainment

The world awaits the first DRM caused traffic fatality.
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 9, 2007 @ 12:01 AM
Starbucks to offer free iTunes access in stores

What? Starbucks doesn't have free wi-fi already? WTF? Pay $5 for a cup of coffee and there's no free access to the wi-fi? How the hell do they keep customers? Are people really that stupid?
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 9, 2007 @ 12:05 AM
Google takes heat over YouTube deal in Thailand

...for blocking videos from viewers in Thailand that are considered inappropriate or illegal by that Asian government.
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 9, 2007 @ 12:07 AM
Microsoft cuts Zune music player price by $50

Not worth having even if M$ gave them away.
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 9, 2007 @ 12:11 AM
Heavy Internet users unplugged by US cable company

Several Internet users in the United States have been unplugged by their service provider because they download too much, a press report said here Friday.
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 9, 2007 @ 12:12 AM
MTV Networks to launch two dozen more sites

MTV Networks said on Friday that it would launch two dozen new Web sites based on its shows, including the entire video archives of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" with comedian Jon Stewart.
IntermediateDreddsnik
Date: September 9, 2007 @ 10:16 PM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 9, 2007 @ 11:56 PM
Forensic computer promises to make quick work of digital crime

A European consortium has come up with a high-speed digital forensic computer dedicated to the task of quickly offloading and analyzing all computer records from email or picture files to database contents and file transfers.The TreCorder is a rugged forensic PC able to copy or clone up to three hard disks simultaneously, at a speed of up to 2 Gb/min.
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 10, 2007 @ 12:00 AM
Defend your freedom now!

Stop The Spying
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 10, 2007 @ 12:01 AM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 10, 2007 @ 12:06 AM
California blocks RFID implants in workers

The State Senate votes to ban "forced tagging of humans."
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 10, 2007 @ 12:08 AM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 10, 2007 @ 12:10 AM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 10, 2007 @ 12:11 AM
Animated Orwellian virtual cartoon cops are policing the web in China.

How cute can totalitarianism get? (Don't be jealous folks, the USA is probably next!)

:) (Smile)
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 10, 2007 @ 12:20 AM
VMA losses spark another Kanye tantrum

geez, what a crybaby

West, waiting for an elevator in a crowded hallway, began yelling about losing all five categories for which he was nominated.

"That's two years in a row, man ... give a black man a chance," West said, stomping around his entourage and directing his comments at a reporter. "I'm trying hard man, I have the ... number one record, man."

West said he never will return to MTV.

Well, THAT would be the smartest move for him (even tho it's just sour grapes.)

Sheesh, I'd consider an eMTv vid award to be a DIS-Honor.
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 10, 2007 @ 12:24 AM
Kid Rock and Tommy Lee fight at MTV VMAs

[i]Anyone wanna bet it wasn't done for the publicity? Damn camera hounds must be feeling left out of the spotlight lately, what with all the attention paid to the Lohann, Spears, and Hilton bitches.

I can't believe half of anything these celebs "wrong-do" anymore.

Sick-Sad-World 'tis[/url]

Otherindependentm...
Date: September 10, 2007 @ 12:26 AM
And Britney lip synched (of course.)

[i]Keep it up you RIAA princess! Make it even MORE easy for us to hate the Industry![/url]
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 10, 2007 @ 12:28 AM
Damnit! Screwed the tags. Oh well, ain't gonna waste the time trying to fix. Y'all can tell what I was typing.

:) (Smile)
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 10, 2007 @ 12:32 AM
Timberlake pleads for more videos on eMTv

And we pleaded too ...about 15 f**king years ago!!!

Give up already Justin! Ain't you ever heard of YouTube, MetaCafe, DailyMotion, ReVVer, etc.?

eMTv can go to hell.
DMemberpessimist
Date: September 10, 2007 @ 1:29 AM

Re: unlocking an iPhone

I'm glad it was done, and I hope the process spreads.
AT&T deserves to be upended, and we common people deserve choices.
DMemberpessimist
Date: September 10, 2007 @ 9:25 PM
NEWS:

Deals Could Be Close on Internet Radio

Sep 10, 7:09 PM (ET)
By SETH SUTEL

NEW YORK (AP) - Listening to radio over the Internet is easier than ever, as high-speed connections have proliferated and online offerings become more sophisticated. Now the legal aspects may be falling into place too.

The music industry and online broadcasters have been duking it out for months over the royalties that should be paid to record labels and artists, but there are signs that the logjam could break as early as this month.

John Simson, the head of SoundExchange, a music industry group that collects royalties from digital broadcasters and distributes them to artists and labels, said he is optimistic about reaching an agreement soon with public radio stations, possibly by the end of September.

Resolving questions over royalties for online broadcasting is critical for the futures of both the music and radio industries as people increasingly use portable listening devices . . .

--------------[snip]----------------------


Further down in the article is this gem:
"Record labels are trying hard to find new ways of building revenues and adapting to changing consumer habits."

Yeah, right, trying hard, uh-huh.
Trying hard to avoid being arrogant pricks? (no)
Trying hard to avoid turning off the public with heavy-handed lawsuits? (no)
Trying hard to allow fundamental fair rights of use for their customer base? (no)
Trying hard to avoid prolonging the use of nuisance DRM to the point of antagonizing music lovers? (no)
Trying hard to avoid defaulting on their contractual obligations to pay their artists the fair amount of money they're due? (no)
Trying hard to swear off using illegal payola tactics? (no)
Trying hard to avoid ethics violations with their undue influence in Congress? (no)
Trying hard to avoid the semblance of racketeering, and allow a level playing field for independent artists? (no)

Hmm, did I leave anything out?
Anyway, we all know how hard the RIAA is "trying". (yeah, like, trying our patience to the point of exasperation)
DMemberpessimist
Date: September 10, 2007 @ 9:35 PM
Re:
". . . SoundExchange, a music industry group that collects royalties from digital broadcasters and distributes them to artists and labels . . ."

Notice the half lie (or half truth).
How much of John Q. Public knows that SoundExhange is basically a functional arm of the RIAA, and helping out artists is NOT anywhere near an equal priority on their agenda?
DMemberpessimist
Date: September 10, 2007 @ 9:37 PM

And this story is from the AP (Associated Press)!
Folks, this is just one reason why the cartel has had so much going in their favor for so many years.
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 10, 2007 @ 11:32 PM
To help counter the mega-media lies is part of the reason why we are here.
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 11, 2007 @ 12:03 AM
What your favourite Web sites say about you

"The universe has many unanswered questions: are MySpace users inherently promiscuous? Does Facebook turn you into a social recluse? Is Slashdot populated exclusively by geeks who were bullied as children? Does habitual blogging make you a sad, attention-seeking Billy No-mates?"
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 11, 2007 @ 10:55 PM
Retailer Refuses Hardware Repair Due To Linux

At Slashdot Tikka writes:

"Today I visited PC World (London, UK) because my 5-month-old laptop has developed a manufacturing fault: the hinge to the display has started to crack the plastic casing. Anyone in the know will know that this is due to the joint inside, and it means that in time the screen will separate from the keyboard. Repair was refused, because I have Gentoo Linux on my laptop, replacing the Windows Vista that was pre-installed. PC World said that installing Linux had voided my warranty and there is nothing they will do for me. I spoke to a manager, who said that he has been told to refuse any repairs if the operating system has been changed. I feel this has really gone against my statutory rights and I will do everything I can to fight it. I will review comments for your advice."
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 11, 2007 @ 11:11 PM
the National Association of Broadcasters is launching ads to target lawmakers over a push by a consortium of technology companies including Google, Intel, HP, and MSFT who want to use unused and unlicensed TV spectrum (the so-called 'white space') for wireless broadband. Broadcasters are airing concerns about the devices creating interference with broadcast television. In a statement, NAB chairman Alan Frank takes a swipe at technology companies: 'While our friends at Intel, Google and Microsoft may find system errors, computer glitches and dropped calls tolerable, broadcasters do not.'
DMemberpessimist
Date: September 12, 2007 @ 3:08 AM
NEWS

Microsoft patents watermark to protect DRM-free music

The patent is for a digital-watermarking technology that could be used to protect the rights of content owners even when digital music is distributed without DRM protection.

Elizabeth Montalbano
PC World
Wednesday, September 12, 2007; 12:19 AM

Microsoft Corp. has won a patent for a digital-watermarking technology that could be used to protect the rights of content owners even when digital music is distributed without DRM protection.

The technology, called "stealthy audio watermarking," inserts and detects watermarks in audio signals that can identify the content producer, "providing a signature that is embedded in the audio signal and cannot be removed," according to a filing with the U.S. Patent and Trade Organization (USPTO).

The application forU.S. patent 7,266,697was filed May 3, 2004, by Darko Kirovski and Henrique Malvar, both of whom work at Microsoft Research. Malvar is a Microsoft distinguished engineer and managing director of Microsoft Research in Redmond, Washington, and Kirovski is a researcher there.

Microsoft currently has DRM (digital rights management) technology called Windows Media DRM that encrypts audio files and protects them from misuse or unauthorized redistribution. The company has traditionally been an outspoken proponent of using DRM to protect owners of digital content, though it said earlier this year it would consider selling DRM-free songs online after rival Apple Inc. struck a deal with EMI Group PLC to do so.

Forensic digital watermarking technology, like the technology Microsoft has patented, doesn't encrypt files the way DRM technology does or prevent people from unauthorized use. However, it can be used to prove who owns the content of the digital file by encoding a file with a unique digital signature. That means illegally traded songs could be tracked back to the original purchaser, allowing authorities to identify illegal sharers and serving as a deterrent.

The technology could also be used to track files for royalty distribution.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DMemberpessimist
Date: September 12, 2007 @ 3:11 AM

"Microsoft has traditionally been an outspoken proponent of using DRM to protect owners of digital content."

Grrr.
(This is yet ANOTHER reason for me to hate Microsoft!)
DMemberpessimist
Date: September 12, 2007 @ 11:41 PM
NEWS
China says it suffers "massive" internet spy damage

By Chris Buckley
Reuters
Wednesday, September 12, 2007; 4:30 AM

BEIJING (Reuters) - China has suffered "massive" losses of state secrets through the internet, a senior official said, as China faces reports that it has raided the computer networks of Western powers.

Vice Minister of Information Industry Lou Qinjian said his country was the target of a campaign of computer infiltration and subversion and proposed a raft of counter-measures including toughened censorship, new security bodies and commercial controls.

"In the internet technology products exported by the United States there are 'back doors' planted to engage in technological infiltration and theft of secrets," Lou said.
DMemberpessimist
Date: September 12, 2007 @ 11:44 PM
"In the internet technology products exported by the United States there are 'back doors' planted to engage in technological infiltration and theft of secrets . . ."

Well, there you have it, friends and neighbors: yet another reason for hating Microsoft's swiss-cheese operating systems and browser.

Reasons!! I may have to start compiling a list. (We're already off to a good start, it would appear.)
Intermediateautodidact
Date: September 13, 2007 @ 2:57 PM
I hope our raiding of China's state secrets can in some measure compensate for the sensitive missile technology allowed to be transferred to the Chinese Communists via the Loral corporation with the facilitation of the Clinton Administration. So thank goodness for software backdoors. Maybe we can undo some of the damage. I bet some of those Chi-Comm computers have RIAA music on 'em. Why couldn't the music industry sue them for a change? Let the RIAA pick on somebody their own size for a change.
Advancedpepe512000
Date: September 14, 2007 @ 11:52 PM
Considering this story has been circulating all over the net..it's probably the best news we've heard since the riaa started their personal war against their own customers....

People rejoice!

RIAA case dismissed as 'speculation



Otherindependentm...
Date: September 15, 2007 @ 3:10 AM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 15, 2007 @ 3:12 AM
The Many Paths to Data Corruption

Over at /. Runnin'Scared writes:

"Linux guru Alan Cox has an writeup on KernelTrap in which he talks about all the possible ways for data to get corrupted when being written to or read from a hard disk drive. This includes much of the information applicable to all operating systems. He prefaces his comments noting that the details are entirely device specific, then dives right into a fascinating and somewhat disturbing path tracing data from the drive, through the cable, into the bus, main memory and CPU cache. He also discusses the transfer of data via TCP and cautions, 'unfortunately lots of high performance people use checksum offload which removes much of the end to end protection and leads to problems with iffy cards and the like. This is well studied and known to be very problematic but in the market speed sells not correctness.'"
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 15, 2007 @ 3:20 AM
Lindor Attacks Record Company Copyright-Pooling

NewYorkCountryLawyer (...uh folks, that's Ray Beckerman if ya didn't already know!) writes:

"Back in March, 2006, Marie Lindor called the record companies suing her a collusive cartel, and their joint agreement to pool their copyrights "copyright misuse" (pdf). A year and a half later, the RIAA apparently got nervous about that allegation and made a motion to strike the allegations. Ms. Lindor has struck back, pointing out to the Judge not only that the RIAA's arguments had no legal basis, but also that its brief was completely silent as to any justification for the record companies' copyright-pooling agreement. Such a justification would be necessary for it to pass muster under 'rule of reason' analysis mandated by the US Supreme Court. Ms. Lindor, a home health worker who has never even used a computer, let alone infringed anyone's copyrights with a p2p file sharing program, is the same defendant who exposed, with a little help from her friends, some of the weaknesses in the RIAA's expert testimony. She also obtained a ruling that the RIAA's $750-per-song file damages theory might be a wee bit unconstitutional."
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 15, 2007 @ 3:25 AM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 15, 2007 @ 3:41 AM
FCC Says Analog TV Lives Until 2012

Hey, isn't that the year the Mayan calander says is the end of the world?
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 15, 2007 @ 3:45 AM
Fair Use is worth more than copyright?

CCIA says: fair use exceptions add more than $4.5 trillion in revenue to the U.S. economy and add more value to the U.S. economy than copyright industries contribute. "Recent studies indicate that the value added to the U.S. economy by copyright industries amounts to $1.3 trillion.", said CCIA President and CEO Ed Black. The value added to the U.S. economy by the fair use amounts to $2.2 trillion."
Advancedpepe512000
Date: September 15, 2007 @ 1:17 PM
Wow..here's a story that really surprised me...folks, the tables are definitely turning in a new direction!

[http://www.p2pnet.net/story/13327]P2P downloading OK in Canada[/url]

As far as the people in Canada were concerned, downloading was legal, but the music industry itself never settled for that...so this is disbelief at best...
Advancedpepe512000
Date: September 15, 2007 @ 1:19 PM
P2P downloading OK in Canada

http://www.p2pnet.net/story/13327

grrr.... :) (Smile)
DMemberpessimist
Date: September 15, 2007 @ 7:18 PM
"Hey, isn't that (2012 A.D.) the year the Mayan calander says is the end of the world?"

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE YEAR 2012?

The ending of the famous Mayan calendar reflects what will be the relative position of our sun nearest to the center of our Milky Way Constellation in the year 2012 A.D. (a "once-in-an-era" event occurring only every 6,400 years or so), providing the significance for the time span of this cycle.
As ACS publication's "The American Ephemeris for the 21st Century" verifies the fact that in the year 2012 our sun will indeed be nearest the galactic center than it has been since 6400 years ago — that time closely corresponding to the chronology dating back from the first several chapters of the Biblical book of Genesis.
The Mayans, with their extensive centuries-tested astronomical observations and calculations, were aware of this phenomenon millenia ago. They expected something dramatic to occur on planet Earth when their calendar would end.
The Illuminati, being inclined toward occultism and astrology, rely on these types of special occasions as justifying facilitation for change. And, from their viewpoint, what better transition could be arranged than to usher in a new world order (global government)?
In fact, the unwritten purpose of the Bilderbergs (Bilderbergers) is world government by the year 2012 along with an impending global army through the auspices of the United Nations.
Will they succeed? The way things have been going, the odds are on their side, my friend.
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 15, 2007 @ 11:22 PM
Whee! Tin-foil hat stuff is fun!

(and sometimes, kinda spooky too!)

:) (Smile)
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 15, 2007 @ 11:27 PM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 15, 2007 @ 11:34 PM
Creationists using DMCA to silence critics

More abuse of the bad bad law.
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 15, 2007 @ 11:37 PM
Torrentfreak claims MediaDefender set up fake torrent sites to entrap downloaders ...MediaDefender denied the charge, but now someone has leaked 700MB of internal e-mails that detail the whole thing.
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 15, 2007 @ 11:57 PM
DMemberpessimist
Date: September 16, 2007 @ 12:49 AM
"Whee! Tin-foil hat stuff is fun!
(and sometimes, kinda spooky too!)"
:) (Smile)

Yeah, the impending "new world order" will be spooky.
Thinking about its grim prospect isn't actually fun, though.

I guess we could just pretend it's not coming; not confronting the issue might make us all temporarily more comfortable (not having to deal with it coming to pass).
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 16, 2007 @ 11:46 PM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 17, 2007 @ 12:06 AM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 17, 2007 @ 12:09 AM
Even though your cable company may claim that a channel is in a digital tier that you're paying for, they may be sending it to you in analog form, with associated negative effects. Suprise! Are You Being Cheated by Digital Cable?
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 17, 2007 @ 1:25 AM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 17, 2007 @ 1:28 AM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 17, 2007 @ 1:33 AM
Venezuelan pianist, composer Romero dies

Venezuelan pianist and composer Aldemaro Romero, whose music was interpreted by artists from Tito Puente to Dean Martin, died Saturday. He was 79.
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 17, 2007 @ 10:48 PM
Trent Reznor Says "Steal My Music"


A few months ago, Trent Reznor (frontman of the band Nine Inch Nails), was in Australia doing an interview when he commented on the outrageous prices of CDs there. Apparently now his label, Universal Media Group is angry at him for having said that. During a concert last night, he told fans, '...Has anyone seen the price come down? Okay, well, you know what that means — STEAL IT. Steal away. Steal and steal and steal some more and give it to all your friends and keep on stealin'. Because one way or another these mother****ers will get it through their head that they're ripping people off and that's not right."
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 17, 2007 @ 10:55 PM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 17, 2007 @ 10:57 PM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 17, 2007 @ 10:58 PM
Advancedpepe512000
Date: September 18, 2007 @ 1:21 AM
Marketplace on NPR to air Series on RIAA Litigations, Today through Wednesday

The radio program "Marketplace", on National Public Radio, will be airing a series on the RIAA's litigation campaign. The programs will be running from today (Monday, September 17th) through Wednesday, September 19th.

source;
http://recordingindustryvspeople.blogspot.com/

In New York City, the show will be airing at 6:30 PM on Monday, September 17th, on 93.9 FM and 820 AM.

Otherindependentm...
Date: September 18, 2007 @ 1:58 AM
Advancedpepe512000
Date: September 19, 2007 @ 1:35 PM
Oh, this is soooo juicy!

DRM ‘violates Canadian privacy laws’

p2pnet news | DRM:- DRM (Digital Restrictions Management) consumer control applications are violating Canadian privacy laws, says a damning new report.

The federal government wisely decided to backtrack on a lawful access study after Ottawa law professor Dr Michael Geist recently revealed a “hand-picked, secret group” was involved in a “semi-public consultation on one element of lawful access” being studied by Public Safety Canada and Industry Canada.

Now, “DRM is being used to collect, use and disclose consumers’ personal information, often for secondary purposes, without dequate notice to the consumer, and without giving the consumer an opportunity to opt-out of unnecessary collection, use or disclosure of their personal information, as required under Canadian privacy law,” says the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC).

.....compliments of http://www.p2pnet.net/story/13358
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 21, 2007 @ 7:38 PM
Otherindependentm...
Date: September 21, 2007 @ 7:48 PM
Leave Britney Alone guy is new Web star

All it takes is a hundred thousand spins on the cable news channels.