Managing Rights Management

CD Copy Protection Ease Of Use - Not

Martin McKeay's rant against music CD copy protection is worth a read. In addition to obvious ease-of-use issues, McKeay's experience points to substantial problems with legacy player systems. As much as the music, consumer electronics, and computer industries might like consumers to update their systems, the ability to play copy... Read more →

Internet Archives And Copyright

Miriam Clinton's thoughtful article, "The Internet Library: rip, mix or burn?" merits attention. Issues addressed include the impact of technology obsolescence on preservation and access. Snippets: [Brewster] Kahle’s concern, like mine, is that through new Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems – software being used to “copy-protect” CDs and digital files,... Read more →

Recently Published Patent Applications

Every Thursday, the US Patent and Trademark Office publishes pending patent applications. Publication has no bearing on whether a patent will eventually be issued based on the application. Still, issued patents and published applications are often indicators of what people have been thinking about and the kinds of things that... Read more →

David Berlind on DRM

ZDNet's David Berlind has a longish but worthwhile blogicle that essentiall addressses how DRM technologies are being used by Apple, Microsoft, and others to gain competitive advantage while inconveniencing consumers. Among the valid points raised are the eventual failure or obsolescence of players and the need for interoperability among DRM... Read more →

HRRC Opposes RIAA On Recording Digital Radio

The Home Recording Rights Coalition issued a press release stating its opposition to an RIAA proposal that would limit the rights of consumers to record so-called "high definition radio." Snippets: Today, HRRC Chairman Gary Shapiro said: -- "The most startling aspect of the RIAA's proposal is that it is not... Read more →

Recently Issued Patents

The US Patent Office issues new patents on Tuesdays. Issued patents and published applications may be early indicators of the kinds of issues being addressed by inventors and/or the companies for whom they work. Assigned to InterTrust, the first of today's patents describes ways of managing transaction record delivery using... Read more →

EU Newspaper Study - Commission

DM Europe reports that the EU is studying how newspapers might cope with major strategic challenges, include the decline of advertising revenue, the aging of their readership base, and the preference of younger people to get their information via digital technologies rather than from print. Snippets: The study [of newspapers]... Read more →

Christian rockers risk wrath of DMCA with DRM tips

The Register (UK) is among the media outlets reportingthat Christian band Switchfoot has been telling its fans how to break the DRM on its CDs. Snippets: Quoting bassist Tim Foreman: "My heart is heavy with this whole copy-protection thing," he wrote on the band's website last week after it came... Read more →

InfoWeek On Rights Education At Home and Abroad

InfoWeek has an article commenting on the Bush adminstration's apparent desire to prioritize educating other countries regarding intellectual property rights and a response suggesting that education at home should come first. Patricia Keefe's article got things started. Editor Mitch Wagner continued the discussion. A few snippets: Keefe: I just don't... Read more →

Recently Issued Patents

[Catching up having had to focus on client work.] The US Patent Office issues new patents on Tuesdays. Issued patents and published applications may be early indicators of the kinds of issues being addressed by inventors and/or the companies for whom they work. Assigned to Microsoft, the first patent describes... Read more →