The Tyranny of Copyright

Based on my reading about copyright seems like it has become one of the hottest topics involving the internet.  Understanding the meaning of copyright as in the dictionary “Copyright – symbolized “©” – is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time. Generally, it is “the right to copy”, but also gives the copyright holder the right to be credited for the work, to determine who may adapt the work to other forms, which may perform the work, which may financially benefit from it, and other, related rights. It is an intellectual property form (like the patent, the trademark, and the trade secret) applicable to any expressible form of an idea or information that is substantive and discrete.”  With a clear understanding of the meaning of the word, I return back to the article.  There are several opinions, groups and laws that are mentioned on this specific article.   One of several laws designed to protect copyrighted material on the Web is the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright act (D.M.C.A), which basically makes internet service provider liable for what is published in their sites.    There are some specific cases mentioned in the article that included their outcomes in Court as they are called by Siva Vaidhyanathan “copyright horror stories”.  Sometimes is really hard to understand if you don’t have the knowledge of what harm is done by just posting something in your web-page or other.

In a way I do agree with the Movies and Music industry, all the work to do lobbying to tighten the reins of downloads and copies.  Based on the article seems like the movies and music industries is loosing terrain money wise, an unless they come up with an idea as to who to share the ideas and at the same time make some profits, they will be first one to go as Robert Boynton wrote it in the article.  In 1998 there was an additional to the Digital millennium Copyright Act, the 1998 Copyright Term Extension Act that actually added 20 years of protection to past or present copyrighted work.  Then you got the side that is actually defending the “Copy Left” or “free culture movement” this group is actually more open to the idea of sharing free resources with others.  Is their opinion that copyright should be view more as to encourage innovation?  The idea of the Cultural Commons seems like good solutions for seekers of information and a place where authors could have their items filed and share with others as the copyright term comes to an end. 

As I see it after the way that the Copyright Law (or definition) has been written did not took into consideration all the innovations and changes that we will have, meaning the Internet.  Lawmakers haven’t been able to come up with a solution to this dilemma and as we keep progressing it will be more difficult to come up with an answer to this dilemma.  The organization funded by Lessig, Creative Commons offers new artist with a way to do their research without the worries of breaking the copyright laws.  Is also a way in which authors could actually gain back, because as they post some of their writings, lyrics, music, or whatever it be they are actually being exposed to more people which at the same time will bring them technically a free public relations if you will.

Cyber Bullying

Cyber bullying is new, growing, and practiced using technology to bully Internet users. Cyber bullies were restricted to methods as intimidation, mail, and the telephone. Now, bullies offer forums as e-mail, instant messenger, web sites, and digital photos added to the “arsenal”. The computers and cell phones are new tools could be applied to an “old practice”.

Cyber bullying can range in several forms from cruel, embarrassing, and rumors to threats or even stalking. It’s affected to any age group. Teenagers are common victims to these cyber bullies. Also it is a growing problem in schools all over the US.

The Internet is interesting for all the cyber bullies because it brings high intimidation and makes the tracing of the activity more difficult, and fun. Cyber bullies also find it easy to be vicious because there is no physical contact. The problem is that the Internet & e-mail can also be visibility to the cyber bullies because you put your information to your e-mail or the can track your IP Address. Your information, pictures posted online or mass e-mails can be reached by a larger group of people faster than original 1 e-mail per person, which causes more damage to the Internet users.

Cyber bullying also shows a tendency to more serious behavior, while bullying has and will always be an unfortunate reality. Cyber bullies have not been out long enough to have a ground on research, “but there is show of evidence that it may be an early warning for more violent behavior.” – US-CERT

Google as Big Brother

Google, one of about 4 search engines that matter have the technology to show much more of the web on a regular basis. July 2003, Yahoo owned Overture, All the web, AltaVista; etc… and finally ended up dumping Google in February of 2004. Yahoo turned into a major search engine and was now able to complete their conquest to doing that.

After only 1 year, Yahoo showed their main index search engine similar with Google. It’s true; even though Yahoo has gone through “pay-per-click” links into the main index search engine. Yahoo’s success is of Google’s main index search engine. “There is only a 20 percent overlap between Yahoo’s 1st 100 results and Google’s 1st 100 results for the same search in their engine.” as the article said. The main difference is the depth of the show.

Microsoft developed their own engine because they found themselves in between the engines of Overture and Inktomi {both of which became Yahoo’s property}. 2003, Microsoft began experimenting with their own “search engine”. Their engine was put out in 2005. Thousands of engineers in thousands of companies know now how to design search engines.

We now have Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft, with the exception of looking out for “Ask Jeeves”. Their search engine is good, and they were serious about expanding a new movement, but Google took easily the number 1 spot of the search engines. They provide about 75 percent of the referrals for a lot of websites.

The privacy struggle included both the old issue of costumer protection and the new issue of the gov. surveillance, which means that Google treats the data they collects from users really well. Google is the main attraction to the web, that whatever it does towards privacy; it has massive affects for the rest of the web in general.

Google Quotes:

“What we believe is that Google, Inc. is at a fork in the road, and they have some big decisions to make. This Google Watch site is trying to articulate and publicize the situation at Google, and encourage more scrutiny of their operations. By doing this, we hope to play a small part in maintaining the web as an information tool that is more useful for the masses, than it is for the elites.” – Google Watch {Google}

Net Neutrality

Maine Republican Senator Olympia Snowe and North Dakota Democrat Senator Byron Dorgan teamed up to introduce a identical version of their bill, known as the Internet Freedom Preservation Act, which was removed last year. The bill being put back “marks another step toward ensuring the fate of the Internet lies in the hands of its users and not the hands of a few gatekeepers,” as Snowe said in a statement.

Internet companies, costumers, and a big number of important people ranging from actress Alyssa Milano to Vint Cerf argued that any action of limiting threatens the freedoms that Internet users have always enjoyed. Snowe & Dorgan’s legislation would tip network operators from blocking access to Internet and preventing costumers from connecting externals to the network with exceptions for security/virus.

The measure would allow applications, only if it is done for all types of that particular content without a fee. That means that Verizon, etc… could set aside pipe for all users to generate video contents, but it would have to make that pipe available to all sites for free. The bill also proposes that all broadband companies must offer customers the option of buying broadband service by it self or the whole package. The senators introduced the “same bill” as an amendment to communications last year. It failed by 11-11 votes that was mostly party lines; Democrats voting in favor.

“In the House of Representatives, Rep. Edward Markey is expected to reintroduce his own Net neutrality proposal, which seeks similar requirements to the Senate version but was defeated by the Republican-controlled chamber last year. An aide to the Massachusetts Democrat, who was formally named chairman of a House Internet and telecommunications subcommittee on Tuesday, said it was not immediately clear when that action would occur.” – Anne Broache {CNET News}

<>    I like this picture due to the fact that it has a depth of field. Also it has a mirrior image of one side to the other. I sketch of a real tear drop onto the lake.

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