June 25, 2003
Public domain gets a boost
Larry Lessig got Rep. Boucher to come aboard as a co-sponsor of the Public Domain Enhancement Act. Larry reports from Washington on his blog.
Hulk's sidekick: the copyright laws
From Thursday's NY Times: Hulk Vanquishes an Evildoer for Bootlegging His New Film.
The powerful superhero known as the Hulk smote his enemy yesterday with help from a rather mundane source: the copyright laws of the United States.And this was no comic-book battle.
The intrigue began in early June when a bootleg version of the new movie "The Hulk" appeared on the Internet, a couple of weeks before the film was to open in theaters.
Yesterday, a contrite New Jersey man who works in the insurance business walked into United States District Court in Manhattan and admitted that he had done the deed.
Nuke component unearthed in Baghdad back yard
Breaking news from CNN.com: Iraqi scientist turns over centrifuge, needed to develop nuclear bomb, that had been hidden in Baghdad. The CIA has in its possession the critical parts of a key piece of Iraqi nuclear technology -- parts needed to develop a bomb program, CNN has learned. The parts were unearthed by an Iraqi scientist who had hidden them in his back yard under a rose bush 12 years ago under orders from the Iraqi regime.
Spike: Bag the ego, buddy
Where does Spike Lee get off claiming that he's the only Spike in the world? My friend Spike Markovitz and Spike and Mike's Classic Festival of Animation and Sick and Twisted Festival of Animation would beg to differ.
How the Web can restore journalism's credibility
Steve Outing in E&P offers interactive solutions to the Jayson Blair scandal.
Internet primary results in 2 days
MoveOn says the results of the first Internet presidential primary won't be known until Friday, when its independent polling firm releases the results. Meantime, they say more people cast ballots than participated in the 2000 Democratic primaries in New Hampshire and the caucuses in Iowa combined.
Jersey version of Windows XP
Dear Consumas:
It has come ta our attention dat a cupola copies of the Windows XP New Joisey Edition may have been shipped outsida Joisey. If ya got one a dese, you may need some help unnerstanin da commands.
Da Joisey edition may be recognized by da unique openin' screen. It reads: "Windas XP", wit a background pitcha a Hoboken. When yous start da program, instead a da usual hary stringy like music, you hear a little Springsteen. It's also shipped wit a Sopranos screen sava.
Please also note:
Recycle bin is labeled "Newark"
My Computer is called "My Friggin' Computa"
The Inbox is referred to as "Da Trunk"
Deleted items are referred to s "Wacked", "Erased" or "Rubbed Out"
Control Panel is known as "The Bosses"
Performing an "illegal operation" is known as "Enhancin' da Family Business" and will actually maximize da program instead a shuttin' it down
Hard Drive is referred to as "Da Turnpike on Da Way to Da Shore"
Instead of an error message, "You Ain't Gonna Friggin' Believe Dis'" pops up.
Changes in Terminology in Da Joisey Edition:
OK . . . . Sure ting
Cancel . . . . Fugetabouit
Reset . . . . Start ova
Yes . .. . . Yeah
No . . . . Nah
Find . . . . Put a Contract Out On
Browse . . . . Get a Looksee
Back . .. . . U-Toin
Help . . . . Get Your Own Friggin' Ansa
Stop . . . . Knock it Off
Start . . . . Move it
Settings . . . . Here's da Rules
We regret any inconvenience it may have caused if you mistakenly got a copy of the Joisey Edition (not). You may return it to Microsoft for a replacement version.
You gotta problem wit dat?
How Netflix is fixing Hollywood
Business 2.0: By finding a market for niche titles -- and keeping discs in constant circulation -- the online DVD rental pioneer Netflix is shaking up the movie biz.
You know, when I left my last dot-com job, as director of content for ecommerce facilitator iVendor, the CEO told me to consider applying to this curious little startup called Netflix, run by a friend of his, Reed Hastings. I considered it briefly, but decided not to. The idea of a startup company delivering DVDs by the mail to customers (now 1 million subscribers and counting) just sounded preposterous. Who would have thunk it?
Libraries to feds: Keep your money
San Jose Merc: Many libraries will skip grants to avoid using Net filters.
RIAA expanding piracy fight
Reuters via Wired News: RIAA Threatens Orgy of Lawsuits. A recording-industry trade group said Wednesday it plans to sue hundreds of individuals who illegally distribute copyright songs over the Internet, expanding its antipiracy fight into millions of homes.
Arnold, Howard Stern match wits
Funny interview with Calif. Gov.-wannabe Arnold Schwarzenegger on shock jock Howard Stern's radio program Tuesday. Excerpt:
But you're signed already for 'Terminator' 4 and 5," said Stern. "Can you make movies while being governor?"''You can't do both at the same time," said the actor. "If you could work at night doing 'Terminator,' and then daytime as governor, that would be ideal.
But, I'm not a machine. I only play one."
Schwarzenegger said before he ever decided on a run, "I obviously have to talk to the Almighty . . . Maria." [His wife, Maria Shriver.]
How bad has CNN.com become?
How bad has CNN.com become? Here's a transcript of an interview with a magazine editor about last weekend's Cannes Lions, the awards ceremony for creative advertising. Excerpt:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP OF COMMERICIAL)(MUSIC)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
No links. No Quicktime video of the ads. No nothing.
NewsHour on the Spam Wars
I had missed this PBS NewsHour report on spam -- caught the program Friday (with the wonderful James Gleick being interviewed on the subject), but overlooked the online transcript.
