News of the Week

The Fair Use/Fair Dealing Handbook

A compilation of Fair Use/Fair Dealing provisions from over 40 countries around the world: http://infojustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/band-and-gerafi-2013.pdf

jon

University of Pennsylvania Law School I.P. Symposium “Creation Nation: IP & The Rise of Prosumerism” Friday, March 29, 2013

Am honoured to be speaking on a panel with Greg Lastowka and Mark Methenitis on modding and video games. The entire program (which is excellent  and covers legal challenges in fan fiction and 3D printing as well) is here: 2013 Symposium » Penn Intellectual Property Group.

There will be a live stream of the event which should be up about ten minutes before it formally convenes at 2 PM EST. Accodingly you should be able to link to the stream beginning around 10:50 AM PST here:  https://www.law.upenn.edu/newsevents/live/webcast.php?vid=rooms/videogk100

jon

News of the Week; March 27, 2013

1. Bug in EA’s Battlefield Play4Free allows attackers to hijack players’ PCs: http://arstechnica.com/security/2013/03/bug-in-eas-battlefield-play4free-allows-attackers-to-hijack-players-pcs/

2. Kaiju Combat Kickstarter Suspended Over Trademark Infringement Claim: http://www.gamepolitics.com/2013/03/21/kaiju-combat-kickstarter-suspended-over-trademark-infringement-claim#.UU9pWb_R1Lx

3. Video Game Retailers Receive High Marks from 2012 FTC Secret Shopper Survey: http://www.gamepolitics.com/2013/03/25/video-game-retailers-receive-high-marks-2012-ftc-secret-shopper-survey#.UVHvg7_R1Lw

4. New Research Suggests Extended ‘Screen Time’ Does Not Breed Bad Behavior in Young Children: http://www.gamepolitics.com/2013/03/26/new-research-suggests-extended-screen-time-does-not-breed-bad-behavior-young-children#.UVI0xr_R1Lw

5. Pratchett: Nobody talks about how well Nathan Drake represents men: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-03-21-pratchett-nobody-talks-about-how-well-nathan-drake-represents-men?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=european-daily

6. Developer takes aim at gun control debate: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-03-20-the-best-amendment-game-tackles-gun-control?

7. Piracy and plush counterfeits key to Plants v. Zombies’ surprise success in China: http://www.polygon.com/2013/3/26/4146676/plants-vs-zombies-china-great-wall-edition-gdcs

8. Oculus Rift: Seeing is Believing: http://www.gamespot.com/events/gdc-2013/video.html?sid=6405910

9. Wiretap laws apply to text messages, court rules: http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2013/03/27/technology-telus-text-messages-scc-decision.html

10. Microsoft Releases Report on Law Enforcement Requests: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/22/technology/microsoft-releases-report-on-law-enforcement-requests.html?nl=technology&emc=edit_tu_20130321&_r=1&

11. What You Didn’t Post, Facebook May Still Know: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/26/technology/facebook-expands-targeted-advertising-through-outside-data-sources.html?nl=technology&emc=edit_tu_20130326&_r=0

12. Is the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act the ‘worst law in technology’?: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/mar/20/computer-fraud-abuse-act-law-technology

13. Why Nevada’s first online gambling license is more symbol than substancehttp://gigaom.com/2013/03/26/why-nevadas-first-online-gambling-license-is-more-symbol-than-substance/

14. US Senate votes in favor of proposed nationwide internet sales taxes: http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/23/4138388/us-senate-marketplace-fairness-act-of-2013-symbolic-vote-results-internet-sales-tax

15. Judges as Bad Reviewers: Fair Use and Epistemological Humility by Rebecca Tushnet: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2230071

jon

Pennsylvania stadium adds video games to bathrooms

How do we feel about “hands-free” urinal video games?

http://www.torontosun.com/2013/03/27/pennsylvania-stadium-aims-to-please-fans-with-urinal-video-games

I guess my concern is, how does a hands-free game publish top scorer names without players touching anything?

Microsoft XBox Panned for Virtual Thefts, Disputed Charges

take a look at this CBC article from March 25, 2013, that deals with “virtual theft” of a young gamer’s players that he purchased on-line.  Our own Professors Jon Festinger and Joel Baken of UBC Law also provide some expert commentary on this situation.

link:http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/news/story/2013/03/22/bc-fifa-hacking.html

Your Children are not Your Children: Why NYT public editor is Wrong on Children’s Right to Privacy

“Your Children are not Your Children: Why NYT public editor is Wrong on Children’s Right to Privacy” by Zeynep Tufekci is a must read after our class this past week. Ordinarily would just include in the weekly News of the Week round-up. However this piece deserves special mention at the very least for its relevant to us timing – and as you will read – for a good deal more then that: http://technosociology.org/?p=1234

jon

News of the Week; March 20,2013

1. Nintendo found guilty of patent infringement over glasses-free 3DS technology: http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/13/4100924/nintendo-guilty-of-patent-infringement-3ds-technology

2. Major vulnerability in EA’s Origin platform lets hackers overtake PCs: http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/19/4124456/major-vulnerability-ea-origin-hackers-overtake-gamer-pcs

3. Defeating mobile game clones: Why copyright protection is not enough: http://venturebeat.com/2013/03/16/defeating-mobile-game-clones-why-copyright-protection-is-not-enough/

4. Research: Playing Shooters Improves Visual Search: http://gamepolitics.com/2013/03/15/research-playing-shooters-improves-visual-search#.UUTATKXR1Lw

5. Video Games and Societal Violence: Cause for Urgent Action or a Bridge Too Far?: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-levine/video-games-and-societal-_b_2859598.html

6. Reading, Writing and Video Games: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/17/sunday-review/reading-writing-and-video-games.html?nl=technology&emc=edit_tu_20130318

7. Modder Shows How SimCity Can Be Played Offline: http://www.gamepolitics.com/2013/03/14/modder-shows-how-simcity-can-be-played-offline#.UUK0CKXR1Ly

8. (U.S.)   Supreme Court Rules That First Sale Doctrine Not Limited by Geographyhttp://www.gamepolitics.com/2013/03/19/supreme-court-rules-first-sale-doctrine-not-limited-geography#.UUj8zqXR1Lw

+ Issues in Kirtsaeng ‘Significant’: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/copyright/article/56444-grimmelmann-issues-in-kirtsaeng-too-signifcant-to-end-with-supreme-court.html

+ Link to decision in Kirtsaeng v. John Wiley & Sons (SCOTUS): http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/12pdf/11-697_d1o2.pdf

9. Appeals court rejects record label’s effort to neuter DMCA safe harbor: http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/03/appeals-court-rejects-record-labels-effort-to-neuter-dmca-safe-harbor/

+ Link to Veoh (US 9th Circuit) decision: http://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2013/03/14/09-55902.pdf

10. (U.S.) Supreme Court Refuses To Hear Appeal in $222,000 File-Sharing Case: http://torrentfreak.com/supreme-court-refuses-to-hear-appeal-in-222000-file-sharing-case-130318/

11. Hacker Case Leads to Calls for Better Law: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/18/technology/outcry-over-computer-crime-indictment-of-matthew-keys.html?nl=technology&emc=edit_tu_20130318&_r=0

12. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REGIME IN CANADA – Report of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (March 2013): http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/HOC/Committee/411/INDU/Reports/RP6038442/411_INDU_Rpt03_PDF/411_INDU_Rpt03-e.pdf

13. The head of the Copyright Office says the law is broken — but can she fix it in time?: http://mobile.theverge.com/2013/3/20/4126936/copyright-register-today-will-embark-on-mission-to-overhaul-us

+ Register Of Copyright Suggests That Personal Downloading Should Not Be Seen As ‘Piracy’: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130320/13493222399/register-copyright-suggests-that-personal-downloading-should-not-be-seen-as-piracy.shtml?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

14. MIT And Aaron Swartz’s Lawyers Argue Over Releasing Evidence: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130320/00571422386/mit-aaron-swartzs-lawyers-argue-over-releasing-evidence.shtml?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

15. Privacy is dead: http://www.technollama.co.uk/privacy-is-dead

16. Collateral Censorship and Freedom of the Press – Christina Mulligan: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2224058

17. Jonathan Zittrain on Google Glass (audio): http://stitcher.com/s/player.php?eid=22175195&refid=eml20130104

18. Elon Musk Refuses To File Patents At His High-Tech Private Space Company: http://www.businessinsider.com/why-some-companies-are-not-filing-patents-2013-3#ixzz2NjKy6h8W

19. SC5 pays salaries in Bitcoin: http://blog.sc5.fi/2013/03/sc5-pays-salaries-in-bitcoin/

 + US regulator: Bitcoin exchanges must comply with money-laundering laws: http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/03/us-regulator-bitcoin-exchanges-must-comply-with-money-laundering-laws/

And in the not really relevant category:

20. Applicants face significant hurdles in registering flavour and scent trademarks in the U.S.: http://www.canadiantechnologyiplaw.com/2013/03/articles/intellectual-property/trademarks/applicants-face-significant-hurdles-in-registering-flavour-and-scent-trademarks-in-the-us/

And in the sometimes all you have is sarcasm department:

21. BREAKING: Girls Play Video Games, Local News Discovers: http://m.kotaku.com/5991151/breaking-girls-play-video-games-local-news-discovers

 jon

UK Intellectual Property Office helps law students with term papers

Thanks to “The 1709 Blog” for noting and posting links to some very useful largely empirical studies commissioned by the UK IPO. These may be very helpful to those doing papers on related subjects. Having taken a look through as there is tons of good stuff here, especially on the economic impact on copyright holders (actually non-economic impact) of certain classes of use.

Link to the original blogpost from The 1709 Blog: http://the1709blog.blogspot.ca/2013/03/parody-pastiche-private-copying-ukipos.html?m=1

Link to the IPO page: http://www.ipo.gov.uk/pro-ipresearch.htm?debugdate=15.03.13&debugtime=9:30

Link to “Evaluating the impact of parody on the exploitation of copyright works”: http://www.ipo.gov.uk/ipresearch-parody-report1-150313.pdf?debugdate=15.03.13&debugtime=9:30 

Link to “The Treatment of Parodies Under Copyright Law in Seven Jurisdictions”: http://www.ipo.gov.uk/ipresearch-parody-report2-150313.pdf?debugdate=15.03.13&debugtime=9:30   

Link to “Copyright and the Economic Effects of Parody”: http://www.ipo.gov.uk/ipresearch-parody-report3-150313.pdf?debugdate=15.03.13&debugtime=9:30   

Link to “Private copying”: http://www.ipo.gov.uk/ipresearch-private-150313.pdf?debugdate=15.03.13&debugtime=9:30

jon

News of the Week; March 13, 2013

1. Top 10 New IP Paper Downloads: http://writtendescription.blogspot.ca/2013/03/top-10-new-ip-paper-downloads.html

2. Appeals Court: ‘Ed Sullivan’ Clip in ‘Jersey Boys’ is Fair Use: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/appeals-court-ed-sullivan-clip-427260

3. US Supreme Court limits standing to sue in a case that will likely impact privacy and data breach plaintiffs: http://www.edwardswildman.com/files/News/543d63b5-4962-48f6-b71f-e0d2192720f6/Presentation/NewsAttachment/3e09a485-a60e-4fc4-b513-4d34f91e09f3/2013-CA-USSupremeCourtLimits-March-v2.pdf

4. Google Concedes That Drive-By Prying Violated Privacy: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/13/technology/google-pays-fine-over-street-view-privacy-breach.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=1&

5. Aaron Swartz’s lawyer accuses prosecutor of misconduct – Lawyers will move to unseal evidence against Swartz later this week: http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/03/aaron-swartzs-lawyer-accuses-prosecutor-of-misconduct/

6. 3D printing gunmaker forms company to flout copyright law, à la the Pirate Bay: http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/03/3d-printing-gunmaker-forms-company-to-flout-copyright-law-a-la-the-pirate-bay/

7. Fifteen Years of DMCA Abuse: https://www.eff.org/press/releases/fifteen-years-dmca-abuse

8. Copyright and car crashes: do sports have an author?: http://ipkitten.blogspot.ca/2013/03/copyright-and-car-crashes-do-sports.html?m=1

9. A Feminist Reviews Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft: http://www.forbes.com/sites/carolpinchefsky/2013/03/12/a-feminist-reviews-tomb-raiders-lara-croft/

10. Ridley Scott and Machinima team up to produce 12 original sci-fi shorts: http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/11/4091192/ridley-scott-and-machinima-team-up-to-produce-12-original-sci-fi

11. Zynga VP calls debate over copying games ‘vastly overblown’: http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/11/4089056/zynga-vp-calls-debate-over-copying-games-vastly-overblown

12. Steam Box is exciting – but don’t expect it to be “Open”: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-03-08-steam-box-is-exciting-but-dont-expect-it-to-be-open

And in the not really relevant category:

13. Judge Blocks New York City’s Limits on Big Sugary Drinks: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/12/nyregion/judge-invalidates-bloombergs-soda-ban.html?emc=na&_r=0

jon

News of the Week; March 6, 2013

1. I’m a Victim of Gun Violence. I’m Also a Video Game Developer: http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2013/02/28/a_victim_of_gun_violence_who_is_also_a_video_game_developer_weighs_in_on.html

2. Gun Control Debate: Violent Video Games Actually Decrease Violence, Study Finds: http://www.policymic.com/articles/28280/violent-video-games-actually-decrease-violence-study-finds

3. “SIX STRIKES,” PIRACY, AND YOUR INTERNET: http://ihogeek.com/2013/03/01/sixstrikes/

4. The Corporate Coup Over Copyright Infringement: http://clearancebinreview.com/2013/02/28/dr-geek-the-corporate-coup-over-copyright-infringement/

5. A Rational System of Design Patent Remedies (paper by Mark Lemley): http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2226508

6. Opening Arguments in Nintendo 3D Patent Infringement Case: http://gamepolitics.com/2013/02/27/opening-arguments-nintendo-3d-patent-infringement-case

7. Licensors beware! Second Circuit decision confirms policy concerns in patent law trump contract law: http://www.hodgsonruss.com/Home/News_Seminars/Articles_and_Alerts/LicensorsBewareSecondCircuitDecisionConfirmsPolicyConcernsinPatentLawTrumpContractLaw

8. Square Enix “investigating” after Tesco stores break Tomb Raider street date: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-03-04-some-tesco-stores-have-broken-tomb-raider-street-date

9. 38 Studios’ Schilling wants fraud lawsuit dismissed: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-03-05-38-studios-schilling-wants-fraud-lawsuit-

10. EA Backtracks A Bit On The Whole “Microtransactions In Every Game” Thing: http://consumerist.com/2013/03/06/ea-backtracks-a-bit-on-the-whole-microtransactions-in-every-game-thing/

11. Kids Reveal The Real Flaws Of Free-To-Play Games: http://kotaku.com/5988036/kids-reveal-the-real-flaws-of-free+to+play-games

12. Games Workshop and the Space Marine trademark spat (Jas Purewal): http://www.gamerlaw.co.uk/2013/games-workshop-space-marine/

13. What the Harlem Shake can teach us about copyright: http://the1709blog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/what-harlem-shake-can-teach-us-about.html?m=1

14. Egyptian protestors trade ‘Harlem Shake’ taunts with Islamist regime: http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/3/4061498/harlem-shake-meme-becomes-political-in-egypt

15. Life Inside the Aaron Swartz Investigation: http://m.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/13/03/life-inside-the-aaron-swartz-investigation/273654/

16. Google’s ‘Ingress’ augmented reality game puts Android users into a battle against worldwide mind control: http://www.theverge.com/2012/11/15/3649668/google-ingress-augmented-reality-game-beta

17. A Museum’s Games Are Not on Pedestals: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/04/arts/video-games/a-museums-games-are-not-on-pedestals.html?nl=technology&emc=edit_tu_20130304&_r=0

18. A History of Gaming Platforms: Atari 2600 Video Computer System/VCS: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/131956/a_history_of_gaming_platforms_.php?print=1

19. The glorious propaganda of Eve Online: http://killscreendaily.com/articles/news/glorious-propaganda-eve/

And in the not really relevant category:

20. I Sold My Video Games To Pay For My Wedding, And Said Goodbye To Part Of Myself: http://kotaku.com/5988493/i-sold-my-video-games-to-pay-for-my-wedding-and-said-goodbye-to-part-of-myself

21. Oakland Rapper Pope Emeritus Threatens Lawsuit: http://m.newyorker.com/online/blogs/borowitzreport/2013/02/oakland-rapper-pope-emeritus-threatens-lawsuit.html

22. A new twist to Chubby Checker: http://www.internationallawoffice.com/newsletters/detail.aspx?g=ffb56d7f-6a77-400c-8dce-9b6c393d6bc6

jon

 

News of the Week; Feb. 27,2013

  

1. Make A Counterstrike Map Of A Montreal Metro Station, Get Threatened With $50,000 Fine: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130219/17273422032/make-counterstrike-map-montreal-metro-station-get-threatened-with-50000-fine.shtml

2. Former FBI Profiler: Video Games Do Not Cause Violencehttp://gamepolitics.com/2013/02/25/former-fbi-profiler-video-games-do-not-cause-violence#.USwJD6XR0m0

3. Majority of Americans Believe Games Contribute to Violence: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/122351-Majority-of-Americans-Believe-Games-Contribute-to-Violence

4. Fear of a Woman Warrior: http://www.gamespot.com/features/fear-of-a-woman-warrior-6404142/?part=rss&subj=6404142

5. Sony patent application measures load times to detect pirated games: http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/02/sony-patent-application-measures-load-times-to-detect-pirated-games/

6. BFI to administer games tax relief cultural test: http://www.develop-online.net/news/43372/BFI-to-administer-games-tax-relief-cultural-test

7. Zynga announces more job cuts, closures—will online gambling keep it afloat?: http://arstechnica.com/business/2013/02/zynga-announces-more-job-cuts-closures-will-online-gambling-keep-it-afloat/

8. New Jersey Passes Online Gambling Law: http://gamepolitics.com/2013/02/26/new-jersey-passes-online-gambling-law

9. “The Illegal Process: Basic Problems in the Making and Application of Censorship” by James Grimmelmann: http://lawreview.uchicago.edu/sites/lawreview.uchicago.edu/files/uploads/Dialogue/Grimmelmann%20Online.pdf

In response to:

10. “Orwell’s Armchair” by Derek Bambauer: http://lawreview.uchicago.edu/sites/lawreview.uchicago.edu/files/uploads/79_3/01%20Bambauer%20ART.pdf

11. A Charter Right to Search Google?: http://blog.bennettjones.com/blog/2013/02/13/a-charter-right-to-search-google/

12. Via Michael Geist – R. v. Fearon: the Ontario CA decision on searching cellphones without a warrant if no password protection: http://www.ontariocourts.ca/decisions/2013/2013ONCA0106.htm

13. Alan Westin, scholar who helped shape internet privacy law, dies at 83: http://mobile.theverge.com/2013/2/25/4027072/alan-westin-legal-scholar-privacy-law-obituary

14. I used Google Glass: the future, but with monthly updates: http://www.theverge.com/2013/2/22/4013406/i-used-google-glass-its-the-future-with-monthly-updates

15. French Tax Proposal Zeroes In on Web Giants’ Data Harvest: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/25/technology/french-tax-proposal-zeroes-in-on-web-giants-data-harvest.html?nl=technology&emc=edit_tu_20130225

16. Property, intangible: Who, Exactly, is an “Author”?: http://www.propertyintangible.com/2013/02/who-exactly-is-author.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+PropertyIntangible+(Property,+intangible)&m=1

17. Internet providers launch controversial Copyright Alert System, promise ‘education’ over lawsuits: http://mobile.theverge.com/2013/2/25/4026194/infamous-six-strike-anti-piracy-program-barks-harder-than-it-bites

18. Buying Keyword Ads on People’s Names Doesn’t Violate Their Publicity Rights: http://www.forbes.com/sites/ericgoldman/2013/02/25/buying-keyword-ads-on-peoples-names-doesnt-violate-their-publicity-rights/

19. The Use of Legal Scholarship in Intellectual Property Decisions: http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2013/02/scholarship-roundup-the-use-of-legal-scholarship-in-intellectual-property-decisions.html

And in the not really relevant category:

20. New York Yankees: Yes, We’re ‘Evil’: http://m.wsj.com/articles/a/SB10001424127887323549204578320531185286140?mg=reno64-wsj

21. Judge: Mocking Lindsay Lohan Is Allowed; Plagiarizing A Court Filing, Not So Much: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130222/08194922069/judge-mocking-lindsay-lohan-is-allowed-plagiarizing-court-filing-not-so-much.shtml

jon

News of the Week; Feb. 20, 2013 (Reading Week Edition)

1. Real Crime in Virtual Worlds: http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/JohnKrajewski/20130214/186639/Real_Crime_in_Virtual_Worlds.php

2. EA and Zynga Settle The Ville -The Sims: Social Lawsuits: http://www.gamepolitics.com/2013/02/15/ea-and-zynga-settle-ville-sims-social-lawsuits#.UR8TLRG9KSM

3. Snap happy! Freedom of speech is a human right – and it trumps copyright, Strasbourg judges rule: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2275796/Snap-happy-Freedom-spe @GamePolitics: Fourteen Video Games on View at Museum of Modern Art http://t.co/Upox6sR6 #eca

4. @GamePolitics: Fourteen Video Games on View at Museum of Modern Art: http://t.co/Upox6sR6

5. Research: As Violent Video Game Sales Climb, Violent Crime Among Youths Decreases: http://www.gamepolitics.com/2013/02/13/research-violent-video-game-sales-climb-crime-among-youths-decreases#.UR9AI6XR0m0

6. Why creativity is like a slot machine:http://t.co/TSt6hdY0

7. Virtual currency and virtual property revisited: http://www.technollama.co.uk/virtual-currency-and-virtual-property-revisited 

8. The Privacy Legal Implications of Big Data: A Primer: http://www.infolawgroup.com/2013/02/articles/big-data/the-privacy-legal-implications-of-big-data-a-primer/?

9. As 3-D Printing Becomes More Accessible, Copyright Questions Arise: http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/02/19/171912826/as-3-d-printing-become-more-accessible-copyright-questions-arise

10. Facebook’s Biggest Problem With Brands Right Now: ‘Illegal’ Competitions: http://www.businessinsider.com/the-biggest-problem-facebook-needs-to-address-for-brands-right-now-2013-2

11. Report: Chinese Government Creating Criteria for Online Gaming Addictionhttp://www.gamepolitics.com/2013/02/19/report-chinese-government-creating-criteria-online-gaming-addiction#.USQhxaXR0m0

12. Sony’s EyePad patent shows off a controller that can bring real-world items into games: http://www.theverge.com/2013/2/19/4005890/sony-eyepad-controller-patent-shows-off-3d-mapping-cameras

13. Internet platforms can assume the role of publisher and become liable for defamation, rules (U.K.) Court of Appeal: http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2013/february/internet-platforms-can-assume-the-role-of-publisher-and-become-liable-for-defamation-rules-court-of-appeal/

Tamiz v Google Inc [2013] EWCA Civ 68 (14 February 2013): http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/markup.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2013/68.html&query=tamiz&method=Boolean

And in the not really relevant category:

14. What if Crim Law was taught by cartoons?: http://www.abajournal.com/books/article/podcast_episode_018/

15. Shaw Industries files declaratory judgment action against Hershey over KISSES® marks: http://www.natlawreview.com/article/shaw-industries-files-declaratory-judgment-action-against-hershey-over-kisses-tradem

jon

Playstation 4 just unveiled!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21526450

Some really cool cloud features, including gamers remotely being able to take over their friends’ controllers if they get stuck. I’m very curious about the new Xbox and hope that this new piece of news today will provide the impetus for Microsoft to leak some details soon!

Paper inspirations

As we’ve talked about, now is the time to focus on papers topics & getting started (or better) on them. Attached is a link to a very useful paper by Stephen M. McJohn, which for your purposes is a nice overview of interesting 2012 U.S. IP cases. By going through the paper you might well end up thinking about a few topics you have not thought of, or considering issues you have looked at but through an additional lens.

Top Tens in 2012: Patent, Trademark, Copyright and Trade Secret Cases by Stephen McJohn :: SSRN.

jon

HLS Copyright Course: Special Event 1, The Interests of Authors – YouTube

Prof. William Fisher is making his Harvard Law School on Copyright available gratis through edX. Below you will find an excellant two hour discussion of copyright from the perspective of creators. Among the four speakers is John Drake of Harmonix, the company that created the “Guitar Hero”, “Rockband” and “Dance Central” series. Those games are particularly interesting because the genre is itself a form of re-mix of the creative works of others.

All of the speakers are very worthwhile. Most of the legal perspective comes from Dale Cendali of Kirkland & Ellis. FYI John Drake is introduced @ 7:20 & speaks @ 30:57. Dale Cendali is introduced @ 8:20 & speaks @ 36:44

jon

“Tetricide” | Texas Review of Entertainment & Sports Law

Nice piece in the Texas Review of Entertainment & Sports Law about the Tetris case – Tetris Holding, LLC v. Xio Interactive, Inc., 863 F. Supp. 2d 394, 397 (D.N.J. 2012). We will be looking at this case and it’s implications in Class 9 on March 6. 

Tetricide | TEXAS REVIEW OF ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS LAW

jon

Lawrence Lessig on “Law & Justice in a Digital Age” – Feb.19, 2013

Lawrence Lessig gave an extraordinary public lecture on Tuesday February 19, 2013. All the more poignant given the significance of Prof. Lessig’s work on digital law and his personal connections with Aaron Swartz.

Here are the details:

“Harvard Law School will host a public lecture, “Aaron’s Laws,” by Lawrence Lessig on the occasion of his appointment as the Roy L. Furman Professor of Law and Leadership.

In the wake of the tragic death of social activist Aaron Swartz, many, including some in Washington, are asking how the law should respond. In this lecture — radically personal, deeply non-disinterested — Professor Lessig reflects on the life and work of Aaron Swartz, and how that work might be honored.”

Worth mentioning that at 1:33:55 there is a terrific exchange between Prof. Lessig and a student that is worth reflecting on. It centers on the perspective law students should adopt going into their careers to make things better rather then worse given that the tools of the law can often be used for either.

Stream it below:

jon

 

News of the Week; Feb. 13, 2013

1. Judge Dismisses Axl Rose’s Lawsuit (“Guitar Hero lll”): http://sanmarinotribune.com/2013/02/08/judge-dismisses-axl-roses-lawsuit/

2. Copyright Explained Musically: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130204/18145421881/copyright-explained-musically.shtml

3. When Video Games Are Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Have Funs: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/edward-murray/violent-video-games_b_2625789.html


4. 
Growing Up Or Just Getting Old?: David Cage is a poor figurehead for industry evolution – but that doesn’t make his arguments invalid: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-02-08-growing-up-or-just-getting-old?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=european-daily

5. Issues Gamers Should Think About: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/ask-dr-mark/10177-Issues-Gamers-Should-Think-About

6. Court clarifies balance between copyright and freedom of expression in the UK: http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=9a33aa70-003e-4cdb-ac14-7618216a1c9a

7. Peer Progress and Regulation 2.0: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2013/02/peer-progress-and-regulation-20.html

8. Lawsuit Over Video Game Rights Might Kill The NCAA But Not The System: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130207/15002421913/lawsuit-over-video-game-rights-might-kill-ncaa-not-system.shtml

9. A Court Is About To Determine The Fate Of Software Patents And The Implications Are Massive: http://www.businessinsider.com/a-court-is-about-to-determine-the-fate-of-software-patents-and-the-implications-are-massive-2013-2

10. The IPKat: Australian High Court says that Google Adwords is neutral: http://ipkitten.blogspot.ca/2013/02/australian-high-court-says-that-google.html

11. Technology & Marketing Law Blog: Newspaper Not Liable for Moderated Online Reader Comments–Gains v. Romkey: http://blog.ericgoldman.org/archives/2013/02/newspaper_not_l.htm

12. EFF to defend against troll with “podcasting patent”—granted in 2012: http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/02/eff-to-defend-against-troll-with-podcasting-patent-granted-in-2012/

13. Everything Is Infringement: http://www.nationalreview.com/agenda/340231/everything-infringement-reihan-salam

14. List of IP paper downloads on Written Description: http://t.co/FFFEBo0e

15. JFK Space Center Plans Angry Birds Exhibit for Spring: http://www.gamepolitics.com/2013/02/08/jfk-space-centers-plans-angry-birds-exhibit-spring#.URf4WKXUQm0

And in the not really relevant category:

16. Judge rules that it’s illegal to sell custom Batmobiles because the Batmobile is itself a fictional character: http://io9.com/5983237/judge-rules-that-its-illegal-to-sell-custom-batmobiles-because-the-batmobile-is-itself-a-fictional-character

jon

News of the Week; Feb. 6, 2013

1. ‘Spacewar!’ The story of the world’s first digital video game: http://mobile.theverge.com/2013/2/4/3949524/the-story-of-the-worlds-first-digital-video-game

2. What is the government’s interest in copyright? Not that of the public. – Copyright Librarian: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/copyrightlibn/2013/02/what-is-the-governments-interest-in-copyright.html

3. Patent Assertion Entities: Six Actions the Antitrust Agencies Can Take by Michael Carrier: SSRN: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2209521&buffer_share=14a72&utm_source=buffer

4. Something to look forward to, er, in 2013+1: http://ipkitten.blogspot.ca/2013/01/something-to-look-forward-to-er-20131.html?m=1

5. North Korean Propaganda Video Uses MW3 Footage, Gets Pulled by YouTube After Activision Complaint: http://www.gamepolitics.com/2013/02/05/north-korean-propaganda-video-uses-mw3-footage-gets-pulled-youtube-after-activision-compl

6. EFF to help defend against troll with “podcasting patent”—granted in 2012: Personal Audio has made a name for itself suing Apple, Samsung, RIM, and others: http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/02/eff-to-defend-against-troll-with-podcasting-patent-granted-in-2012/

7. Data Protection Laws, an Ocean Apart: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/03/technology/consumer-data-protection-laws-an-ocean-apart.html?nl=technology&emc=edit_tu_20130204&_r=0

8. Microsoft Attacks Google on Gmail Privacy: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/06/microsoft-attacks-google-on-gmail-privacy/?nl=technology&emc=edit_tu_20130207

9. @gamerlaw: WOW RT @BenjaminCousins: Valve are the 4th largest bandwidth consumer in the world: https://t.co/wuiiWNxY

10. Edinburgh researchers first to 3D-print with human embryonic stem cells: http://www.theverge.com/2013/2/6/3957772/edinburgh-researchers-first-to-3d-print-human-embryonic-stem-cells

11. WHY AARON DIED by TarenSK: http://tarensk.tumblr.com/post/42260548767/why-aaron-died

12. Opinion: Changing the terms of the violent video game debate: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/185244/Opinion_Changing_the_terms_of_the_violent_video_game_debate.php#.UQ9PfaXUQco

And in the not really relevant category:

13. Applebee’s Overnight Social Media Meltdown: A Photo Essay | R.L. Stollar: http://rlstollar.wordpress.com/2013/02/02/applebees-overnight-social-media-meltdown-a-photo-essay/

jon

 

“The Agreeable Cat” – Cat freely agrees to EULA

Interesting (and really cute!) take on the effectiveness and enforceability of EULAs:

http://www.ohesso.com/essays/essay006.htm