In the News

["Jack Boeve" <JBoeve@xxxxxxxx>]

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Senator blocks controversial copyright bill
Grant Gross, Computerworld, May 27, 2011
http://bit.ly/k0I6vP

A U.S. senator has blocked a controversial bill that would enlist ISPs,
search engines and other businesses in blocking access to alleged
Websites infringing copyright. Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat,
has blocked the Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity
and Theft of Intellectual Property Act, or PROTECT IP Act, from coming
to the Senate floor for a vote.

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BT, TalkTalk To Ask Court Of Appeal For Clarity On Copyright Law
Wall Street Journal, May 27, 2011
http://on.wsj.com/lvorQp

BT Group PLC (BT.A.LN) and TalkTalk Telecom Group PLC (TALK.LN) will ask
the U.K. Court of Appeal for clarification on the Digital Economy Act
because both companies are concerned it breaches European Union law, BT
Group said Friday.

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Finnish music producers sue Pirate Bay
Matti Huuhtanen, Sydney Morning Herald, May 28, 2011
http://bit.ly/ivJvlS

A group of 23 Finnish music production companies is suing the Pirate Bay
file-sharing website in an attempt to halt illegal downloads and
distribution of music in the Nordic country, an anti-piracy group said
Friday. The Copyright Information and Anti-Piracy Center said it has
applied for a court injunction ordering Elisa, a major Internet service
provider in Finland, to prevent its customers from using the services of
the popular Swedish-based site.

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Copyright Suits Can't Keep Potential Blockbusters Out of Theaters
Andrew Goldberg, The American Lawyer, May 26, 2011
http://bit.ly/mvXTsS

Copyright infringement suits hang over two highly anticipated
blockbuster sequels set for release over the Memorial Day weekend. In
one case, a federal district court judge in Missouri ruled Tuesday that
The Hangover Part II could open as scheduled Thursday, despite an
attempt by tattoo artist S. Victor Whitmill to enjoin the film over its
use of boxer Mike Tyson's famous face tattoo. Whitmill created the
tattoo for Tyson, and it appears in the movie encircling the left eyes
of both Tyson, who makes a cameo appearance, and the character played by
actor Ed Helms.Whitmill sued Warner Bros. in April for copyright
infringement, alleging that the tattoo in the movie is a duplication of
his distinctive creation.

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Copyright and Web Freedom Discussed at "E-G8" Meeting of Internet
Leaders
Andrew Halley, Gamut News, May 26, 2011
http://bit.ly/ixDCHz

With an important G8 summit set to take place in France today, internet
bosses held their own e-G8 meeting in Paris yesterday.Problems
surrounding issues of copyright and censorship have been raising their
heads more and more of late, and it is those issues that took precedence
in Paris yesterday. Proposals were discussed aimed at keeping internet
access open to all citizens and not regulating content, but this led to
much disagreement.

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Disney Ditches Claim on Navy SEAL Name
Bizjournals.com (blog), May 26, 2011
http://bit.ly/lmLUNU

Hoping for a SEAL Team 6 snow globe for Christmas? You're probably out
of luck. The Walt Disney Company announced Wednesday it would withdraw
an application to trademark the unofficial name of the elite military
unit responsible for killing Osama Bin Laden. The Wall Street Journal
reported a company spokesperson said the move was "out of deference to
the Navy." Disney sought the trademark on items from toys to TV shows
two days after the Al-Qaeda leader was killed in a firefight May 2. The
company had intended to create a TV show, similar to JAG or NCIS, about
the unit, the AP reports.

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European ISP's could have to block copyright infringing material
Steve Kennedy, The Next Web, May 24, 2011
http://tnw.co/lbcF2J

The European Commission has released a new Intellectual Property Rights
Strategy (IPRS) which requires all European Internet Service Providers
(ISPs) to cooperate in fighting online copyright infringement. This is
part of IPR Enforcement Directive 2004/48/EC which will be reviewed in
Spring 2012, so there is still potentially room for changes.

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Intellectual Copyright-What is considered 'stealing'?
Elizabeth Halford, Digital Photography School, May 24, 2011
http://bit.ly/lSx6JD

Man, oh man. The battle is raging over on this post from last week where
I brought up the topic of other cameras at sessions and events you have
been paid to photograph. One of the main themes of the comments has been
the fact that I used the word 'stealing' when describing other
photographers shooting over your shoulder at weddings. First, I have to
apologize and acknowledge that some readers might be new to reading my
posts and not be familiar with my voice. When you get to know me, you'll
get to know my larger than life, sarcastic writing style. But it has
brought up an important topic for us to explore: when talking about
intellectual property, where do we draw the line? What is considered
stealing?

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Jack Boeve
Project Specialist
Center for Intellectual Property @ UMUC
Largo, Room 2294
3501 University Blvd. East
Adelphi, MD 20783
T: 240-684-2965 / F: 240-684-2961
jboeve@xxxxxxxx
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