Software patents have become an unnecessary obstruction to innovation. Company that used to oppose software patent are spending billions to acquire them (including Google). Small time developers (which could include open source and Smart-phones/Tablets Apps developer) are now being targeted. Software patent produces opposite effect of what patents are designed
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Accidental Deliberations: Sunday Morning Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading.
– Just as in this year’s federal election, the NDP will need to look to move voting intentions once the campaign is underway. But also just like in the federal election, there’s reason to like the party’s cha…
Continue readingImpolitical: Conservatives pursue asbestos widow
My, Conservatives should be so proud of themselves: “Tories tussle with asbestos widow over use of party logo in ad campaign.” There is no other party quite like them in Canada today. Check out the picture accompanying the report. The federal Conservat…
Continue readingPoliTeching: U.S. Wants To Make “Illegal” Streaming a Felony, Open to Wiretapping
The U.S. Senate responded to White House request for a law that would explicitly make “Illegal” Streaming of video or audio a felony. Streaming content has been considered a “public performance” rather than “distribution.” … The (White House) report called on Congress “to ensure that [the Department of Justice] and
Continue readingLaw is Cool: Facebook ‘Friend Poaching’
When was the last time you sent a friend request on Facebook? When was the last time you got sued for it? Complexions v Complexions Day Spa & Facebook, is, according to Santa Clara Internet Law professor Eric Goldman, the first case to involve Facebook ‘friend poaching‘. The case is currently in front of the New York […]
Continue readingThus Prate the Pundit » Social Critique: First Take on the Public Domain Manifesto
Communia published its Public Domain Manifesto. The manifesto identifies the public domain concept with respect to historical development and more urgently, its relevance to culture today. I think it makes an important statement, in terms of offering a level, common understanding that could be used widely across society, government, and
Continue readingThus Prate the Pundit » Social Critique: Angus Asks for Answers to ACTA Secrets
Charlie Angus (NDP) penned an open letter1 (.doc) (26 January 2010) to Peter Van Loan (Conservative Minister of International Trade) regarding the ongoing secretive ACTA negotiations and Canadian copyright issues. Considering the ACTA negotiations have occurred largely in secret but collide head-on with copyright issues widely discussed over the last few years, it’s reasonable to expect
Continue readingThus Prate the Pundit » Social Critique: Secret Copyright Negotiations Disregard Canadian Consultation
Because of recent leaks, the public has learned that the minority Conservative government is engaged in at least two sets of secret negotiations to bring forward new copyright and “intellectual property” regulations without the consent of Canadians. The Conservatives got their first two attempts at copyright change wrong. Later, the government set up
Continue readingThus Prate the Pundit » Social Critique: Rip Movie
Just saw the film, Rip, last weekend. The movie explores most of the present day struggles with copyright and notions of ownership of “intellectual property.” I thought it was interesting in how it presented a US government decision in the 90s (through interviews with those responsible) to definitively shift its
Continue readingThus Prate the Pundit » Social Critique: Copyright Reform and the StatsCan Report
Michael Geist posted about the politics in the debate on copyright reform. The point stems from dissonance between the recent Statistics Canada report and a reform-oriented bill expected to introduce more restrictive copyright policy. The report showed some nice Canadian recording industry profits where similar industries in other parts of
Continue readingThus Prate the Pundit » Social Critique: Motivating Anti-IP Activism in Canada
In the scheme of things, few people have the interest (or is it patience?) to delve deeply into the concept of “intellectual property” (IP). I think that is why IP regulation is among the most under-considered issues in public political discourse today. It’s difficult, in the snap of a soundbite,
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