Great talk from Eric Neuman at the NY Content Meetup in Brooklyn.
via simpleactually:
A lot of content creators are terrified that unless they legislate file sharing away (a la sopa) there will be no way for them to make money. This is not true. In order to survive, businesses need to change the way they think about the commodity that is information.
I want them to remember that lawmakers and lobbyists who don’t understand the Internet have no business trying to regulate it.
Social Media reactions to Wikipedia, and other sites which shut down in protest of SOPA, PIPA today…
via laughingsquid:
Herpderpedia, A Collection of Tweets by People Freaking Out About Wikipedia’s SOPA & PIPA Blackout
via shortformblog:awesomebrainpowers:tpmmedia:
A lot of major websites are “going dark” on January 18 in protest over the internet bill SOPA, and this timeline shows you how the campaign has ramped up in the last week. Google is even planning a special doodle about SOPA tomorrow. (via TPM)
Add us to the list.
The Dubious Assumption Underlying SOPA
via Tim O’Reilly:
In the entire discussion, I’ve seen no discussion of credible evidence of this economic harm. There’s no question in my mind that piracy exists, that people around the world are enjoying creative content without paying for it, and even that some criminals are profiting by redistributing it. But is there actual economic harm?
An Infographic Guide to Opposition to the PROTECT IP Act
Free culture organization Fight for the Future has created an elegantly animated explanation of how the entertainment industry’s push to stop piracy has far-reaching, and potentially very problematic consequences.
More about Tumblr’s SOPA call-to-action:
I was nervous, but the call went really well. Please call your representative. Tumblr makes it really easy for you.
The Internet is my home; keep it free.
US copyright law animated and explained in under seven minutes, by Colin Grey.
For a deeper take on copyright, creativity and culture, try this 2002 talk by Lawrence Lessig.
H/T: The Atlantic.
Clients From Hell: I'll just have to make a quick phone call to my lawyer
When branding is a Steal (literally).
via clientsfromhell:
Me: “So… what you are basically telling me is that you like the completed logo, like the completed slogan, like the completed branding work and that you intend to use it all for your new business. Correct?”
Client: “Yes. Absolutely.”
Me: “And yesterday you called another designer and…
Is Constantin Film Is Taking Down Hitler Parodies?
Although it can be argued that Downfall is a fair-use clip, the production company behind the original film may be asking YouTube to remove parodies and remixes of the popular meme.
I’m skeptical that they’d ever be able to remove such a popular meme from the net so long after genie has escaped the bottle, even if they have the legal upper-hand in this case. I would urge the filmmakers to reconsider the potential consequences (and costs) of pursuing these options.
