From Reuters:
Major publishers accused Google on Thursday of “brutally” exploiting France’s literary heritage as they launched a court challenge to the Internet giant’s drive to scan digital copies of books and put extracts online.
Archive of posts filed under the International Outlook category.
Google, French publishers face off in court
German book trade slams EU stance on Google books
From Reuters:
The German book trade slammed European regulators on Thursday for failing to take a stand against an agreement allowing U.S. internet company Google (GOOG.O) to create an online library.
Google has agreed a settlement with U.S. publishers who had accused Google of copyright infringement for scanning libraries full of books but, last week, the U.S. [...]
French Parliament Approves ‘three-strikes’ Anti-piracy Law
From PC World:
The French National Assembly voted Tuesday to adopt, by 258 votes to 131, the so-called “three strikes” law criminalizing file-sharing. Those caught infringing copyright online could face the suspension of their Internet access, a fine or even prison.
The Senate approved the same text on Monday. With the two houses of parliament in agreement, [...]
Music industry ready for climbdown on internet piracy demands
From The Times:
The music industry is preparing to back down from its demands that people caught downloading songs illegally be disconnected from the internet after a revolt by leading musicians.
UK Music, the body that represents the British music scene, will release a statement today clarifying its stance on file-sharing. It has been forced to drop [...]
Canadian University fears looming copyright reforms
From the Edmonton Journal:
Ottawa’s copyright reforms could force online universities to destroy their courses after every exam and would marginalize Alberta’s Athabasca University, says the head of the web-based institution.
University president Frits Pannekoek had been urging students to lobby Ottawa before the eight-week period for public input on the reforms expired on Sunday.
Industry Minister Tony [...]
Groups call for EU scrutiny of Google book deal
From Reuters:
EU regulators should look into the book settlement that Google Inc reached with a group of U.S. writers and publishers last October because the deal will create a de facto monopoly, European opponents to the book deal said on Friday.
All publicly funded content should be in the public domain
From Boing Boing:
Let’s put aside my personal frustration at having my work locked away. The real question here is, since CBC content is funded by the public, shouldn’t the public own it? Or at least have access to it? Actually, the CBC archives are just the tip of the iceberg: the overwhelming majority of stuff [...]
Web Censoring Widens Across Southeast Asia
From the Wall Street Journal:
Attempts to censor the Internet are spreading to Southeast Asia as governments turn to coercion and intimidation to rein in online criticism.
Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam lack the kind of technology and financial resources that China and some other large countries use to police the Internet. The Southeast Asian nations are using [...]
Revised French download law passes lower house
From Reuters:
France’s disputed Internet piracy law, which would allow authorities to disconnect repeat illegal downloaders, passed the lower house of parliament in revised form on Tuesday but may still face a fresh court challenge.
Chinese schools quietly discard controversial Web filter
From the Washington Post:
Schools in Beijing are quietly removing the Green Dam filter, which was required for all school computers in July, due to complaints over problems with the software.