(entry last updated: 2002-10-30 16:57:20)

More on the modchip/DMCA conflict. A strange claim of the risks of GPL software in Australian jurisdictions, with a LawMeme commentary. The MPEG-4 saga continues. The Lessig blog discusses the ongoing question of spectrum policy and the pending FCC decisions - his posting is really just the tip of the iceberg..

And a Swedish company is ready to take intellectual property law to new levels.

A new webcaster alliance forms

(7 items listed below)

• The Register updates the modchip legality issue with this article summarizing the current positions being taking in the Sony/Microsoft v. Lik Sang trial. A look at the “substantial non-infringing uses” defense of a new technology.

• An inflammatory article asserts the existence of specific risks under Australian law of the GNU General Public License. LawMeme has a posting from Kim Weatherall, who begs to differ with many, but not all, of the points raised.

  And Dan Gilmore points out that there is a rising tide of opinion that says it’s worth the risks anyway.

• CNet reports on the continuing efforts to reconcile patent licensing and market demand for the new MPEG-4 codec.

• This has been kicking around for a day or so, but the Wired News piece is the first article that summarizes some of the underlying issues pretty well. Intentia has decided that Reuter’s efforts to find a publicly-accessible document “deep-linked” on the company’s website and the subsequent publication of the information (earnings) is a violation of hacking laws and intellectual property protections. Essentially, the reporter in question guessed a URL and found a report. Theft? Infringement? Whimpering? (You may want to check the GrepLaw posting for other articles)

• Salon continues their series on Microsoft’s digital media ploy - Part 1; Part 2

• For those of you who have seen Larry Lessig’s Eldred speech, but may not have actually read the rather grim Grimm’s Fairy Tales, National Geographic has set up a site for you. [from the Shifted Librarian]

• The Register reports on the creation of a new webcaster association: the Webcasting Alliance