Yesterday, you may recall, I discussed the RIAA sending cease-and-desist letters to the people who upload videos of themselves lipsynching to popular songs.
But that’s just the beginning: we’ve learned who they are targeting next, and in a Medialoper Multiverse Exclusive, are revealing it to you today.
It just seems like harmless fun: people filming themselves lipsynching popular songs, and then sending the results to YouTube and Google Video. People have always done stuff like this: probably the fifth film ever made — after an accidential shot of the floor; sex; a cute puppy running around; and someone else filming the filmer — was somebody pretending to play a Scott Joplin song.
And people have been doing it ever since: it’s a Great American Tradition to totally make a fool of yourself on video pretending to perform a song you love. God bless the U.S.A.
Of course, sometimes other people see these videos, and there are unintended consequences.
Is a networked storage device an actual storage device? Does it still count as “your” storage if there isn’t a physical box in your home?
These are the questions that may be decided — at least for the DVR — by the suits and countersuits surrounding Cablevision’s decision to create a network DVR. This functionality will allow users to record and save programs on their servers, as opposed to the current model of storing the programs on various TiVo-ish devices.
A veritible who’s who of heavyweight content providers are up in arms — they feel that the simple fact that there is no physical box for file storage means that this service is akin to “Video on Demand,” and therefore violates their sacrosanct copyrights.
An Open Letter to Tom Petty,
Tom, you don’t know me, but I’ve been a pretty big fan of yours for nearly 30 years. Recently, I read an article that said that you might be contemplating suing the Red Hot Chili Peppers because of “similarities” between their new single “Dani California” and your 1993 hit single “Mary Jane’s Last Dance.”
All I can say is this: Tom, don’t sue the Chili Peppers! While it might be legal, it just wouldn’t be right.
I have no problem with the concept of teaching kids about copyright laws. After all, kids are the future. We’re doing it for the kids. Feed the children. Save the world. etc. etc. etc.
However, copyright is a complex subject that most adults don’t fully understand. When I say “most adults” I’m referring specifically to the RIAA, the MPAA, and other entertainment industry executives who routinely misrepresent the specifics of copyright law in an effort to intentionally confuse the public.
My concern is that programs designed to teach kids about copyright laws amount to little more than entertainment industry propaganda. Fair Use and the Right of First sale are routinely left out of copyright discussions, as are the concept and importance of the public domain.
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A handy guide!!
What mother doesn't want to see this headline for her son?
There goes all our fun.
Or really dumb. If she keeps up like she's doing now, she's going to incite violence. Lovely.
"The Republican ticket is working hard this week to make Barack Obama's tenuous connection to graying, '60s revolutionary Bill Ayers a major campaign issue. But the Palins' connection to anti-American extremism is much more central to their political biographies."
Before long, the headline will read "LA Times Tests Running Newspaper Without Reporters, Columnists, or Anyone To Answer Phones"
Could they buy mine? I'd like to get some more stuff, please.
Wow. Is it April 1 already?
This is either a new Errol Morris short, or an excellent imitation of one.
Story includes a new revelation about Winky Palin's preferred reading material -- Starbucks cups.
Unrelated to the current economic crisis, of course.
"There's the standard erosion plus incredible time-shifting as increased DVR penetration goes up." That and the increasingly fragmented viewer as too much stuff demands our attention. Plus football. And baseball. Oh, and there's this election thing happening.
Welcome back, SNL.
Yeah, but is this economic downturn or typical Gawker?
Ah, there it is. Enjoy. Comment. The usual.
Apparently there's a site out there called The Daily Beast and it's in live beta. After being put on hold for two years.
2009, but will there be an e-edition?
The long sordid history of the RIAA's war on consumers (and new business models).
What are you doing here?
Some of these findings are obviously very very important.
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