:: LNR Journalism ::

All nations lose with Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement expansion of copyright terms

EFF | Electronic Frontier Foundation :: EFF has previously written about various troubling provisions of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) that is being negotiated under wraps. One other major concern is that TPP seeks to propagate the excessive copyright terms currently found in American copyright legislation, and will become yet another tool of the second enclosure movement: “the enclosure of the intangible commons of the mind”.

A report by Carolina Rossini | Yana Welinder, www.eff.org

Federation of American Scientists: What is an unauthorized disclosure?

Secrecy News | Federation of American Scientists :: The anti-leak provisions [pdf direct download link] proposed by the Senate Intelligence Committee in the pending FY2013 intelligence authorization act have been widely criticized as misconceived and ill-suited to achieving their presumed goals. But they also suffer from a lack of clarity and an absence of definitions of crucial terms. For example, there is no clear definition of “the news media” to whom unauthorized disclosures are to be prohibited.

Continue to read here Steven Aftergood, www.fas.org

HT: Jack Shafer, here:

RT @fascientists: Secrecy News: What is an Unauthorized Disclosure? bit.ly/OJv81w

— Jack Shafer (@jackshafer) August 1, 2012

Celebrating (?) the six-month anniversary of SOPA's demise

Forbes :: Six months ago today – January 18, 2012 – was a major day in the Internet’s history. Some of the most heavily trafficked websites went dark or rallied their users against proposed legislation called the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and its sister bill the Protect IP Act (PIPA). The resulting outcry effectively killed the legislation that day. But with 6 months of perspective, plus plenty of new developments, it’s clear there may not be much to celebrate about the developments of January 18.

Nothing to celebrate - A report by Eric Goldman, www.forbes.com

HT: Kashmir Hill, here:

Fantastic piece by @ericgoldman questioning the legacy of the SOPA victory: forbes.com/sites/ericgold…

— Kashmir Hill (@kashhill) July 18, 2012

In a 478 to 39 vote: The European Parliament rejects ACTA

The Next Web :: Back in January, 22 European Union states, and the EU itself, signed the controversial ACTA treaty, which many argued could lead to severe restrictions on freedom and civil liberties on the Internet. It has taken until today for the European Parliament to finally reach a decision on whether to reject or approve the proposals. And the good news, for many at least, is that in a 478 to 39 vote, it has been thrown out.

Continue to read Paul Sawers, thenextweb.com

Anonymous protests Japan's anti-download copyright law

Tech In Asia :: Yesterday we gave a brief overview of the new revision to Japan’s copyright law, which, when it goes into effect in October, will make intentionally downloading illegal music or videos carry a prison sentence of two years or less, or a fine of up to 2 million yen (almost $25,000). Not surprisingly, the hacktivist group Anonymous has taken exception to this new revision, and today they launched #opjapan which so far has targeted a number of government websites.

Continue to read Rick Martin, www.techinasia.com

Understanding Japan's anti-download bill

Tech In Asia :: Many of our readers in Japan have likely heard about the country’s recent revision to its copyright law late last week, which makes illegally downloading music or videos carry a prison sentence of two years or less, or a fine of up to 2 million yen (almost $25,000). This is a tricky story to digest, as there are many reports out there that have been less than precise in how they have related this news. Here’s what I’ve gathered about the new law during some weekend reading.

Continue to read Rick Martin, www.techinasia.com

Controversal media law limiting rights of journalists causes a stir in Kosovo

DOHA Centre for Media Freedom :: Kosovo deputy prime minister Hajrudin Kuci resigned on Friday after the parliament adopted a new bill comprising two disputed provisions that critics say infringe media freedoms. "I have said that I will offer my resignation if these two articles are again voted on in parliament," Kuci, who is also Kosovo's justice minister, told reporters.

Continue to read www.dc4mf.org

News organizations ask Supreme Court for live News organizations ask Supreme Court for live audio, video coverage of health care ruling

Associated Press | Washington Post :: News organizations are asking the Supreme Court to allow cameras in the courtroom for the first time for its eagerly awaited decision on President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul.

Continue to read Associated Press, www.washingtonpost.com

U.S. Senator Lieberman: July is the last chance for cybersecurity legislation

The Next Web :: Senator Lieberman, author of the leading cybersecurity bill in the Senate, yesterday urged both houses of Congress forward. In regards to his bill, the Lieberman-Collins bill, he made a stand that a vote on the issue needed to be taken up in the very near future.

Continue to read Alex Wilhelm, thenextweb.com

Plan for U.S. ‘entrepreneur’s visa’ moves forward

Wall Street Journal :: A bipartisan group of senators will introduce legislation Tuesday that would seek to make it easier for foreign students who hold post-graduate degrees in math, science or engineering from American colleges to remain in the U.S. after they finish their studies. The legislation would also create an entrepreneur’s visa to allow people who start new businesses and create jobs to remain in the country.

Continue to read blogs.wsj.com