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When Federal Communications Commissioner (FCC) Michael Copps issued a brief, two-sentence reaction to the news of a policy agreement between Verizon and Google over Net Neutrality, he deliberately emphasized one word.  In bold face and italics, Copps said that a “decision” had to be made, to guarantee an open Internet. "Some will claim this announcement moves the discussion forward.  That’s one of its many problems.  It is time to move a decision forward—a decision to reassert FCC authority over broadband telecommunications, to guarantee an open Internet now and forever, and to put the interests of consumers in front of the interests of giant corporations.” read more

When Federal Communications Commissioner (FCC) Michael Copps issued a brief, two-sentence reaction to the news of a policy agreement between Verizon and Google over Net Neutrality, he deliberately emphasized one word.  In bold face and italics, Copps said that a “decision” had to be made, to guarantee an open Internet. "Some will claim this announcement moves the discussion forward.  That’s one of its many problems.  It is time to move a decision forward—a decision to reassert FCC authority over broadband telecommunications, to guarantee an open Internet now and forever, and to put the interests of consumers in front of the interests of giant corporations.” read more

I occassionally suspect my colleagues in the Public Interest community lack a sense of humor -- although perhaps it is simply that I am in a more relaxed frame of mind after my annual vacation from the 21st Century. I am neither surprised nor outraged at the recent news that members of the Information Technology Industry Council (ITIC) are picking up where the FCC "secret meetings" left off and trying to come up with a net neutrality consensus framework. To me, it seems rather sad and funny. My only surprise is that even in Washington, the notion of an industry trade association working with its members is anything unusual or significant. I mean, that's what industry trade associations do after all. read more

I occassionally suspect my colleagues in the Public Interest community lack a sense of humor -- although perhaps it is simply that I am in a more relaxed frame of mind after my annual vacation from the 21st Century. I am neither surprised nor outraged at the recent news that members of the Information Technology Industry Council (ITIC) are picking up where the FCC "secret meetings" left off and trying to come up with a net neutrality consensus framework. To me, it seems rather sad and funny. My only surprise is that even in Washington, the notion of an industry trade association working with its members is anything unusual or significant. I mean, that's what industry trade associations do after all. read more

October 3, 2010 (All day) - October 5, 2010 (All day) In ten years of fighting for musicians, Future of Music Coalition has witnessed tremendous changes in the music ecosystem — from to disruptions in traditional business models to alternative revenue streams for creators. Throughout our history, FMC has been guided by the conviction that musicians need access to audiences and adequate compensation to truly thrive. The 10th Anniversary Future of Music Policy Summit puts the focus where it belongs: on the artists who are the very reason for our existence. It is the talent and creativity of musicians, songwriters and composers that bring clarity and focus to the pressing issues facing the entire music community.

October 3, 2010 (All day) - October 5, 2010 (All day) In ten years of fighting for musicians, Future of Music Coalition has witnessed tremendous changes in the music ecosystem — from to disruptions in traditional business models to alternative revenue streams for creators. Throughout our history, FMC has been guided by the conviction that musicians need access to audiences and adequate compensation to truly thrive. The 10th Anniversary Future of Music Policy Summit puts the focus where it belongs: on the artists who are the very reason for our existence. It is the talent and creativity of musicians, songwriters and composers that bring clarity and focus to the pressing issues facing the entire music community.

December 9, 2010 (All day) - December 10, 2010 (All day) Once again, Practising Law Institute and the Federal Communications Bar Association are co-sponsoring the nation’s leading annual conference on telecommunications and broadband law and regulation. This comprehensive program provides a detailed understanding of the hottest issues facing the telecommunications industry today at the FCC, Congress, and within the executive and judicial branches. Hear directly from top practitioners, in-house counsel from top telecommunications companies, and key government officials, including FCC Commissioners and Bureau Chiefs. If you’re looking to learn what legal challenges lay ahead for telecommunications practitioners, this is the program for you! read more

December 9, 2010 (All day) - December 10, 2010 (All day) Once again, Practising Law Institute and the Federal Communications Bar Association are co-sponsoring the nation’s leading annual conference on telecommunications and broadband law and regulation. This comprehensive program provides a detailed understanding of the hottest issues facing the telecommunications industry today at the FCC, Congress, and within the executive and judicial branches. Hear directly from top practitioners, in-house counsel from top telecommunications companies, and key government officials, including FCC Commissioners and Bureau Chiefs. If you’re looking to learn what legal challenges lay ahead for telecommunications practitioners, this is the program for you! read more

November 11, 2010 (All day) - November 12, 2010 (All day) This highly acclaimed program, long recognized as the most comprehensive in its field, has been refreshed to highlight the hottest issues and case law in media, digital communications, intellectual property and privacy law. See for yourself how this program has evolved to account for the impact technology has delivered to the communications law field. A top-notch expert faculty comprising the country’s leading practitioners and in-house First Amendment and media law counsel will provide the strategic and practical knowledge needed to keep apace in this constantly changing practice area. Click here for more information.

November 11, 2010 (All day) - November 12, 2010 (All day) This highly acclaimed program, long recognized as the most comprehensive in its field, has been refreshed to highlight the hottest issues and case law in media, digital communications, intellectual property and privacy law. See for yourself how this program has evolved to account for the impact technology has delivered to the communications law field. A top-notch expert faculty comprising the country’s leading practitioners and in-house First Amendment and media law counsel will provide the strategic and practical knowledge needed to keep apace in this constantly changing practice area. Click here for more information.

October 1, 2010 (All day) - October 3, 2010 (All day) Copyright Policy Google Book Search Settlement as Copyright Reform- Pamela Samuelson   The Social Efficiency of Fairness- Marshall Van Alstyne, Gavin Clarkson   Free Speech Unmoored in Copyright’s Safe Harbor: Chilling Effects of the DMCA on the First Amendment- Wendy Seltzer Click here for more information.

October 1, 2010 (All day) - October 3, 2010 (All day) Copyright Policy Google Book Search Settlement as Copyright Reform- Pamela Samuelson   The Social Efficiency of Fairness- Marshall Van Alstyne, Gavin Clarkson   Free Speech Unmoored in Copyright’s Safe Harbor: Chilling Effects of the DMCA on the First Amendment- Wendy Seltzer Click here for more information.

There’s an absolutely ridiculous story making the rounds—apparently the NAB and the RIAA have come to an agreement whereby the NAB will support broadcasters paying performance royalties, in exchange for the RIAA supporting a legal requirement that cell phones, mp3 players, and the like have FM receivers built in. read more

There’s an absolutely ridiculous story making the rounds—apparently the NAB and the RIAA have come to an agreement whereby the NAB will support broadcasters paying performance royalties, in exchange for the RIAA supporting a legal requirement that cell phones, mp3 players, and the like have FM receivers built in. read more

It's that time of year once again when geeks, music industry insiders and filmmakers of all stripes resort to shameless self-promotion in an attempt to be chosen to present at the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) conference in Austin, Texas. We here at Public Knowledge are no exception and we ask that you take a minute out of your day to vote for our two panels (using the stupidly large buttons embedded below), so that we can educate music bloggers about their rights and share ideas about new business models and revenue streams with professional musicians: read more

It's that time of year once again when geeks, music industry insiders and filmmakers of all stripes resort to shameless self-promotion in an attempt to be chosen to present at the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) conference in Austin, Texas. We here at Public Knowledge are no exception and we ask that you take a minute out of your day to vote for our two panels (using the stupidly large buttons embedded below), so that we can educate music bloggers about their rights and share ideas about new business models and revenue streams with professional musicians: read more

In my last post, I discussed the implications of Mattel v. MGA Entertainment on the idea-expression dichotomy in copyright law.  Even before getting to the issue of what was copyrighted and whether there was infringement in the case, however, the Ninth Circuit first had to address who owned the copyrights, trademarks, and other concepts underlying the Bratz doll line.  read more

In my last post, I discussed the implications of Mattel v. MGA Entertainment on the idea-expression dichotomy in copyright law.  Even before getting to the issue of what was copyrighted and whether there was infringement in the case, however, the Ninth Circuit first had to address who owned the copyrights, trademarks, and other concepts underlying the Bratz doll line.  read more

On this weeks PK In the Know podcast, we discuss the ramifications of the Google/Verizon announcement, the reemergence (again) of a fashion copyright bill, and what the FCC's AllVid proposal means for the future of video devices. You can download and listen to the audio by clicking here (MP3) or stream it using the player below: Want to subscribe to our podcast? Click here for the MP3 feed and here for the mixed audio/video feed. read more

On this weeks PK In the Know podcast, we discuss the ramifications of the Google/Verizon announcement, the reemergence (again) of a fashion copyright bill, and what the FCC's AllVid proposal means for the future of video devices. You can download and listen to the audio by clicking here (MP3) or stream it using the player below: Want to subscribe to our podcast? Click here for the MP3 feed and here for the mixed audio/video feed. read more