Feb 25 - MTV Launches Digital Music Awards; U.S. Anti-Child Pornography Op Accidentally Shuts Down 84,000 Sites
Industry Spotlight
Amazon Offers Instant Streaming of Movies and TV Shows to Its Home-Delivery Customers
February 23, 2011- Staho
Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way' Is Fastest-Selling Single In iTunes History
February 18, 2011– MTV.com
Sports fans could soon tune in to YouTube
February 23, 2011- Mashable
Microsoft demos 3D photo avatars, display tech
February 22, 2011- CNET
MTV launches digital music awards
February 23, 2011 – The Press Association
Rhapsody offers more than music to users
February 21, 2011 - Daily Aztec
Songtrust Announces Partnership with Myspace Music
February 23, 2011 - SunHerald.com
Politics & Policy
I. Copyright 101: Digital Music Licensing
The Basics of Music Licensing in Digital Media: 2011 Update
Published by Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on February 23, 2011 – JD Supra
Businesses that are involved in digital media use music in many ways—and most require some sort of license to make the use legal. Whether the music is used in an advertisement or a music video, on a Web site or delivered via another digital platform, licenses are usually required. Unfortunately, there are a variety of rights that may be needed, depending on how the music will be used, so knowing what you need to do to avoid liability is not always easy.
Making it even more complicated is that fact that the different rights are often obtained from different individuals or groups, and it is not always easy to determine where to go to get the necessary rights. This advisory provides a basic description of some of the rights necessary for some of the most common uses of music under United States laws and where to obtain such rights.
II. Online Privacy
Research Reveals Online Privacy Is Situational: Consumers Concerned With Transparency, Control
Authored by Joe Mandese on February 22, 2011 - MediaPost
The debate surrounding privacy is shaping policies and, potentially even laws, that will determine how marketers and publishers track and target consumers online, but some new research suggests that consumers don't actually see it as a black or white situation, and that the real issue may not be privacy at all, but a potentially even more complex and emotional subject: security. The research, which was conducted by Ball State University's Center for Media Design, finds that the notion of privacy is actually "situational," and depends on the context of the consumer, the nature of their information being tracked, and the organizations that are tracking it.
The report, "Notions of Privacy: Ignorance, Illusion or Miscommunication," is based on consumer-centric research designed to understand how average people - not the industry wonks, advocacy groups, policy makers or regulators who seem to be framing the debate - feel about having their personal information tracked online. The research, which will be rolled out in stages this week beginning with the release of the top line finding that consumers see it as an issue of security and control, is part of an ongoing series of studies the university plans to conduct around the subject.
III. FCC: Set-Top Boxes
Google, Sony, Tivo Form Crusading Supergroup For Smart Televisions
Authored by Graeme McMillan on February 18, 2011 - TimeIt's like the Justice
League of Technology: Google, Sony, TiVo, Mitsubishi, Best Buy and two lesser-known companies (NagraVision and SageTV - Think of them as the Martian Manhunter and Aquaman of the team) have joined together to support the Federal Communication Commission's AllVid proposal, calling themselves the AllVid Tech Company Alliance.
AllVid is a proposed device that would act as a "gateway" adapter allowing all types of pay TV content - whether it's cable or satellite TV, internet TV or IPTV - to be viewable on the same device, without new technology forcing consumers to have to upgrade their equipment. Initially proposed almost a year ago, the subject was greeted with less than enthusiasm from cable companies and content creators, with the Motion Picture Association of America criticizing it as potential promoter of pirated material.
IV. Network Neutrality
Senate Dems: Don’t defund net neutrality
Authored by Tony Romm on February 23, 2011 - POLITICO
Four top Senate Democrats are urging the chamber’s leaders to object to any effort that would use the appropriations process or the Congressional Review Act as vehicles to undo the FCC’s net neutrality rules.
Just days after House Republicans defunded the FCC order as part of the continuing resolution now in the Senate’s hands, Sens. John Kerry of Massachusetts, Al Franken of Minnesota, Ron Wyden of Oregon and Maria Cantwell of Washington criticized the GOP for its tactics.
While they signaled interest in revising the 1996 law governing the FCC, the four Democrats stressed, “That does not mean that the agency should stop doing its job under current law.”
V. Website Domain Name Seizures
U.S. Anti-Child Pornography Operation Accidentally Shuts Down 84,000 Sites
Authored by Amy Lee on February 17, 2011 – The Huffington Post
In an effort to crack down on child pornography, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the seizure of 10 domains as a part of a new initiative called "Operation Protect Our Children" but they also shut down 84,000 seemingly innocent sites in the process.
"For all its positive impact, the Internet has also unfortunately created a new way for child predators to commit their inexcusable crimes," said Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the DOJ in a statement. "The production and distribution of child pornography wreak havoc on innocent lives. With these domain seizures, we are taking our fight against child pornography to websites that facilitate the exchange of these abusive images."
The press release did not contain the names of the ten domains that were seized. However, the domain mooo.com, a part of the DNS provider FreeDNS was shut down in the process, with sites using the domain to host their pages displaying a banner reading as follows:
“Advertisement, distribution, transportation, receipt, and possession of child pornography constitute federal crimes that carry penalties for first time offenders of up to 30 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, forfeiture and restitution."