Mainstream News

Snowden files reveal NSA spied on Brazil and Mexico presidents

"Rio de Janeiro-based journalist Glenn Greenwald told Globo on Sunday that a document dated June 2012 shows that Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto’s emails were being accessed. That was a month before his election. The NSA also intercepted some of Pena Nieto’s voicemails. The communications included messages in which the future leader discussed the names of potential cabinet members. As for Brazil’s Dilma Rousseff, the NSA said in the document that it was trying to better understand her methods of communication and interlocutors using a program to access all Internet content the president visited online." Continue reading →

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Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom plans to launch new political party in New Zealand

"Dotcom said his plans were still embryonic but the yet-to-be-named party would launch on January 20, the second anniversary of an armed police raid on his Auckland mansion which resulted in him being charged with online piracy. The Internet mogul revealed few details of his platform beyond saying he wanted to improve New Zealand’s information technology infrastructure, including 'fair Internet pricing and no more data caps'. Dotcom, who denies any wrongdoing and is free on bail as he fights extradition to the United States, also took a swipe at Prime Minister Key, whom he accuses of bowing to Hollywood pressure by pursuing the case against him." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMegaupload founder Kim Dotcom plans to launch new political party in New Zealand

Gun ownership gets easier in Texas starting Sunday

"Texas is taking steps to be even cozier for concealed handgun license holders. Texas passed its concealed handgun license law in 1995, and since then has required applicants to undergo 10 to 15 hours training minimum. That standard included classroom and shooting range instruction. But instructors said they really don’t need that much time, and lawmakers cut the training requirements in half. Other changes taking effect Sunday will allow license holders to renew online and provide easier access to obtaining fingerprints for applications. Also, license holders will be certified to carry a revolver or semi-automatic pistol, regardless of what type of gun they used in class." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGun ownership gets easier in Texas starting Sunday

Record labels ask UK broadband providers to collect data on illegal downloads

"BT, Virgin Media, BSkyB and TalkTalk are being asked by music and film companies to sign up to a voluntary code for policing illegal downloading. Negotiations have been underway for some months with the BPI, which represents the major labels including Warner, Sony and Universal, and the British Video Association, whose members include the BBC and Hollywood studios. Measures could include throttling internet connections to slow them down, blocking users from particular sites, disconnecting offenders from broadband for a limited period, and ultimately prosecution. In order to implement these measures, broadband companies would need to keep a list of those customers." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRecord labels ask UK broadband providers to collect data on illegal downloads

America’s new ‘digital public library’ brings millions of documents online

"The Digital Public Library of America site dp.la will launch April 18 with more than two million objects — including digital renderings of photos, books, manuscripts and other items from places such as the Smithsonian Institution, along with museums, libraries and historical institutions around the country. Cohen said DPLA will be 'a lot more comprehensive' than Google books, with 'the full array of materials including music, photography, all kinds of art and manuscripts.' He said the material will be online 'in an open fashion, and not a gated fashion.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAmerica’s new ‘digital public library’ brings millions of documents online

AT&T and T-Mobile embroiled in legal fight over the color magenta

"T-Mobile is suing AT&T for trademark infringement. To summarize a 20-page civil action suit: T-Mobile says Aio co-opted the color magenta. 'Out of all of the colors in the universe,' AT&T chose – not purple, not pink – magenta, as Aio’s company color, according to the complaint T-Mobile’s lawyers filed. 'AT&T’s subsidiary’s use of magenta to attract T-Mobile customers is likely to dilute T-Mobile’s famous magenta color trademark, and to create initial confusion as to the source or affiliation of AT&T’s subsidiary’s business,' the complaint continues." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAT&T and T-Mobile embroiled in legal fight over the color magenta

Interview with British ‘straight pride’ group removed by copyright takedown notice

"WordPress has removed an interview with the 'homophobic' campaign Straight Pride UK after the group used US copyright law to issue a takedown notice. In an interview posted on his WordPress blog, student Oliver Hotham published an interview with the group, in which they stated that they 'admire President Vladimir Putin of Russia for his stance and support of his country’s traditional values'. Hotham did not take down the post, and WordPress then proceeded with a DMCA takedown notice on 3 August. The DMCA contains a provision mandating any company to instantly remove material if they are informed it breaches copyright." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingInterview with British ‘straight pride’ group removed by copyright takedown notice

Caller ID inventor struggles to collect royalties despite owning patent

"Fifteen years after he patented caller ID technology, Brazilian inventor Nelio Jose Nicolai is no millionaire. Quite the opposite: out of work since 1984, the co-inventor of the ubiquitous tool is still fighting to collect royalties. In 1996, the inventor received an award from the World Intellectual Property Organization and a year later — after a five-year wait — he finally secured a patent in his homeland. He then approached domestic mobile phone operators to claim his rights to royalties — and ran into a wall. Over the years, BIMA was modified and named caller ID. But, despite repeated efforts, Nicolai was unable to secure the rights to the new name, causing him to lose out on millions of dollars." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCaller ID inventor struggles to collect royalties despite owning patent