I must confess, I thought FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski had found a clever way to keep his bid for Net neutrality regulations from getting mired in the debate over online piracy. When the FCC agreed to start the rulemaking process in October, Genachowski made it clear that the regulations wouldn't apply only to the transmission of unlawful content. That's code for bootlegged copies of "Avatar" and "The Hangover.". And yet (he says, channeling Al Pacino as Michael Corleone), Genachowski can't help being pulled back into the issue. In their comments on the FCC's notice of proposed rulemaking, entertainment-industry groups argued that the rules at the very least shouldn't discourage Internet service providers from trying to stop pirated content. The RIAA urged the commission to go further: ISPs are in a unique position to limit online theft. They control the facilities over which infringement takes place and are singularly positioned to address it at the source. Without ISP participation, it is extremely difficult to develop an effective prevention approach. We thus urge the Commission to adopt rules that not only allow ISPs to address online theft, but actively encourage their efforts to do so. In a statement accompanying their joint filing, four entertainment-industry unions struck a similar note: As Guilds and Unions representing more than 300,000 workers in the entertainment and media industries, we urge the FCC to ensure that any policies laid forth to preserve a free and open Internet also strengthen the distinction between the lawful and unlawful transmission of Internet content. We encourage the FCC to take all appropriate steps to keep the Internet from becoming a haven for the theft and illegal transmission of motion picture, audiovisual and sound recording works. The link for this article located at LA Times is no longer available. . Investigates the challenges the FCC faces in the complex dialogue of maintaining Net neutrality amidst efforts to combat digital piracy..Net Neutrality Debate, FCC Regulations, Online Theft Prevention. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
Lord Mandelson has announced that he intends to pursue file sharers and cut off the connections of persistent offenders. Mandelson restated his controversial plans to adopt a tougher approach to online piracy in a speech today at the Cabinet Forum. . The proposals mean that internet service providers will play a part in identifying the worst offenders, and will send warning letters before cutting them off from the internet. Account suspension will be an option available as a last resort for the most serious infringers, according to Mandleson, who believes that a series of cajoling letters will be enough to dissuade many downloaders from reoffending. "It is clear that, whilst unlawful file-sharing excites a strong response from all sides, it is not a victimless act. It is a genuine threat to our creative industries," said Mandelson.. Mandelson reveals a strategy to tackle unyielding file sharers, engaging internet service providers in tracking violators.. File Sharing, Online Piracy, ISP Regulations. . Alex
Swissinfo web site on 21 July; subheadings as published: A record of almost every email sent to and from Switzerland is to be logged and stored for at least six months, under a new Swiss surveillance law. Since the beginning of . . . . Swissinfo web site on 21 July; subheadings as published: A record of almost every email sent to and from Switzerland is to be logged and stored for at least six months, under a new Swiss surveillance law. Since the beginning of 2002, all Swiss Internet service providers (ISPs) have been legally obliged to record the time, date, sender ID and receiver ID of all emails. While the information to be recorded does not include the content of emails, legal experts have expressed concern that the law poses an unnecessary threat to people's privacy. "[Under] the new law, Internet providers in Switzerland are required to keep certain information about the mail that is exchanged," says Zurich-based information technology legal expert, David Rosenthal. "However, there are so many loopholes that the successful interception [of criminal emails] would be so low. I personally don't believe it justifies the immense effort and intrusion into privacy," he told swissinfo. The link for this article located at Hoovers.com is no longer available. . Swissinfo web site on 21 July; subheadings as published: A record of almost every email sent to and . swissinfo, subheadings, published, record, almost, every, email. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
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