Category Archives: News of the Week

News of the Week; May 15, 2013

1. EA will no longer pay gun makers for the right to depict weapons in games: http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/8/4311300/electronic-arts-distances-itself-from-gun-manufacturers

2. ‘Xbox Killer’ Takes Conviction Fight to Florida Supreme Courthttp://gamepolitics.com/2013/05/09/xbox-killer-takes-conviction-fight-florida-supreme-court#.UZPyh5VC7fg

3. Research: Frequent Exposure to Violent Games May Have ‘Desensitizing Effect’: http://www.gamepolitics.com/2013/05/10/research-frequent-exposure-violent-games-may-have-desensitizing-effect#.UZKU1pVC7fg

4. Vice President Sees No Legal Hurdles in Enacting Sin Tax on Violent Mediahttp://www.gamepolitics.com/2013/05/13/vice-president-sees-no-legal-hurdles-enacting-sin-tax-violent-media#.UZJvM5VC7fh

5. Blizzard Donates Money Made from Diablo III Gold Glitch to Children’s Charityhttp://gamepolitics.com/2013/05/13/blizzard-donates-money-made-diablo-iii-gold-glitch-childrens-charity#.UZKLz5VC7fg

6. Make Your Own Video Game With No Coding Required: http://mashable.com/2013/05/07/pixel-press/

7. Appeals court ruling could be ‘death’ of software patents: http://m.networkworld.com/news/2013/051013-appeals-court-ruling-could-be-269658.html#mobify-bookmark

8. The Intellectual Property Implications of Low-Cost 3D Printing by S. Bradshaw, A. Bowyer & P. Haufe: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/ahrc/script-ed/vol7-1/bradshaw.asp

9. Google, Twitter, Facebook and the new global battle over the future of free speech: http://www.newrepublic.com/article/113045/free-speech-internet-silicon-valley-making-rules

10. Are end-user agreements for tangible products on the horizon?: http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=6777a6e3-acc7-42db-b511-36446fbb1769

11. The state of Internet privacy in 2013: Research roundup: http://journalistsresource.org/studies/economics/business/the-state-of-internet-privacy-in-2013-research-roundup#

12. In the not entirely relevant category:

A Theory of Justice, the Musical Imagines Philosopher John Rawls as a Time-Traveling Adventurerhttp://www.openculture.com/2013/05/ia_theory_of_justice_the_musicali_imagines_philosopher_john_rawls_as_a_time-traveling_adventurer.html

13. And in the could we possibly be more prejudiced and out of date category:

Nintendo of Japan Patches Out Same-Sex Relationships in Tomodachi Collection: New Lifehttp://gamepolitics.com/2013/05/13/nintendo-japan-patches-out-sam-sex-relationships-tomodachi-collection-new-life#.UZKFTpVC7fg

jon

News of the Week; May 8, 2013

1. Cat meme creators in legal battle with Scribblenauts: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-05-03-cat-meme-creators-in-legal-battle-with-scribblenauts?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=european-daily

2. Sega, Gearbox Respond to Aliens: Colonial Marines Class Action Lawsuithttp://www.gamepolitics.com/2013/05/03/sega-gearbox-respond-aliens-colonial-marines-class-action-lawsuit#.UYgYpZVC7fh

3. Piracy or baiting? The thorny legal question of Game Dev Tycoon’s honeypot: http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/05/piracy-or-baiting-the-thorny-legal-question-of-game-dev-storys-honeypot/

4. New S. Korean legislation groups games with alcohol and drugs: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-05-03-new-s-korean-legislation-groups-games-with-alcohol-and-drugs?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=european-daily

5. Patrice Desilets leaves Ubisoft again: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-05-07-patrice-desilets-leaves-ubisoft-again

6. EA drops gun licenses, will use them anyway: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-05-08-ea-drops-gun-licenses-will-use-them-anyway?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=european-daily

7. Want to Slow Mental Decay? Play a Video Game: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130501192918.htm?utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer:%2Bvincefavilla%2Bon%2Btwitter&buffer_share=7fc40

8. Google hires a chief game designer, but isn’t saying why: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/191644/Google_hires_a_chief_game_designer_but_isnt_saying_why.php

9. Court Dismisses Craigslist Suit Against Competitors: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/01/court-dismisses-craigslist-suit-against-competitors/?nl=technology&emc=edit_tu_20130502

10. Facebook wins millions in case against typo squatters: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57582384-93/facebook-wins-millions-in-case-against-typo-squatters/

jon

News of the Week; May 1, 2013

1. SEGA, Gearbox sued in class action lawsuit over Aliens-CM: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-05-01-sega-gearbox-sued-in-class-action-lawsuit-over-aliens-cm?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=european-daily

2. Electronic Arts Faces Jury Trial Over ‘Madden NFL’: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/electronic-arts-faces-jury-trial-447243?buffer_share=0590c&utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer%253A%252Bwkeithrobinson%252Bon%252Btwitter

3. Greenheart Games Trolls Pirates With Altered Cracked Version Of Game Dev Tycoon: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130429/07360222878/greenheart-games-trolls-pirates-with-altered-cracked-version-game-dev-tycoon.shtml

4. Experts – Chris Christie’s Video Game Proposals Would Face Uphill Legal Battleshttp://www.gamepolitics.com/2013/04/24/experts-chris-christies-video-game-proposals-would-face-uphill-legal-battles#.UXhpGpVC5Lw

5. In Defense of Violent Video Games: http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2013/04/29/no-link-between-violent-video-games-effects-and-school-shootings

6. Scientology Spoof Takes Grand Theft Auto V Ads Viral: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/123598-Scientology-Spoof-Takes-Grand-Theft-Auto-V-Ads-Viral

7. Is the end near for used video games? http://www.statesman.com/news/business/is-the-end-near-for-used-video-games/nXWh3/

8. Riot: Don’t ban your players, reform them: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-04-26-riot-dont-ban-your-players-reform-them?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=european-daily

9. GTFO: Don’t film the trolls: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-04-26-gtfo-dont-film-the-trolls?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=european-daily

10. IDC expects paying mobile gamers to pass paying handheld gamers this year: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-04-25-idc-expects-paying-mobile-gamers-to-pass-handhelds-this-year?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=european-daily

11. Court Rules in Artist’s Favor: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/26/arts/design/appeals-court-ruling-favors-richard-prince-in-copyright-case.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1367262745-0VYciVLsAKUHOU4sz2VLGQ

+ Appropriation Artist Richard Prince Prevails Against Photographer at Appeals Court: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/appropriation-artist-richard-prince-prevails-446479

+ USCA decision in Patrick Cariou v. Richard Prince, et al.: http://www.ca2.uscourts.gov/decisions/isysquery/5da8dc66-179e-4dc0-94cc-09e213bfffe3/1/doc/11-1197_complete_opn.pdf#xml=http://www.ca2.uscourts.gov/decisions/isysquery/5da8dc66-179e-4dc0-94cc-09e213bfffe3/1/hilite/

12. Court Ruling Takes a Stand on Essential High-Tech Patents: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/28/court-ruling-takes-a-stand-on-essential-high-tech-patents/?nl=technology&emc=edit_tu_20130429

13. Google Transparency Report shows censorship spike, details takedown requests: http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/25/google-transparency-report-shows-censorship-spike/

14. Pushing the boundaries of copyright protection? Card, board and football games: http://ipkitten.blogspot.ca/2013/04/pushing-boundaries-of-copyright.html?m=1

15. Disruptions: Brain Computer Interfaces Inch Closer to Mainstream: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/28/disruptions-no-words-no-gestures-just-your-brain-as-a-control-pad/?nl=technology&emc=edit_tu_20130429

jon

News of the Week; April 24, 2013

1. EA Convinces California Court to Cancel ‘Edge’ Trademarks: http://www.gamepolitics.com/2013/04/19/ea-convinces-california-court-cancel-edge-trademarks#.UXRn3pVC5Lx

2. Can you sell second hand games legally? Should you? – Jas Purewal: http://www.gamesbrief.com/2013/04/can-you-sell-second-hand-games-legally-should-you/

3. Film to be distributed via games console for first time: http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/21651921

4. Microsoft to pay Japanese Xbox owners with Points for a million hours of playtime: http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/17/4233928/xbox-owners-free-microsoft-points-for-playing-japan

5. Activision Buys Competition: http://yearofbacklogs.wordpress.com/2013/04/22/activision-buys-competition/

6. UK Interactive Entertainment CEO defends games as culture before EU tax investigation: http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/uk-interactive-entertainment-ceo-defends-games-as-culture-before/

7. Video games may encourage healthy behavior: http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2013/04/23/video-games-may-encourage-healthy-behavior/

8. Rutgers Player-Authors Survey: http://player-authors.rutgers.edu/2013/04/18/rutgers-player-authors-survey/

9. Thrown for a Curve in Rhode Island: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/21/business/curt-schilling-rhode-island-and-the-fall-of-38-studios.html?nl=technology&emc=edit_tu_20130422

10. A Breakdown of Canada’s Videogame Industry, the Third Biggest in the World: http://www.techvibes.com/blog/canadas-video-game-industry-2013-03-25

11. IGDA Strongly Opposes CISPAhttp://www.gamepolitics.com/2013/04/19/igda-strongly-opposes-cispa#.UXRoUJVC5Lx

12. YouTube defeats Viacom copyright lawsuit – again: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57580355-93/youtube-defeats-viacom-copyright-lawsuit-again/

+ Link to Viacom v YouTube District Court decision: http://www.scribd.com/doc/136780319/Youtube

13. UMG Wins Copyright Ruling in Case Against Grooveshark: http://variety.com/2013/music/news/umg-wins-copyright-ruling-in-case-against-grooveshark-1200410119/

14. PRIVACY AND SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE AGE OF BIG DATA – Report of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (House of Commons, Canada): http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/HOC/Committee/411/ETHI/Reports/RP6094136/411_ETHI_Rpt05_PDF/411_ETHI_Rpt05-e.pdf

15. Ex-Google ad engineer fights back against advertisers with anti-tracking software: http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/16/4232370/ex-google-ad-engineer-fights-back-against-advertisers-with-anti

16. Why You’ll Soon Be Paying Sales Taxes on All of Your Internet Purchases–Amazon v. NY Taxation Department: http://blog.ericgoldman.org/archives/2013/04/why_youll_soon.htm

17. The Google Shortcut to Trademark Law – Lisa Larrimore Ouellette: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2195989

jon

“scripted” Issue on Post Mortem Privacy

scripted is a journal of law, technology & society available online. The most current issue has post mortem privacy as its theme, a subject that came up in class particularly in Week 5’s talk and thereafter. For anyone doing a paper trenching on the territory and indeed for anyone interested here is a direct link to the issue: http://script-ed.org/?page_id=32

jon

News of the Week; April 17, 2013

1. ‘Free’ Web And App Games Investigated: http://news.sky.com/story/1077099/free-web-and-app-games-investigated

+ OFT’s investigation of UK free to play games and children: a step into the unknown?: http://www.osborneclarke.co.uk/publications/sectors/digital-business/alert/free-to-play-games-investigation.aspx

2. NJ Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Ban Non-Existent ‘Mature Rated’ Public Arcade Gameshttp://www.gamepolitics.com/2013/04/15/nj-lawmaker-proposes-bill-ban-non-existent-mature-rated-public-arcade-games#.UW2c6L9C5Lw

3. Antitrust complaint against Android is an attack on open source: http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/04/opinion-antitrust-complaint-against-android-is-an-attack-on-open-source/

4. 56 percent of all patent lawsuits are made by patent trolls: http://www.zdnet.com/56-percent-of-all-patent-lawsuits-are-made-by-patent-trolls-7000013896/

5. A look at the Bitcoin network transaction history: http://www.technollama.co.uk/a-look-at-the-bitcoin-network-transaction-history

6. Why are lawyers deciding on munchkins’ hairstyles? The Wizard of Oz and copyright: http://www.ipwhiteboard.com.au/why-are-lawyers-deciding-on-munchkins-hairstyles-the-wizard-of-oz-and-copyright/

7. Australia To Propose Copyright Reform That Includes Fair Use: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130412/16590422698/australia-to-propose-copyright-reform-that-includes-fair-use.shtml?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

8. New Book On The History Of Music, Copyright And Piracy Shows How Copyright Tends To Hold Back Music: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130410/07134322658/new-book-history-music-copyright-piracy-shows-how-copyright-tends-to-hold-back-music.shtml?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

9. Google’s New Inactive Account Manager Gives You Control Over Your Digital Afterlife: http://techcrunch.com/2013/04/11/googles-afterlife/

jon

News of the Week; April 10, 2013

1. Zynga launches real-money online gambling, stock price surges: http://arstechnica.com/business/2013/04/zynga-launches-real-money-online-gambling-stock-price-surges/

2. Misogyny, Sexism, And Why RPS Isn’t Shutting Up: http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/04/06/misogyny-sexism-and-why-rps-isnt-shutting-up/

3. Dancing girls and industry evolution: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-04-05-dancing-girls-and-industry-evolution?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=european-daily

4. Minecraft, Scrolls, 0X10C: The Past, Present and Future of Mojang as Seen Through Notch’s Eyes: http://www.polygon.com/2013/4/5/4183864/minecraft-scrolls-0x10c-the-past-present-and-future-of-mojang-as-seen#

5. Sen. Dianne Feinstein Talks Guns and Games at San Francisco Gatheringhttp://www.gamepolitics.com/2013/04/04/sen-dianne-feinstein-talks-guns-and-games-san-francisco-gathering#.UWH7Lr_R1Lw

6. Video Game Lobby Steers Gun Violence Debate Away: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/09/video-game-lobby_n_3046533.html

7. The Psychological Appeal of Violent Shooters: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-04-08-the-psychological-appeal-of-violent-shooters?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=european-daily

8. Patent troll Lodsys sues 10 mobile game makers, despite Apple’s intervention:  http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/04/patent-troll-lodsys-sues-10-mobile-game-makers-despite-apples-intervention/

9. Sega forced to admit wrongdoing in Alien: Colonial Marines advertising: http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/04/sega-forced-to-admit-wrongdoing-in-alien-colonial-marines-advertising/

10. Microsoft creative director: ‘I don’t get the drama’ over ‘always-on’ Xbox rumors: http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/5/4185938/adam-orth-speaks-on-required-internet-connection-for-durango-rumors

11. Cancer, The Video Gamehttp://kotaku.com/cancer-the-video-game-471333034

12. Crown bound by Copyright Act: Manitoba v Access Copyright: http://www.barrysookman.com/2013/04/05/crown-bound-by-copyright-act-goverment-of-manitoba-and-access-copyright/

13. Google Immunized for Its Search Results–Mmubango v. Google: http://blog.ericgoldman.org/archives/2013/04/google_immunize.htm

14. In our digital world you don’t own stuff, you just license it: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/apr/05/digital-media-licensed-not-owned

15. Beyond the Patents-Prizes Debate by Daniel Hemel, Lisa Ouellette: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2245691

jon

News of the Week; April 3, 2013

1. Immigrant Uses Xbox Live History To Gain Legal Residency: http://www.gamepolitics.com/2013/03/26/immigrant-uses-xbox-live-history-gain-legal-residency#.UVnYC7_R1Lw

2. Iowa State Rearchers Find Link Between Juvenile Offenders and Playing Violent Video Games: http://www.gamepolitics.com/2013/03/27/iowa-state-researchers-find-link-between-juvenile-offenders-and-playing-violent-video-gam#.UVnYs7_R1Lw

3. What would you do if you weren’t afraid?: http://meagan-marie.tumblr.com/post/46396481491/what-would-you-do-if-you-werent-afraid

4. Turning the tables on trolls: ‘Tropes vs. Women’ creator talks harassment at GDC: http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/28/4157748/anita-sarkeesian-talks-about-harassment-at-gdc

5. Banner & Witcoff secures win for Wargaming.net: http://www.patentarcade.com/2013/03/banner-witcoff-secures-win-for.html?m=1

6. A Setback for Resellers of Digital Products: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/02/business/media/redigi-loses-suit-over-reselling-of-digital-music.html?nl=technology&emc=edit_tu_20130402

+ link to U.S. District Court decision in Capitol Records, LLC v. ReDigi Inc.http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/threatlevel/2013/04/redigiruling.pdf

7. Aereo Wins a Court Battle, Dismaying Broadcasters: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/02/business/media/aereo-wins-in-appeals-court-setting-stage-for-trial-on-streaming-broadcast-tv.html

+ link to USCA decision in WNET v. Aereo, Inc. http://www.ca2.uscourts.gov/decisions/isysquery/2a55b1d7-8f1b-46df-9a0d-82d36c31ed06/1/doc/12-2786_12-2807_complete_opn.pdf#xml=http://www.ca2.uscourts.gov/decisions/isysquery/2a55b1d7-8f1b-46df-9a0d-82d36c31ed06/1/hilite/

8. New York Court Upholds Sales Tax for Online Retailers: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/29/technology/amazon-and-overstock-lose-challenge-to-online-sales-tax.html nl=technology&emc=edit_tu_20130329&_r=0

9. Now THIS is how to write your startup’s Terms of Servicehttp://thenextweb.com/insider/2013/03/29/now-this-is-how-to-write-a-terms-of-service-document/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+TheNextWeb+(The+Next+Web+All+Stories)

10. Letting Down Our Guard With Web Privacy: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/31/technology/web-privacy-and-how-consumers-let-down-their-guard.html?nl=technology&emc=edit_tu_20130401&_r=1&

11. Entire library journal editorial board resigns, citing ‘crisis of conscience’ after death of Aaron Swartz: http://mobile.theverge.com/2013/3/26/4149752/library-journal-resigns-for-open-access-citing-aaron-swartz

12. Copyright Ruling Rings With Echo of Betamax: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/27/business/in-a-copyright-ruling-the-lingering-legacy-of-the-betamax.html?nl=technology&emc=edit_tu_20130327&_r=1&

And in the not really relevant category:

13. Lindt loses German case over Easter bunny trademark: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/28/us-lindt-bunnies-ruling-idUSBRE92R0CU20130328

jon