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Sony Capitulates on One DRM Case

By Stearns | December 31, 2005

Good news. I’d be happier if there were a legal decision that established a precedent. But the settlement sounds good just the same.

Posted in General | Tagged legal decision | Comments closed

Tales of the Sausage Factory

Of Folk Tales and Intellectual Property

By Harold | December 29, 2005

As the year winds down, I’ve been thinking how a traditional folk tale illuminates the folly of expanding copyright, trademark and patent rights. In particular, I find this explains why I find the lawsuits against Google Library so annoying and wrong-headed.

Posted in General | Tagged google, money | 3 Comments (Comments closed)

Tales of the Sausage Factory

Senate Confirms Tate and Copps

By Harold | December 22, 2005

Late last night Posted in General | Tagged blog, deborah tate, fcc, fcc commissioner, michael copps, senate | Comments closed

Tales of the Sausage Factory

What we can Learn from the “War on Christmas”

By Harold | December 21, 2005

The latest effort by social conservatives to rally their troops around the so called “war on Christmas” teaches us many valuable lessons for the season. Notably, we can look forward to more ugliness in 2006 as the conservative sound machine ramps up the volume to try to drive its troops out for what (for now at least) look like pretty dismal ’06 by-election for the GOP.

Posted in "A Republic, if you can keep it" | Tagged fox news, good folks, noise machine, target | 8 Comments (Comments closed)

Tales of the Sausage Factory

The last wireless believer has left the Federal Building

By Harold | December 21, 2005

Michael Gallagher, the Assistant Secretary in charge of the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) is leaving. It looks like a bleak year for those who believe that more spectrum made available to the public will bring greater economic propserity and freedom of speech for all.

Posted in General | Tagged domain name system, fcc proceedings, federal communications commission, icann, national telecommunications, ntia administrator | Comments closed

Tales of the Sausage Factory

A 2-1 FCC?

By Harold | December 20, 2005

Unbelievably, the vote on confirmation for Deborah Tate (the new Republican replacement for Kathleen Abernathy) and Michael Copps (Dem) (to sit another 5 year term) is delayed. Why? Because Senators act like 6 year olds.

Posted in General | Tagged committee chair, deborah tate, fcc, fcc commissioner, michael copps, ted stevens, voip providers | Comments closed

Tales of the Sausage Factory

Hallmark Channel to Show Documentary on Low Power FM

By Harold | December 14, 2005

I’m posting an announcement for a documentary about low power FM (LPFM). As regular readers probably know, I represent United Church of Christ, which made the documentary, at the FCC on LPFM issues.

LPFM: The People’s Choice“ to air on the Hallmark Channel on Sunday, January 8th at 7 am EST and 7 am PST.

There’s a new sound on the air and it’s emanating from a source deep in the hearts and minds of Americans across the country. ”LPFM: The People’s Choice“ chronicles the extraordinary story of a low power, low cost radio service that withstood the rigors of Capitol Hill and special interest attacks. Today, LPFM is sending out a loud and clear signal — Freedom of Speech has a new ally, and it’s LPFM. ”LPFM: The People’s Choice” is more than a documentary- it is a rallying cry to build community around locally owned media. The film chronicles how low power FM radio is bringing diverse people closer together and giving new life to disadvantaged communities, new strength to neighborhoods and new voices in the marketplace of ideas. This program is not a debate about the merits of LPFM vs. the radio industry. Rather, it is meant to educate the audience about the possibilities for finding a new voice with LPFM. The film was produced by the Office of Commmunication of the United Church of Christ. For more information, please visit us at www.ucc.org/ocinc, or call 202-263-2576.

Posted in General | Tagged fcc, radio industry, radio service, rallying cry, united church of christ | Comments closed

My Thoughts Exactly

Keep an eye out for Jerry, please

By John | December 13, 2005

My friend and former coworker at Laszlo Systems, Jerry Tang, has been missing since the end of November, last seen in his home city of San Francisco. Jerry, a father of two young children, has a seizure disorder and is believed to be without his medications. He has lived in Philadelphia and in Framingham, MA.

More information, including what to do if you see Jerry, can be found here.

<%image(2/20051213-jerry_tang.jpg|355|300|Jerry Tang)%>

Posted in General | Tagged laszlo systems | Comments closed

Tales of the Sausage Factory

Farewell to Abernathy

By Harold | December 12, 2005

Last Friday, December 9, marked the departure of Republican Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy. The FCC therefore briefly drops to a 2-1 Democratic majority. But the Senate should confirm Deborah Tate, a Republican Public Utilities Commissioner (and neighbor of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist) before it adjorns, bringing the FCC back to 2-2.

A few reflections on Abernathy and some thoughts about the likely new Commission below.

Posted in General | Tagged broadcast ownership, deborah tate, fcc, last friday, michael powell, public interest community, public utilities, reflections, senate majority leader, speculation | Comments closed

Inventing the Future

Them's Fitin' Words, Craig

By Stearns | December 12, 2005

When I first heard about the $100 laptop project, I didn’t get it. Sure, I saw the value in having one laptop per child worldwide – I’m not stupid or mean – but I didn’t see why it wouldn’t just happen on its own. Prices are falling all the time. To make this project happen, it didn’t require a world-class engineering team, it required a team of world-class shoppers, I thought. My mother-in-law should run this project. I even argued with Alan Kay about it, to the point where folks had to come take him away before I was able to understand why so much effort needed to be poured into this right now.

I was wrong, and Alan was absolutely right. (Big surprise, no?) I have been convinced by these dismissive remarks by Intel Chairman Craig Barret.

More links: UN, tech and good discussion, historical background, interview.

Posted in General | Tagged alan kay, intel, surprise | 3 Comments (Comments closed)

Sony Capitulates on One DRM Case

Of Folk Tales and Intellectual Property

Senate Confirms Tate and Copps

What we can Learn from the “War on Christmas”

The last wireless believer has left the Federal Building

A 2-1 FCC?

Hallmark Channel to Show Documentary on Low Power FM

Keep an eye out for Jerry, please

Farewell to Abernathy

Them's Fitin' Words, Craig

Support Net Neutrality!

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