Explanation of Megaupload Study (or: Econometrics 101) — Brett Danaher, who, along with Michael D. Smith, co-authored the recent study showing the shut down of Megaupload caused a 6-10% rise in digital film sales, explains the study’s methodology in plain English. A thoroughly useful article that should be pointed to by those who criticize the work (apparently without reading the study). As Danaher notes, “The most common critique in comments on blogs and news articles is that ‘sales were increasing anyway because of (digital growth) (new digital channels) (blockbusters released in January) (insert your favorite reason you think sales would have grown here).’ I suppose people think that as economists we would not have thought of this.”
Unlocking Cell Phones Shouldn’t Dismantle Copyright Laws — I have an article over at IP Watchdog this week about recent developments regarding the petition to reverse the decision not to grant a DMCA exemption for unlocking cell phones. Proponents behind the petition are set to get exactly what they asked for but are now complaining that it’s not enough.
Meet the men who spy on women through their webcams — One of the creepiest articles I’ve read in recent memory. Made worse by the fact (not noted in this article until the last page) that the same technology has begun to be used by repressive governments to spy on dissidents.
Derek Khanna & Co. Continue Attack on Artists Rights at SXSWi Panel — The Trichordist reports on another unbalanced panel about copyright, this one at SXSW. Panelists, including Cheezburger CEO Ben Huh, were advocating “permissionless innovation” — that weird new tech buzzword that ignores the fact that things like “permission” and “consent” and “agreement” are at the foundation of any free society. But the ultimate irony, as Tricordist points out, is that for many features of the Cheezburger network of sites, like its API, one can use them only after getting, well, permission.
Word ‘Innovate’ Said 650,000 Times At SXSW So Far — Speaking of SXSW and buzzwords, the Onion nails it.
“Prior to joining the Copyright Alliance team, Terry wrote for Copyhype, a blog he started in 2010 that aims to make copyright cool again through lengthy, dry, legally dense articles.”
Funny, but true. LOL!