From the Electronic Frontier Foundation, this website on MGM v. Grokster: “EFF is defending StreamCast Networks, the company behind the Morpheus P2P software, in this important lawsuit pending in federal court in Los Angeles. Twenty-eight of the world’s largest entertainment companies brought this lawsuit against the makers of the Morpheus, Grokster, and Kazaa software products,… Continue Reading
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Monthly Archives: September 2003
Compilation of Library-Related Resources on Patriot Act
Via the DC Chapter of the Special Libraries Association website, this link to a compilation of Patriot Act commentaries, news and journal articles, and postings to discussion groups, from a range of sources that include the New York Times, USA Today, PBS, LLRX.com, and librarian.net, a website which was prominently cited in the print version… Continue Reading
New Blog on Verifiable Voting Technology
From Warren Slocum, Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder, San Mateo County, California, a link to his new blog, Election Central, “The Web’s 1st Blog on Verified Voting, Election Reform & Democracy.” [via Politechbot.com] From the EFF, see also Flawed E-Voting Standard Sent Back to Drawing Board Continue Reading
Mixed Message in Commentary on Libraries and Patriot Act
From the New York Times Magazine, 9/28/03: Is it possible that librarians could be the biggest threat to the Patriot Act? Continue Reading
Worldwide Survey of E-Politics
PoliticsOnline announced the results of its global survey to identify the 25 Who Are Changing the World of Internet and Politics. From the press release, what follows is a selection of the honorees: BBC News and iCan team – The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) website is arguably the leading global authority in political news. Dean… Continue Reading
Library Associations Back P2P Companies in Upcoming Case
According to Declan McCullagh, the Amerian Library Association (ALA) planned to file an amicus brief today (9th Circuit Court of Appeals), contending that file sharing companies Streamcast Networks and Grokster should not be forced to close down. The ALA was joined by the Association of Research Libraries, the American Association of Law Libraries, the Medical… Continue Reading
DOD Appropriations Eliminates Funding for TIA
From the House Conference Report (108-283), on H.R. 2658 (263 pages, pdf): Sec. 8131. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available in this or any other Act may be obligated for the Terrorism Information Awareness Program: Provided, That this limitation shall not apply to the program… Continue Reading
Deployment of CAPPS II Delayed by Congress
As part of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill, H.R. 2555, Sec. 519, Congress is blocking the implementation of CAPPS II pending a review (to be completed by February 15, 2004), by the GAO, of the system’s privacy standards. Sec. 519, Research, Development, Acquisition, and Operations, states in part: “None of the funds provided… Continue Reading
New Legislation to Repeal Portions of Patriot Act
Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) issued a press release on his introduction of a bill (H.R. 3171) to repeal sections of the Patriot Act that authorize violations of civil liberties. “The Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act repeals sections of the USA PATRIOT Act that authorize sneak and peak searches, warrentless library, medical, and financial record… Continue Reading
Roller Coaster Ride for Do Not Call Registry
The FTC’s National Do Not Call Registry has been the focus of law and legislation this week. On September 23, the registry was blocked by a court order, and on September 25, the House and Senate, exhibiting unusal unanimity and alacrity, authorized the agency’s creation of the registry. But by the evening of September 25,… Continue Reading
Passenger Record Info in Wake of JetBlue
Several resources of note for those interested in the government’s collection and use of airline passenger itineraries and associated personal data: The ACLU has posted an online FOIA request for use by passengers seeking to determine whether data collected by JetBlue is now part of the DOD’s TSA database. From The Practical Nomad, a range… Continue Reading
Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 Signed Today By President Bush
H.R. 13, P.L. 108- 81, the Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 (Sept. 25, 2003; 117 Stat. 991; 15 pages). Continue Reading
