Media Companies Reach Copyright Pact
Media companies including Viacom, Microsoft Corp., News Corp.’s Fox and MySpace units and others have agreed to guidelines aimed at protecting copyrights online, a source familiar with the matter said this morning.
Google Inc, which faces a $1 billion copyright infringement suit filed by Viacom, is absent from the list of companies, but is currently in talks to possibly join.
The agreement is set to be disclosed today, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources.
The principles include using technology to eliminate copyright-infringing content uploaded by users to Web sites and blocking any material before it is publicly accessible, the source confirmed.
Google this week demonstrated new technology that allow content owners automate the identification of copyrighted material on its YouTube online video service.
The technology does not yet allow the blocking of copyrighted content from being uploaded.
CBS Corp., Walt Disney and NBC Universal are also part of the agreement, according to the source.
Source: Reuters
Guitar Hero III Soundtrack
Want all the songs for Guitar Hero III on Xbox 360? Then you’ll have to pony up for the game’s official soundtrack.
The $14 Guitar Hero Companion Pack, which will be released by Interscope Records on October 23.
It will contain a unique download code that can be redeemed on Xbox Live for a three-song download pack, which includes:
- “Carcinogen Crush” by AFI
- “Tina” by Flyleaf
- “Putting Holes In Happiness” by Marilyn Manson
The track list of the soundtrack CD is below:
- “Game Intro” - Slash
- “Mass Murder” - AFI
- “Kool Thing” - Sonic Youth
- “3’s and 7’s” - Queens Of The Stone Age
- “Cherub Rock” - Smashing Pumpkins
- “Slither” - Velvet Revolver
- “Cult of Personality” - Living Colour
- “Prayer Of The Refugee” - Rise Against
- “Tina” - Flyleaf
- “Putting Holes In Happiness” - Marilyn Manson/Nick Zinner
- “Devil Went Down To Georgia” - Performed by Steve Ouimette
It doesn’t include every Guitar Hero III song, but it does feature some of the more memorable ones.
Dog Using Apple iPod Touch
There appears to be a whole YouTube sub-genre of animals using Apple devices.
Gizmodo dug up this gem: A dog “browsing” photos on an Apple iPod Touch.
It looks more like the dog is attacking the Apple iPod, but still, it’s very, very cute.
You Can Change The World With Technology
Analysis of the RIAA’s victory over Jammie Thomas doesn’t have to be long.
Thomas got what was coming to her. She was obviously guilty… or was she?
From her blog/MySpace account:
I know this topic is debatable. It has been debated time and time again. I can honestly say I do NOT advocate theft. I will also say that I have NEVER used a P2P software to download or upload music. That was reason number one why I refused to settle with the music labels that were suing me in the first place. I did not do what they had accused me of and I was not going to pay them for someone else’s actions.
So what does the RIAA get now that Jammie Thomas got railroaded in my opinion?
$220,000 in actual (not punitive) damages for 24 shared files which is laughably out of touch with reality.
This victory is the RIAA’s money shot after years of lobbying, rent-seeking, bankrolling politicians and other legal and legislative maneuvering.
Nailing consumers for piracy is no longer untested law: it’s now backed by precedent.
The record industry is so obviously corrupt and immoral that most people either see thieving from it as a virtue, or are indifferent to its misfortunes.
Once an exemplar of venture capitalism’s driving spirit, the record industry is now nothing more than an economic and legal parasite.
Don’t believe me that the RIAA is in it for the money and not the justice?
Because after the verdict, RIAA attorney Richard Gabriel told reporters outside the courthouse “this is what can happen if you don’t settle.”
Replace Your Apple iPod’s Battery
One of the biggest complaints about the Apple iPod is the device’s poor battery performance.
An iPod holds a charge just fine when it’s new, but after a year or so of regular use, the operating time of the stock battery starts to shorten drastically.
When your iPod’s battery goes South, you’re left with a few replacement options.
You can send the unit to Apple and pay $66.00 USD, or you can buy a replacement kit for about $20.00 - 30.00 USD and perform the iPod surgery yourself.
I’ve done a few iPod battery replacements for friends and would highly recommend that you use a 3rd generation iPod battery kit from a company called Blue Raven.
Here’s a YouTube video of someone demonstrating how to replace an iPod battery:
Remember that any damage you do to your Apple iPod during the battery replacement is your own responsibility.
Also, cracking open your iPod and messing with its guts will void your warranty.
Free MP3 Music Downloads From WuZAM
Doing some late night, early morning research for an upcoming client project, I stumbled upon a free MP3 music download site called:
So what exactly is WuZAM? Taken from the official site:
WuZAM is an internet music search engine that makes mp3 downloads available for free. Search any song or artist you wish to hear and WuZAM’s powerful engine will discover it for you. WuZAM is the best source of free music downloads online.
Unlike peer-to-peer programs, WuZAM doesn’t require others to upload their music to you.
WuZAM searches for files stored on servers, not on users’ personal computers. WuZAM searches specifically for files in the mp3 format.
Sites like this come and go but for now it seems like a good source to track down some of your lost and forgotten music favorites not easily found at your local music shop.
Now it’s time to run off and listen to an old favorite of mine, “Holy Diver” by Dio 