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FCC's Wheeler Going The "Last Mile" For Faster Broadband
On Sept. 4 Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler proposed an "agenda for broadband competition" that helps meet Net neutrality concerns and could produce radical improvements while playing it safe in terms of FCC regulatory authority. It should not come as a surprise that these competitive principles are closely tied to January's federal court ruling striking down the FCC's second effort to regulate Net neutrality. Americans have few choices for truly high-speed broadband, and contract terms for these plans further reduce customers' ability to switch providers. "It was precisely the analysis of switching costs that the Commission adopted … and that the D.C. Circuit affirmed," said Wheeler. "In upholding the Commission's authority to maintain an open Internet in order to limit the gatekeeper power of broadband ISPs, the D.C. Circuit affirmed these competitive realities." As for how this ties in with Net neutrality, Wheeler said, "The entire open Internet proceeding is about ensuring that the Internet remains free from barriers erected by last-mile providers." Immediate reactions from industry and consumer groups were supportive. AT&T Senior Executive Vice President Jim Cicconi said, "In short, we agree with Chairman Wheeler's vision." The National Cable & Telecommunications Association said his remarks "underscore the importance of maintaining a light regulatory touch that encourages more investment from more companies."
Marti Named IP Enforcement Coordinator
President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Washington, D.C.-based attorney Danny Marti to serve as the second-ever U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator. Industry groups swiftly praised Obama's choice of Marti after the announcement on Aug. 28. The IPEC position was first filled by Victoria Espinel through August 2013; she is now president/CEO of the Business Software Alliance, the software industry's leading antipiracy organization.
Chinese Government Developing Alternative To Microsoft Windows
On Aug. 21 China's Xinhua news service reported on regional engineers' efforts to develop a homegrown computer operating system. Xinhua's coverage was based on remarks by project leader Ni Guangnan that appeared in a Ministry of Industry and Information Technology newspaper. "Creating an environment that allows us to contend with Google, Apple and Microsoft — that is the key to success," he said, emphasizing the need to develop an OS of sufficiently high quality. China has long been a focus for U.S. antipiracy efforts because of its high rate of infringement, including piracy of Microsoft Windows. Earlier this year, the Chinese government prohibited use of Microsoft's latest Windows 8 operating system on government computers. Although concerns about surveillance vulnerabilities contributed to China's new move into software development, the project makes sense in terms of reducing costs and avoiding copyright infringement. Ni estimated that a desktop version could be ready by this October, with mobile versions to follow.
British Camcording Pirate Receives 33-Month Sentence
British theatrical camcorder pirate Philip Danks received a stiff 33-month sentence on Aug. 21 in Wolverhampton Crown Court for making and distributing unauthorized copies of the Hollywood blockbuster Fast & Furious 6. Danks recorded the movie on the day it opened in 2013, sold online copies through Facebook, was arrested five days after he recorded it, and continued to sell unauthorized copies both online and on physical media even after his arrest last year. Danks' illegal copy was ultimately downloaded more than 700,000 times. The judge described Danks as "bold, arrogant and cocksure" and noted that the length of the sentence was due to the large number of aggravating factors in this case. The investigation and prosecution was led by British antipiracy organization Federation Against Copyright Theft.
The Recording Academy actively represents the music community on such issues as intellectual property rights, music piracy, archiving and preservation, and censorship concerns. In pursuing its commitment to addressing these and other issues, The Recording Academy undertakes a variety of national initiatives. ArtsWatch is a key part of an agenda aimed at raising public awareness of and support for the rights of artists. To become more involved, visit Advocacy Action @ GRAMMY.com and sign up for Advocacy Action E-lerts.