Wendy Seltzer, a Brooklyn Law School professor by day and Electronic Frontier Foundation staff attorney by night has an interesting skirmish going with the NFL over a video clip she posted to her blog. The clip is of the NFL’s copyright message aired during the Super Bowl. Take-down notices, counter-notifications and the details of the DMCA are at play here.
Wii Love It
March 15, 2007 By
Looks who’s on top of the video game market for the month of February. Nintendo’s Wii console outsold all the others. Poor Sony and the mega-flop PS3 was in third place trailing the Xbox360. I have only played the Wii and it really is as fun as people say. I had a blast and it was a heck of a workout too.
Microsoft Says Pirate Us
March 13, 2007 By
In a rare moment of clarity, Microsoft business group president Jeff Rakes says he would rather people pirate software from Microsoft if they’re going to pirate at all.
“We understand that in the long run the fundamental asset is the installed base of people who are using our products,” Raikes said. “What you hope to do over time is convert them to licensing the software.”
You usually don’t find this kind of advanced thinking at Microsoft so it’s nice to see someone up there has their head on straight. Windows Genuine Advantage still sucks though.
New Internet Video Content From Michael Eisner
March 12, 2007 By
I love this. Former Disney head Michael Eisner has formed a new online video studio, Vuguru and will release a new online video series, Prom Queen on April 2nd. The series will be 80 episodes of 90 seconds each. The studio is also working on several other video projects for the future.
I have gotten sick of what’s on traditional media, including what’s available on tv, I welcome any new players creating fresh content for the net. Another great new online video series you should check out is Stranger Things. While Hollywood and the entertainment industry in general spend most of their time figuring out how not to get “ripped off” by the public, these new creative entrepreneurs are going to pass them right by.
Mitch Joel Explains Twitter
March 7, 2007 By
In fairness to Twitter and before I disparage it anymore, I signed up and am trying it out. It’s strange and interesting at 
the same time. People talk about it being addictive and while I don’t feel that kind of pull myself, I can see aspects of what they’re talkng about. Mitch Joel recently wrote a fantastic post on Twitter. His title is the best description of what Twitter is that I have found.
Twitter Is To Blogging What Post-It Notes Are To Notebooks
If you want a good perspective on Twitter, it’s a must read. Mitch is a good read anyway.
Apple Gets Google Juice
March 6, 2007 By
New reports that Google and Apple will be working closer together in the coming years. Nobody knows what that exactly means yet, but probably good things for both companies. Interesting in the light of new rumors about a Google Phone. What with the future of Palm very much in doubt, someone needs to rise up and challenge Windows Mobile. It would be very cool to see a seamless mobile experience for Google Apps on a cell phone.
Wither Palm
March 4, 2007 By
It is sad to see the decline of Palm. They were once the hottest thing going, miles ahead of Microsoft, Apple and everyone else. What hapened? In the past few years they have been unable to innovate. Unable to update their signature Palm OS. How could you have that big a lead and through it all away? It’s not that Windows Mobile is such a fantastic mobile OS. But Microsoft has been greatly helped by some terrific hardware to run the OS. Now it looks as if Palm is loking for a buyer, but who? Nokia, Motorolla, and RIM have all staked out strong positions in the market and there doesn’t seem to be much strategic advantage to aquiring Palm. The hardware is big and bulky and the Palm OS is old and rickety. Maybe like an old horse somebody should take it out back and shoot it.
Do Advertisers Make Good TV Writers?
March 2, 2007 By
File this under bad ideas. Destined to fail. ABC will produce a TV series based on the caveman last seen in the Geico insurance company commercials.
“Cavemen” will revolve around three pre-historic men who must battle prejudice as they attempt to live as normal thirtysomethings in modern Atlanta.
You’ve got to be kidding me. Too many ad men and marketing wonks in the same room, enamoured by the smell of their own poop. I don’t know how else to explain it. The series is written by Joe Lawson who is the advertising copywriter behind the caveman ads. I would rather see a late night talk show hosted by the Geico Gecko.
RIAA On “Fair Use” Act DMCA
March 1, 2007 By
As usual, the RIAA has its own opinion of the Fair Use Act modification of the DMCA. As expected, they don’t like it. So says the RIAA:
The DMCA has enabled consumers to enjoy creative works through popular new technologies
Yes, the good folks at the RIAA are making a better digital life for all of us. Thanks God for the RIAA and thank God for DRM!
