copyright

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Copyright Troll Apologizes

Let this be a warning to all copyright trolls: filing frivolous copyright claims carries legal consequences. That’s why the aptly-named copyright troll Michael Crook was forced to make this video apology in an out-of-court settlement with the blog 10 Zen Monkeys.

Who knew you can’t control your own image? Apparently, not this guy. Watch his crooked face and learn.

(Via 10 Zen Monkeys’ Creative Commons License.)

Norway Declares iTunes DRM Illegal

Kudos to the Norwegians on taking a stand against DRM. They’ve just declared iTunes illegal because of it.

In a bold move against iTunes’ DRM, called Fairplay, the Norwegian Consumer Council has deemed it illegal in Norway, with France and Germany possibly following suit.

Norway isn’t happy with Apple’s DRM technology that restricts play of files downloaded from its iTunes Store to only iPods [when away from the computer]. Because other portable players are not allowed to play the files, Norwegian Consumer Ombudsman Bjørn Erik Thon has declared Apple’s Fairplay technology is anything but.

“I understand that a company feels the need to protect its products from piracy,” said Thon in 2006. “However, this should not negatively affect customers who through lawful means have obtained downloaded files. Today, iTunes´ use of DRM technology renders the customers without rights in dealing with a company which on a whim can dictate what kind of access customers will have to products they have already paid for.”

If you have kids, have them read The Pig and the Box. It’s a children’s book that’ll teach them the folly of DRM before corporate propaganda can get to them.