POTUS Makes it Easier for People to Share Video-Viewing Habits Online

President Obama signed Netflix-backed legislation today that makes it easier for people to share their video-viewing habits online.

With his signature on H.R. 6671, Obama approved an amendment to the 1988 Video Privacy Protection Act that allows video rental companies to obtain customer consent to share information about their viewing preferences on social networks such as Facebook.

Read the complete article from CNet.com

 

Obama Admin Skeptical of Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)

“The Obama administration has joined the ranks of skeptics of the Stop Online Piracy Act. In an online statement released Saturday, three senior White House officials wrote that the administration “will not support legislation that reduces freedom of expression, increases cybersecurity risk, or undermines the dynamic, innovative global Internet.”

Read the full article at arstechnica.com

Obama’s Administration Takes Tough Stance on Online Music Piracy

by Professor Tonya M. Evans

With growing concern among the music industry about infringements music copyrights online, leaders are pressing for Internet Service Provider liability with teeth. On Monday, August 30, 2010, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke issued a scathing statement about the issue urging ISPs to cooperate to shut down repeat offenders instead of turning a blind eye. The leading proposal is known as the “three strikes” or a”graduated response” theory. [for more information about Graduated Response, Professor Peter Yu’s articles on the topic.]

According to Locke, the Commerce Department is working on an administration-wide effort to address music piracy concerns online.

Read more at Wired.com