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Lib-Ray Non-DRM HD Video Standard Project Launched on Kickstarter

by Terry Hancock on 04 May 2012

As part of a project to create a non-DRM fixed media standard for high-definition video releases, Terry Hancock has launched a Kickstarter campaign which will produce two Lib-Ray video titles and player software to support them.

"Sita Sings the Blues" is the award-winning, feature-length animation by Question Copyright Artist-in-Residence Nina Paley, released under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license. This will be a Creator Endorsed release, with a portion of funds going to Nina Paley herself after the minimum needed for the project is raised. This will be a beautiful edition in 1920x1080 HD video with lossless stereo audio, and it will be subtitled in over a dozen languages. This is the first time this film has been available in high-definition, due to Paley's reluctance to use Blu-Ray with its DRM issues. .. read the rest of this article »

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Looking for a trusts & estates lawyer for help with a new initiative.

by Karl Fogel on 01 May 2012

Question Copyright is looking for a trusts & estates lawyer for some quick pro bono help with an interesting new initiative. If you are one, or know one, please contact us. Thanks!

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QCO Minute Meme "Copying Is Not Theft" Sets the Frame Again on Al Jazeera

by Karl Fogel on 19 Apr 2012

Thanks to reader Osama Khalid for telling us about another use of Nina Paley's Minute Meme Copying Is Not Theft on Al Jazeera — in this case, using it exactly as we hope the Minute Memes will be used: to set the frame or introduce the issues for a discussion. It's played near the beginning, at about 2:30:

And it's followed by a fantastic interview with Rick Falkvinge, in which he explains why Pirate Party resonates with so many people and why its political philosophy is deeply connected with civil liberties.

(This is not the first time that "Copying Is Not Theft" has appeared on Al Jazeera.)

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Copyright Gone Mad in Canada

by Karl Fogel on 11 Apr 2012

Any monopoly over public information is questionable, but we cast an especially gimlet gaze on attempts to monopolize publicly-funded information. That's what the government of Canada is doing to GeoCoder.ca right now (well, "doing to all Canadians" would be more accurate, but GeoCoder.ca is the lucky proximate target).

Canada Post is upset over GeoCoder's freely-licensed database of Canadian postal codes. Since 2004 GeoCoder has crowdsourced the creation of a geo-coded Canadian postal code database. That is, members of the public have entered postal codes (public data) linked to location information (also public data). The resultant dataset is useable by anyone, and saves people from having to pay Canada Post $5000 CAD for an official copy.

So what does Canada Post do? Naturally, they sue.

(Plant face firmly in desk here.)

No, really. It's not April Fool's Day anymore -- we wouldn't make this up. Here's a quote from Canada Post's lawyer-gram: .. read the rest of this article »

Our New Headquarters.

by Karl Fogel on 01 Apr 2012

The new QCO headquarters.

Well, it's been a long time coming: we moved into our new headquarters this weekend. As you can see, at last there's room for all our staff -- no more doubling up at desks, no more working in shifts, no more waiting lists for parking spaces. We're really looking forward to finally being able to fit everyone at the all-hands meetings!

Many thanks to the recent donors who made this possible, especially the RIAA, MPAA, and Disney. Without their steadfast support, we wouldn't be where we are today.

Modern, state-of-the-art buildings like this don't come cheap, of course. Although we're convinced the new headquarters is the right decision for the organization, we thought it would be wise to start a capital campaign now to cover grounds maintenance, heating and cooling, electricity, and, of course, the snack budget. There's a full kitchen on every floor -- our dedicated associates will need fuel to fight for your freedoms effectively.

If you'd like to support us in our new home, please donate today! .. read the rest of this article »

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Lib-Ray Non-DRM HD Video Standard Project Launched on Kickstarter

Looking for a trusts & estates lawyer for help with a new initiative.

QCO Minute Meme "Copying Is Not Theft" Sets the Frame Again on Al Jazeera

Copyright Gone Mad in Canada

Our New Headquarters.