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"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."  -Aristotle

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All Tags » Things that bother me » Intellectual Property » Technology (RSS)
  • When will the NFL Network standoff end?

    Like so many others , I was furious when I couldn't watch the Packers-Cowboys games a few weeks back. The NFL Network is only carried on satellite which is simply not an option for many of us in urban areas like NYC. For those who haven't been paying attention, there's been a long-running standoff between the cable companies and the NFL network. (ComCast carries it at a premium, but neither Time Warner or Cablevision offer it, free or otherwise). To sum up: The NFL wants its network carried on basic cable packages with channels such as ESPN or CNN, where it can reach the broadest possible audience. Cable companies including Time Warner Inc. say it belongs on a sports package, or tier, where its audience would include only those fans willing to pay extra. I am a huge fan of the NFL and would certainly subscribe in a second. Much like the issues with net neutrality, the problem is that we're not dealing with a perfect market. If Time Warner doesn't offer me the ability...
  • Licensing the Office 2007 UI - what is Microsoft's IP strategy?

    Jensen Harris announced that the Office 2007 Ribbon UI can be licensed . For the last year or so, one of the questions I've been asked again and again has been: "Can I use the new Office user interface in my own product?" I have to be honest - I'm a bit baffled at this whole thing. Note, they are not providing any common controls for the Ribbon. Rather, they are "licensing ... intellectual property rights in the UI (which cover both design and functionality) and offering a comprehensive Design Guidelines document that is a roadmap for developers implementing the UI." The license is free as long as you follow the guidelines, and is intended "[f]or those that want to build their own UI that takes advantage of our design guidelines." The reason, as Jensen describes, is that "the new Office user interface was a huge investment by Microsoft and the resulting intellectual property belongs to Microsoft." The next question, of course, are what rights does Microsoft actually have with the Ribbon...
  • Gartner sends a cease and desist to remove a link

    Scoble passes along that James Governor, an analyst for RedMonk, received a C&D from Gartner for a link . Wow. I obviously haven't seen the letter, but I'm trying to imagine what possible legal recourse they have to linking to a publicly visible URL. Obviously there's no copyright infringement and there are standards you have to adhere to protect something as a trade secret. (Hint: putting something on a publicly visible server is not enough). Oh, and someone should tell Gartner that you can "redact" all the links you want but the Internet is forever . Here's the link - maybe I'll get my first C&D too. This is even worse than C&D'ing someone who is trying to help you . Tags: Gartner , RedMonk , CeaseAndDesist , Stupidity
  • Do the record companies WANT to go out of business?

    Furd brings us the latest incredibly stupid move by a record company. EMI targets the ‘mix-tape’ with ’secure CD’ : UK record label EMI announced yesterday it plans to introduce anti-piracy technology to its CDs that will restrict consumers’ ability to burn tracks to blank CDs. The technology, from DRM solutions firm Macrovision, will allow CD owners to copy only three full copies of a CD’s songs, and the burned discs themselves cannot be copied. […] The technology also prevents CDs from being transferred to an iPod. (Emphasis my own). I really, really don't get it. It's obvious they don't either. I'll say it again : People are willing to PAY for your music, even if it's of questionable legality , but they want to feel like they're getting value. Perhaps most importantly, they want the right to choose how to consume it. Putting DRM that prevents them from putting it on their iPod, which in many cases is why they bought the CD in the first place, will lead to a few possible results, none...
  • A quick rant on H1-B Visas

    On a related note, I agree with Faisal's criticism of Wally's H1-B rant . I don't purport to be an expert here (quite the opposite), but we need to remember that outsourcing is different than the work visa issue. In the former, work is exported from the country because those in places like India or Brazil are willing to work for less. On the contrary, "insourcing" entails bringing workers into the country. These workers will make the same as you (if not more, because they are presumably "specialists"), pay taxes like you, and spend money in our economy like you. Indeed, this is not done because it is cheaper - in fact, the immigration hurdles actually make it more expensive . Price is not the driving factor, but rather quality - companies are willing to pay more because they feel they are getting quality they couldn't get otherwise. In other words, it's more analogous to importing an expensive foreign car not otherwise sold here - it costs more but there is no reasonable substitute. (Note...
  • Absurd Legal Fees?

    Microsoft gets a bill for $258M for legal fees. Read more here . I haven't seen anyone discuss this on the “blawgs” yet, but I am interested to hear what they say. Sure seems a bit excessive to me... What gets me most is the $1,000 an hour for “administrative work” (which I presume means a paralegal, etc). I know paralegals at some of the bigger firms here in NYC bill out at something like $100-$200 an hour. Anyone read The King of Torts ? :)