Consumed Links - February 23, 2011

Another round-up of things from across the web....


Here's a great video clip of Rob Zombie performing at the Brixton Academy -- metalunderground


How do singles attract music fans? If you have ever wondered about this, check out a pretty decent article over at The Daily Telegraph. 


Recently, 164 drug addicts broke out of rehab -- eurthisnthat


Meanwhile.... the Vietnamese government is seeing to ban online access games --  ign


Are you a fan of the show 'Futurama'? Here are some interesting facts about the characters... -- mental_floss


And lastly, for now....


Italian producers Giacomo Godi & Emiliano Nencioni have sampled the club classic, "The Sound" and  Kevin Saunderson is hitting back. -- side-line

From Around The Web -- Consumed Links

Here is another run-down of a few things I have come across around the web.


XLR8R - Check out this excellent remix of Magick Mountain "One For My Ego" by Holy Other.


Reuters - Yahoo! is set to lay off more than 600 staffers. 


Wired - The US Supreme Court has ruled against Costco and the 'First Sale' Copryright Doctrine.


Oddee --- Check out some of the best misspelled billboards. 


ars - A review of Mario All-Stars 25th Anniversary. Did they really miss out on a bigger opportunity?


Asylum - Ever see a Bison in a car?


Techdirt - A Cypress Hill back-up singer is suing Rockstar Games and Take Two Interactive for allegedly modeling a character in a game after him and never paying. 


And finally, for now....


Fact - DJ Premier is said to be putting together a new Gang Starr album as well as a dvd. 

Consumed Links - October 20, 2010

Here we go again with a few things that you may not have seen.....




A woman finds that a hotel worker has been wearing her panties.... READ MORE




Forty Countries agree?   From The Wrap: "A three-year-long behind battle over how far the U.S. and other countries should go in using trade agreements to protect against piracy and counterfeiting ended Monday as the text of a proposed Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement was released by negotiators for 40 countries." READ MORE




Check out  10 Fascinating and Unexpected Origins of Words (via ListVerse)




Now, this is something I had been saying for some time now.... (from Huffington Post) 
Why Companies Should Insist That Employees Take Naps. 




And finally, for now... Why Music Sounds Lousy In 2010....   

Recommended - Rip! A Remix Manifesto

If you haven't seen it by now, here it is. The somewhat controversial doc that features remix/mash-up artist Girl Talk. It brings up some great points and information on samples, how they are/can be used, and much more. Enjoy! Also, don't forget to check out the previous recommendation, "Before The Music Dies."



There is also a pretty good article out there right now about clearing samples... "Clearing Samples."

Things From Around The Web...........

Here's a few things in the news that may have been overlooked lately....



An Anti-Piracy group were fined recently for bad faith actions --- It is nice to see that in some countries there is still a voice of reason. (techdirt)



A couple gets arrested in Pennsylvania.... for not tipping? (telegraph)



Butchered Man Used For ..... (sun)



Mickey v. Donald.... no, really... Mickey Mouse is suing Donald Duck (thr)



And finally for now.....



Imagine finding out your school principal was caught out there drunk in a dress... (smokinggun)

U.K. Govt Confirms Digital Legislation

How messed up is this?? Billboard is reporting that the U.K. has confirmed that it is introduce the Digital Economy Bill, which is to include a three-strikes deal that will cause to have one have their internet service suspended.... See the link below.


U.K. Govt Confirms Digital Legislation

A License To Sing At Work????

Imagine this: You are at work listening to the radio. Your boss gets notified that if you have a radio playing that it cannot be within earshot of the customers of the store. The boss takes away the radio. You are now working in silence. So you sing to yourself to make yourself happy. You get a notice that you cannot sing at work without a performance license. You are also informed that if you continue you will be fined a hefty amount.

The BBC recently posted the story of 56-year-old Sandra Burt, a shop assistant. Please click the link to read the story and let me know what you think. What if this was over here in America?

I’m glad they apologized but still…. it should have never been.

Apology for singing shop worker

UMG vs. EFF

In May 2007 Universal Music Group sued a Los Angeles-based trader on eBay. Troy Augusto, who runs the business called "Roast Beast Music Collectibles", makes a living selling rare albums he bought at second-hand record stores.

UMG is suing Augusto for copyright infringement. They are saying that some of the items he offered for sale online were promotional copies and were not authorized for sale to the public.

Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a digital rights lobby group, is taking on the case on Augusto's behalf and is counter-suing Universal.

In regards to promotional copies, for quite some time record companies have maintained that they own these items and may ask for them to be returned at any time.

Due to the promo items that were contained in the eBay auctions from Mr Augusto, this is the argument that is close to being tested in court.

UMG's lawyers allege "Augusto's unauthorized distribution of the UMG promo CDs violated UMG's exclusive right to distribute its copyrighted works" in legal documents filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California.

This is a battle that will possibly shake things up for a bit.

An Article of Interest.....

Thomas Davies has done a superb job on this article. The article discusses the feel of the recent gathering at the Capitol in protest to the US government "clamp down electronica music and its club scene." The issue? The RAVE Act. I encourage you to read it.....what are your thoughts?
Mi2N.com article

I think that it is about misinformation that our elders may have...but then, there are those that should take some responsibility.

To read more....check out the wikipedia entry: RAVE Act

Also, do some research....there are many articles out there discussing this issue.

McCain Lawyers Seek Dismissal

In a previous article I mentioned how there were many artists upset with the use of their music by the Republican Party. (here)

Well, lawyers for the McCain campaign are stating that they had nothing to do with a 120-second-long commercial that had a snippet of "Running on Empty" by Jackson Browne and that it was the ones at fault are the Republican Party of Ohio.

It is also being stated in documents in response to Mr. Browne that the usage was fair because it was not being used for profit but as part of politics..... TMZ has the docs..... (here)

Professor Fires Back At Song-Swapping Lawsuits

A Harvard Law School professor has launched a constitutional assault against a federal copyright law at the heart of the industry's aggressive strategy, which has wrung payments from thousands of song-swappers since 2003.

A great read....check it out here. Professor fires back at song-swapping lawsuits

Enjoy! And good luck to Prof. Charles Nesson

Who Will Be The Copyright Czar?

I read an article recently discussing possible picks for President-elect Obama for the position of Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator.

From the article: "Whoever Obama appoints can expect scrutiny from the content and technology industries. While ostensibly a coordinating position, the copyright czar job could easily expand to include advising the president." This will be a very important topic for the music industry and will effect many. This position was presented when President Bush signed the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property (PRO-IP) Act in September.

For More Information please check out the following stories:
Will Obama's Copyright Czar Help Save The Music?
President Bush Approves 'Copyright Czar' Bill
Bush’s New Copyright Czar Is Going To Do About As Much Good As His Drug Czar

UK Blogger To Appear In Court

35 year old civil servant Darryn Walker is accused of violating England's Obscene Publications Act by blogging about the fictional rape and murder of the pop group Girls Aloud.

He is accused of writing a violent, 12-page story about the kidnapping, mutilation, rape and murder of the female pop group titled "Girls (Scream) Aloud" and posting it on a fantasy pornography Web site. Walker has been granted unconditional bail until the trial.

The Obscene Publications Act is 50 years old and this case is considered the first real test since porn has become widely available.

Walker has already appeared in Newcastle Crown Court since his arrest by Scotland Yard's Obscene Publications Unit last February, but did not enter a plea in the case.

Trial is set to begin March 16, 2009.

Useless Fact Of The Week

In Saudi Arabia, it is reported, that a woman may divorce her husband if he does not keep her supplied with coffee.

Recording Industry vs. The People

This is a really important read for all of those who need to know what's up with the RIAA lawsuits.

Link here:
Recording Industry vs. The People

The Plymouth Two

In a club setting...no matter what ways the owners,promoters,etc take to crack down....the drugs and the dealers will find a way to get through. Should these guys be in jail???

Please read the very imformative MixMag article and you decide.

From the site:
DJ, promoter and father Tom Costelloe has been sentenced to five years in jail. His crime? Operating a club where people were taking drugs. Even the judge admitted that Tom was not involved in drug dealing in any way....

California Governor Vetoes 'Donda West Bill.'

I don't live in California....but I must wonder....what bills did get passed? What bills were a great priority to Arnold?

As far as Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is concerned the "Donda West Bill" is not one of them. "This bill does not meet that standard, and I cannot sign it at this time," read the veto message, one of dozens Schwarzenegger sent.

The cosmetic-surgery bill, AB 2968,would have required people to undergo a physical examination, give a complete medical history and get a doctor's clearance before undergoing plastic surgery.
According to the LA Times the bill received nearly unanimous support in the legislature.

The bill was prompted by the November 2007 death of Kanye West's mother, Dr. Donda West, who died a day after undergoing a breast reduction and liposuction surgery.

U.K. Gov. Gives Detail Into Surveillance Plan

Out-Law.com is reporting that the Government has delayed legislation that would create a central database of every phone call, every email, and web session made in the United Kingdom until next year following consult.

This plan would create new legislation that would make the recording of the fact of communication (not the content) mandatory. Sources have told reporters that one option would be to create a single, Government-operated database of records. There would be consultation on these measures prior to passing the law.

Read the full article here.

President Signs PRO IP Act Into Law

Publishers and songwriters have applauded the President for signing into law S. 3325, the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act (PRO-IP Act) of 2008.

This law will ensure America's intellectual property rights are better enforced on a global scale. Also,convicted counterfeiters will now be subject to increased fines and the forfeiture of their property.

The White House yesterday released a statement which reads in part, "In recent years, counterfeiting has grown rapidly. Counterfeiting costs America hundreds of billions of dollars a year and has harmful effects throughout the economy. Fake products can expose consumers to serious health and safety risks. Government loses out on tax revenues and is forced to divert law enforcement resources. Terrorist networks use counterfeit sales to finance their operations."

The size of government just got bigger, with the creation of one more office.The new law will create the office of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC). Despite its' name it is noted that the office "will be explicitly separated from responsibility for or direction of any law enforcement agency that carries out IP law", according to the law's final language.

The White House's statement did not give mention of the IPEC office, which may mean that it could remain vacant in the final months of the Bush Administration.

For further reading on the topic please go to:

President signs controversial IP enforcement act into law

Bush signs RIAA-backed intellectual-property law