A proposal by the Prince George's County Board of Education to copyright work created by staff and students for school could mean that a picture drawn by a first-grader, a lesson plan developed by a teacher or an app created by a teen would belong to the school system, not the individual.
The measure has some worried that by the system claiming ownership to the work of others, creativity could be stifled and there would be little incentive to come up with innovative ways to educate students. Some have questioned the legality of the proposal as it relates to students.
Citizens took to the digital streets today to celebrate what has become known as "Internet Freedom Day." The new holiday celebrates users' ability to speak, share, create, and innovate. It commemorates the Internet blackout of Jan. 18, 2012, in which tens of thousands of websites participated, to protest the draconian copyright bills SOPA and PIPA.
The website of a record label which offers completely free music downloads has been taken down by its host for copyright infringement, even though it only offers its own music. Quote Unquote Records calls itself "The First Ever Donation Based Record Label", but is currently homeless after its host pulled the plug.
For those in last night's Copyright Law class, here's a NYT article akin to what we spoke about last night regarding copyrighting/patenting food. This is a couple of years old, but . . .
I can see this definitely being a topic in Eric's class. I just wonder why AP waited so long to claim copyright infringement? This image has become so popular and a part of history, that is probably what is prompting this law suit. I want to see the outcome of this as well - should be interesting!
With the Google Book Settlement all but dead, another sign that the market is moving on: This morning, the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) confirmed that Michael Healy, the former executive director (designate) for the Google Settlement's proposed Book Rights Registry, is joining CCC and will start in October in the newly created post of executive director, Author and Publisher Relations.