Andrew Orlowski

Collected Journalism

Tag: slacktivism

  • Copyright and the psychology of victimhood

    Copyright and the psychology of victimhood

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    Andrew Orlowski

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    Of course, there’s real oppression, then there’s having to pay for music you want to keep. You can listen to almost anything for free, anyway. Your reporter’s view is that file-sharing is a real joy – that should be legally available. The music industry should concentrate on innovation, and delighting the substantial majority of us…

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  • EU wants to erect opt-in hurdle for creators

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    Andrew Orlowski

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    A potentially incendiary EU report released today recommends making changes to the Berne Convention – and creating several new layers of bureaucracy in order to deal with the digitisation of cultural stuff. Creators would have to “opt-in” to a new database before getting their rights, which have historically been guaranteed by Berne signatories since 1886.…

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  • Nyah! Google is the Kevin the Teenager

    Nyah! Google is the Kevin the Teenager

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    Andrew Orlowski

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    “Nyah” For years, Google has been the Stroppy Teenager Kevin when it comes to copyright – full of attitude, and refusing to tidy up the bedroom. But do yesterday’s concessions make any difference? No.… Read More

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  • Hollywood ruling sends piracy chill through Google

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    Andrew Orlowski

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    “Why is it so hard to make the decision not to enter into business partnerships with sites whose business model is obvious infringement of the works of U.S. creators?” Hollywood is going after advertising companies who help fund pirate websites, and has now won a landmark victory.… Read More

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  • Web politics: The honeymoon is over

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    Andrew Orlowski

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    Parallel moves in Canada and the US may signal the end of the honeymoon for web-based political campaigning – or change it beyond recognition. Politicians are becoming increasingly familiar with sudden squalls of email filling up their inboxes, and policy makers with responses to public consultations arriving via a web intermediary. But not surprisingly many…

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  • How the photographers won, while digital rights failed

    How the photographers won, while digital rights failed

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    Andrew Orlowski

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    How did the music business end up with a triumph with the new Digital Economy Act? How did photographers, whose resources were one laptop and some old fashioned persuasion, carry an unlikely and famous victory? How did the digital rights campaigners fail so badly? Back in January, a senior music business figure explained to me…

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