“In 2008, nations worldwide plundered their common wealth in an effort to bail out the prevailing economic order. It is a stark reminder that there could be other ways of doing things. It is an opportune time to reexamine the concept of the commons, perhaps as a parallel, if not an alternative to private property oriented social, political and legal systems.” –The Seattle Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild.

On March 13, 2009, Seattle University School of Law will be hosting “Law of the Commons” a full-day seminar where academic and public policy groups will present theories and ideas regarding communal IP ownership models–or “The Commons“ in old English speak.  It promising to be an interesting seminar. 

I think the seminar sounds fascinating and I plan to attend.  However, I would love to see a round table discussion that would reflect the entire community.  Not a single artist, musician, author, software designer, or other “maker” will be involved in the seminar.  It would be great if the sponsors would consider an additional “Putting it all together” or “What it all means” session in the seminar.  Then again, that could be seminar two.  “Framework for Balancing the Commons.” 

Also absent are private attorneys who represent authors, artists and content makers.  I think I know why given the fact that one session is titled:  ”Plunder:  Lawyers against the commons.”  

I’m looking forward to it.  See you all there.

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New York Copyright litigator, Oscar Michelen, takes on Getty’s images at extortionletterinfo.com. 

According to it’s authors, the website is “being provided as a public service to gather and expose information on “The Getty Images Settlement Demand Letter,” which Mr. Michelen considers “legalized extortion.”   He further characterizes ”The Letter” as one that “bullies and preys upon the legal ignorance of the recipients of the Letter.”  The Letter may be legal, but it is ethically and morally questionable.

The website’s goal is to assemble the stories of “the other side.” Those people who have received The Letter from Getty Images.

Click here to visit the website.  Read below for some of it’s highlights.

What is “The Getty Images Settlement Demand Letter”?

The Getty Images Settlement Demand Letter is an attempt by Getty Images to deliberately intimidate and bully recipients of the letter to pay an extravagant “settlement fee” in exchange for Getty Images agreement to NOT sue the recipient. Recipients of this letter have allegedly infringed on the alleged copyrights owned by Getty Images.

What the Letter Tells the Recipient

• It informs the recipient that they have allegedly infringed on the copyright(s) of Getty Images.
• It provides a greyscale photocopy of the original image and a screen capture of alleged misuse of the image.
• It asks the recipient to provide proof of a valid license for use of this image such as a sales order or invoice.
• If no proof exists or can be provided, the recipient is asked to “cease and desist” use of the image (while implying that ceasing use will not protect the user from liability.) 
• And finally, the letter states that if the recipient wishes to continue using the image, to contact Getty Images’ License Compliance team.

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The Washington State Bar Association has gone creative in an attempt to engage Washington residents with the legal system, new media, and creating user-generated content for YouTube.

The Mission:  “Create a three-minute-or-less video that captures your vision of justice for all as citizens of Washington state, and win one of two $1,000 prizes!”

The Criteria:  Winners will be chosen in two categories: one winner as selected by a panel of judges, and one People’s Choice winner chosen from among all entries. Individuals, groups or classrooms may enter, and be eligible for either award. One entry may be awarded both awards. 

Contestants must post their video to www.youtube.com/group/WashingtonStateBar by 5:00 p.m. on June 15, 2009.

View complete details here.

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As the Library of Congress considers new exceptions to the anti-circumvention rules that legally protect the DRM systems that are used by many companies to lock up digital content of all kinds, it is helpful to consider if those protections really accomplish what they were intended to.

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