LemurZone News

Friday, August 09, 2002

what's hot what's not

This is a Proposed Consent Decree. The FTC is allowing the public 30 days to comment. (snail Mail Only as of this posting)

The Commission vote to accept the proposed consent order and place a copy on the public record was 5-0. The FTC is accepting public comment on the proposed order for 30 days, until September 9, 2002, after which the Commission will determine whether to make it final. Comments should be sent to: FTC, Office of the Secretary, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580.

They also provide this page; Analysis of Proposed Consent Order to Aid Public Comment

This is a semi-victory at best. Microsoft is a moving target at the most pessimistic viewpoint. This only covers the Passport service. Next week MS will come out with some new toy with similar goals, the same or worse implementation, and will not be subject to this Consent Decree.

As for the Independant third party auditor, My vote would go to Steve Gibson, of Zone Alarm fame, or to the Cult of the Dead Cow creators of the Back Orifice Program.

Microsoft Settles FTC Charges Alleging False Security and Privacy Promises
read here - go there
Source: FTC

Not content to destroy Internet Radio, they have discovered that the

"the Librarian improperly threw out 140 licensing deals that the record companies and RIAA signed with webcasters and other similiar companies".

Whoops! Then they blame Yahoo

"The Librarian of Congress was duped by Yahoo!’s self-serving testimony in the CARP. Yahoo testified in the CARP for one reason, and one reason only -- to lower the rate that would be paid for Internet-only transmissions, Yahoo!’s principal business."

Then they claim that their Royalty Rate Structure was fair

"The Librarian ignored 25 separate licensing agreements the RIAA had previously agreed to and submitted as evidence, as well as 115 similar deals signed by the individual record companies. If these agreements -- all of which represented rates born by a fair market -- were appropriately considered by the Librarian, the final royalty rate would have been significantly higher."

Fairness from an industry that currently controls artists with methods that rival slavery, has been found guilty of Anti Trust violations, created and still uses Payola to control who gets played, where and when, and calls their customers thieves.

Stop buying Commercial Music and supporting advertisers who are parties to these people. Until you cut off their money they will continue to hold music in an iron grip that will not open up the avenues of expression for artists, nor will you be blameless.

RIAA Announces Intent To Appeal Internet Radio Royalty Rates
read here - go there
Source: RIAA

Shelley Powers
Some folks can work with technology, some folks can write, very few can do both. Shelley does.

p i x e l v i e w - Shelley Powers
read here - go there