BRUCEB NEWS
Covid-19 Is Straining The Internet
Across the globe, hundreds of millions of people are using their Internet connection more intensely than they did just a few weeks ago. Usage ramped up so quickly that the infrastructure is being stretched past its limits. I don't have any tips. You don't have to do...
ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY DEMANDS CENSORSHIP RIGHTS ON WEB SURFING
The recording industry heavyweights - the usual gang, including Vivendi, Sony, Bertelsmann and Warner Bros - have now filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against a number of...
LEGISLATORS ASK ASHCROFT TO JAIL FILE SWAPPERS
Another strong indication that executives and legislators are actually becoming insane whenever copyright issues are discussed. Nineteen of the most senior members of Congress...
BIGGER HARD DRIVES AHEAD
Hard drive manufacturers see demand for bigger drives ahead when we start storing digital video on devices integrated into our entertainment centers. You can already buy 120Gb...
BLUBSTER
AudioGalaxy is gone, Kazaa is loaded with spyware, Morpheus is having legal problems. The new peer-to-peer file sharing network getting the most buzz is Blubster. I don't have...
TELEVISION LOCKDOWN IN PROGRESS
The FCC has proposed draft regulations on two issues: (1) Beginning July 1, 2004, all new televisions with 36” screens or larger must include digital receivers; in 2007, all new...
THE BATTLE BETWEEN HOLLYWOOD AND HIGH TECH
There is growing tension between the computer industry and the entertainment industry about how to handle copyright issues. It’s easy for me to imagine new business models for...
MORE FROM JANIS IAN
Janis Ian wrote a thoughtful followup to her original article about the record industry - insightful comments on the wrongheadedness of the industry's current approach to its...
PRINTER MANUFACTURER FUN
It should be fun to watch the printer market over the next six months or so. Dell wants to market printers under its own name, instead of reselling everybody else's printers -...
WINDOWS 2000 SERVICE PACK 3
Microsoft has released Service Pack 3 for Windows 2000, a huge collection of security updates and bug fixes. When I get it on CD, I’ll be talking to my clients about it. Everyone...
LORD OF THE RINGS DVD
The Fellowship of the Ring will be released on DVD in the next few days. But if you’re considering it, be careful! There’s going to be two versions released on DVD, and they’re...
CITIZENS’ OPEN DECLARATION AGAINST CORPORATE INJUSTICE
Harley Aulance, a reader of the Register, drafted a bill declaring war on the media giants threatening our freedoms. If they're going to declare war on us, it only seems fair to...
COPYRIGHT MARTIAL LAW
The entertainment industry has so far proven to be completely paralyzed by new consumer technology, unable or unwilling to come up with ways to do business that take changing...
THE END OF FREE E-MAIL
Microsoft and Yahoo are aggressively trying to push people to paid e-mail services by making it harder than ever to rely on free ones. Apple Computer is cutting free e-mail...
THE ALLEGED JPEG PATENT
Here’s more information about Forgent’s claim that it has a patent on the .JPEG file format (see below). It’s not the first time that a company has waited until some technology...
RECORDING INDUSTRY SEEKS IMMUNITY FOR HACKING OUR COMPUTERS
Congress is about to consider an entertainment industry proposal that would authorize copyright holders to disable your PC if you run a file sharing program. Later this week,...