Updates and Other Stuff

Haven't done a written blog in a while, now is a good a time as any to catch up. As regular readers of this blog and of the show know I am getting into my busy time at my job and won't have as much time to work on show stuff and will be doing pretty good at getting online to do a show at all. So if anyone out there is trying to reach me online and I don't get back to you right away it's nothing personal I'm just super extraordinary busy right now and will be until probably mid November.

I do have every intent of trying to continue the show, although already I do think I will need to scratch the October 24th and October 31st shows on account of the fact that I don't even expect to be home to conduct them. This is why I haven't been using the blogtv scheduler. Just a heads up.

Now on to better news....

http://recordingindustryvspeople.blogspot.com/2010/10/irish-isp-wins-major-legal-victory.html

Irish ISP wins major legal victory against record labels

Interesting news from TechEYE.net:

Irish ISP wins major legal victory against record labels
No legal precedent in Irish law for disconnection

UPC, one of Ireland's largest internet service providers, has won a major legal victory against four of the world's most powerful record companies over the much-contested issue of online music piracy.

The High Court in Dublin ruled today that there was no precedent in Irish law to force ISPs to identify and disconnect people accused of illegally downloading copyrighted files, which means that despite the record companies requests, UPC will not be required to take part in the three strikes programme that had been on the table for some time now.

Warner Music, Universal Music, Sony BMG and EMI Records wanted a three strikes system that would including an informal warning at the first stage, designed to highlight the problem, a stern written warning at the second stage, threatening disconnection, and then a disconnection for seven days at the third stage. If a user continues to break the rules disconnection for a full year may follow.

Nice to see that at least in some part of the world Due Process still applies along with a dose of common sense. In my opinion disconecting internet subscribers because the RIAA says they violated copyright and piracy laws without giving the alleged user a chance to either plead their case or the record labels having to show proof beyond a reasonable doubt is wrong and unconstitutional.