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Category: Copyright
Head of copyright committee wants to deny EU creators the right to share
by Timothy Vollmer CopyrightOver the last few years the European Union has been working on revising its rules on copyright. But the latest proposal from the head of the copyright committee would deny creators the right to refuse remuneration — the right to share a work without getting paid — which could undermine the use of CC licenses…
CC Will Host 2018-19 Ford-Mozilla Open Web Fellow
by Timothy Vollmer CopyrightOn Monday, Mozilla announced that Creative Commons is among 11 organizations selected to host the 2018-2019 Ford-Mozilla Open Web Fellows. We’re thrilled to be chosen as one of the host organisations alongside the following excellent organizations: Consumer Reports, Tor, Witness, Code for Science & Society, Bits of Freedom, Derechos Digitales, Astraea Foundation, Wikimedia Foundation, Privacy…
Tell the Canadian government to ignore Bell’s terrible idea to block websites
by Timothy Vollmer CopyrightEarlier this month Bell and a group of Canadian telecommunications and media companies submitted a proposal that asks the Canadian government to identify websites engaged in content piracy and compel internet service providers to block access to those sites. Specifically, the proposal asks the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to set up an “Internet…
Time is running out for net neutrality
by Timothy Vollmer CopyrightAct now and support the #OneMoreVote campaign to trigger Senate review of the FCC repeal In December 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted along party lines to repeal the 2015 Open Internet Order that ensured net neutrality in the United States. Without net neutrality, broadband providers like Comcast and Verizon will have free reign…
Secret negotiations, empty promises: Copyright policymaking needs sunlight for better outcomes
by Timothy Vollmer CopyrightWe’re taking part in Copyright Week, a series of actions and discussions supporting key principles that should guide copyright policy. Every day this week, various groups are taking on different elements of the law, and addressing what’s at stake, and what we need to do to make sure that copyright promotes creativity and innovation. Today’s…
5 Awesome Organisations Working to Protect and Expand the Public Domain
by Timothy Vollmer CopyrightWe’re taking part in Copyright Week, a series of actions and discussions supporting key principles that should guide copyright policy. Every day this week, various groups are taking on different elements of the law, and addressing what’s at stake, and what we need to do to make sure that copyright promotes creativity and innovation. Today’s…
Is Copyright Term Extension Finally Done?
by Timothy Vollmer CopyrightWe’re taking part in Copyright Week, a series of actions and discussions supporting key principles that should guide copyright policy. Every day this week, various groups are taking on different elements of the law, and addressing what’s at stake, and what we need to do to make sure that copyright promotes creativity and innovation. Today’s…
The battle for the net continues after FCC erases net neutrality rules
by Timothy Vollmer CopyrightAn open internet is crucial for all creators, thinkers, and makers on the web As expected, yesterday the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted along party lines to repeal the 2015 Open Internet Order that ensured net neutrality in the United States. Without net neutrality, broadband providers like Comcast and Verizon will have free reign to…
One week left to save the Internet
by Timothy Vollmer CopyrightAct now to stop the FCC from rolling back fundamental protections for the open internet! Net neutrality is under attack…again. On the day before the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai released a draft plan that would repeal net neutrality in the United States. Net neutrality is the principle that internet…
Trade negotiators: follow these rules to protect creativity, access to knowledge, users’ rights
by Timothy Vollmer CopyrightToday over 70 international copyright experts released the Washington Principles on Copyright Balance in Trade Agreements. The document, endorsed by Creative Commons, urges trade negotiators “to support policies like fair use, safe harbor provisions, and other exceptions and limitations that permit and encourage access to knowledge, flourishing creativity, and innovation.” The principles were collaboratively drafted…