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News

New Media Rights signs open letter sent to Congress regarding SOPA, PIPA, and internet freedom with 70 other groups

Submitted by New Media Rights on Mon, 02/06/2012 - 11:53

February 6, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Art Neill, Executive Director, New Media Rights, (619) 591-8870

On February 6, 2012, New Media Rights joined approximately 70 grass-roots groups, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, human rights groups, communities of color, and Internet companies in sending a letter asking Congress to stop its work on intellectual property issues in the wake of massive public protests against the Stop Online Piracyⁱ Act (SOPA) and Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA).

Read the letter in its entirety

Net Neutrality Rules: Illogical logic governs what ISPs can block

Submitted by Dan Terzian on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 15:06

Net Neutrality Illogical logic thumbnail

As we recently discussed, the FCC’s new Net Neutrality rules forbid Internet service providers (ISPs) from blocking access to certain materials. These rules make clear that “fixed broadband” ISPs (AKA cable and DSL Internet providers) cannot block access to lawful materials. But, illogically, whether they can block access to unlawful materials is not at all clear.

How we helped a local filmmaker & our guide for filesharing defendants

Submitted by New Media Rights on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 21:54

NMR tracks two upcoming trends in copyright reform

Submitted by New Media Rights on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 15:09

New Media Rights has been tracking recent trends in copyright legislation and enforcement. 2011 has already been filled with scores of individuals being sued in the Far Cry cases for filesharing and the rise of copyright trolls like Righthaven. Below are two more trends to watch that could weaken Internet user's rights.

US Supreme Court Declines to hear ASCAP Appeal

Submitted by chrissie himes on Wed, 10/05/2011 - 15:26

Supreme court thumbnail - denies ASCAP revidw

Earlier this week, the Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) relating to whether digital downloads should be treated as public performances or not. This means the ruling of the United States Court of Appeals for the 2nd District, which affirmed the District Court’s opinion, stands, and this serves as a victory for online music sites, but a blow to ASCAP which collects royalties for songwriters.

Patent reform moves in the right direction but there are still barriers for small inventors

Submitted by chrissie himes on Mon, 09/26/2011 - 12:19

Patent Reform - Image of Patent from 1927

President Barack Obama recently signed a patent reform bill as part of his job stimulus plan. The law attempts to remedy a wide range of problems preventing entrepreneurs from inventing and creating new jobs. We discuss these changes as well as a few of the new issues these changes may create.

NMR Testimonial: Maricar Camaya

Submitted by New Media Rights on Wed, 09/21/2011 - 15:38

New Media Rights' help is available to local San Diego filmmakers as well as media creators across the country. Maricar Camaya is a San Diego filmmaker interested in international gender and sexuality issues. Maricar briefly discusses how New Media Rights helped him:

NMR Testimonial: Dan Newman of Maplight

Submitted by New Media Rights on Tue, 09/20/2011 - 09:20

New Media Rights had the pleasure of working with another great non-profit. Daniel Newman is Co-Founder and Executive Director of MapLight, a nonpartisan nonprofit illuminating the connection between money and politics in unprecedented ways. Mr. Newman briefly discusses how New Media Rights helped Maplight.

New Media Rights files Reply Comments in the AT&T - T-mobile merger review at the California Public Utiltities Commission

Submitted by art neill on Tue, 08/30/2011 - 08:36

AT&T T-mobile merger

New Media Rights and its affiliates Utility Consumers' Action Network and Privacy Rights Clearinghouse filed Reply Comments to the California Public Utilities Commission investigation into the AT&T - T-mobile merger. After attending the innovation and consumer workshops, and reading a mountain of additional paperwork, we're more convinced than ever that the CPUC should recommend denial of the merger.

We talk about specific reasons why in our comments, and also suggest that in the event the Commission does choose to recommend to the FCCⁱ to approve with the merger, some significant conditions should be placed in California.

New Media Rights protects another blogger from censorship and DMCA abuse

Submitted by art neill on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 16:30

New Media Rights recently protected blogger Michael Petrelis' speech and commentary regarding another blogger who pretended to be a gay Syrian woman living in Damascus.

Mr. Petrelis is just one example of the hundreds of individuals who rely on New Media Rights daily. His story reminds us that we have the right to criticize and comment on the culture that surrounds us.

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