News

A video to our community: Big news about our future!

We want to share some big news about the future of New Media Rights and make a few simple requests of you.

Click here to watch the announcement
Click here to watch the video!

We recently finalized a partnership with California Western School of Law.  We’ll still be providing the same quality one-to-one legal services and educational guides for internet users and independent creators, but now, as part of the California Western community, we’ll be able to expand what we do more than ever before.

We’re really excited to be part of the California Western community. The broader internet community will benefit from the increased availability of free and reduced fee legal services, and Cal Western Students will get real-world experience in internet and media law.

We are still completely independently funded, so please support us in starting this partnership off on the right foot

Click here to donate now!

Submitted by New Media Rights last modified Tue, 03/08/2016 - 9:04am

Join New Media Rights in signing the Declaration of Internet Freedom to uphold basic rights in the digital world

New Media RIghts has joined a broad, international coalition of civil society groups calling on elected officials to sign the new Declaration of Internet Freedom and uphold basic rights in the digital world.

We encourage you to read and sign the Declaration, and encourage your elected officials to sign it as well.

 
Submitted by New Media Rights last modified Thu, 07/05/2012 - 7:19pm

New Media Rights files comments with the Federal Communications Commission on wireless service interruptions

New Media Rights filed comments April 30 with the Federal Communications Commission regarding intentional interruption of wireless services. This follows the August 2011 incident where BART chose to interrupt wireless services at its stations. This incident raised serious concerns regarding the authority of governmental agencies and other non-carrier third parties to disrupt wireless networks. The FCC opened a regulatory proceeding to review the issue.

Submitted by New Media Rights last modified Tue, 05/01/2012 - 5:47pm

Internet rights battles don't end with SOPA - February 2012 newsletter

What an amazing time for Internet rights!  Millions of internet users and creators like you put a stop to the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA) in Congress.  These laws threatened free speech and innovation by allowing blocking of entire web services due to infringing content posted on a single webpage. 

You have the power to shape the future of a free and open internet, but Internet rights battles don't end with SOPA & PIPA. Wireless carriers, large media companies, and other gatekeepers continue to find ways to artificially limit your ability to access services and share content online. Our February newsletter explains how NMR has been working tirelessly on behalf of internet users, creators and consumers in the new year.

Read the entire newsletter!

Submitted by New Media Rights last modified Fri, 03/09/2012 - 11:38am

New Media Rights files comments at the Copyright Office supporting the right to jailbreak mobile devices and lawfully reuse video content

New Media Rights has filed comments with the Copyright Office supporting three exemptions to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act’s anti-circumvention provisions.  Similar to our 2009 comment to the Copyright Office, this comment supports the right to bypass anti-circumvention technologies to a) allow individuals to take control of the apps and services they use on their mobile devices, and b) allow creators and internet users to reuse video content for fair use purposes.  Our 2012 comment also supports recommendations that these exemptions should be extended beyond their 2009 counterparts in two very important ways – we argue that jailbreaking should also apply to tablets and that the bypassing of anti-circumvention technology should include non-DVD sources.

The exemptions provide an important safety valve for otherwise lawful behavior by consumers and creators.

Submitted by New Media Rights last modified Mon, 02/09/2015 - 11:05am

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

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 Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA).

Read the letter in its entirety

Submitted by New Media Rights last modified Mon, 02/06/2012 - 12:00pm

Net Neutrality Rules: Illogical logic governs what ISPs can block

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.

Submitted by Dan Terzian last modified Sat, 10/22/2011 - 10:23am

NMR tracks two upcoming trends in copyright reform

copyright graffiti - two dangerous trends in copyright reform

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.

Submitted by New Media Rights last modified Mon, 11/14/2011 - 9:35pm

US Supreme Court Declines to hear ASCAP Appeal

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.

Submitted by chrissie himes last modified Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:14am

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