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TOP STORIES FOR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2002 Bill Introduced to Limit Webcasting Fees Apple Ends Windows Support for Music-Creation Program Complaints Surface about Biometric ID Systems AND Site Criticizes Scholars, Causes Backlash among Others University Says Student-Group Web Site Violates Patriot Act House Passes Bill with Expansion of Fair Use BILL INTRODUCED TO LIMIT WEBCASTING FEES Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, introduced a bill Thursday that would grant a six-month reprieve to Webcasters from paying royalties for online music. The royalties, which were established by the Librarian of Congress in June, have been the topic of heated debate between the recording industry and Webcasters, with neither side especially happy. The recording industry argued for higher fees, while many small Webcasters say the royalty rate established in June will force them out of business. Webcasters were pleased by Sensenbrenner's bill, which apparently is intended to allow a legal challenge to the fees to be finalized before they go into effect on October 20. IDG, 27 September 2002 http://www.idg.net/ic_952753_1794_9-10000.html APPLE ENDS WINDOWS SUPPORT FOR MUSIC-CREATION PROGRAM When Apple Computer bought eMagic this summer, the computer maker said it would end support for Windows versions of eMagic applications including Logic, one of the most popular music-creation programs. The move leaves 70,000 users of the PC version of Logic without support, and about 2,000 have signed an online petition protesting the change. Apple made similar changes with Shake, a visual-effects application developed by Nothing Real, which Apple bought earlier this year. Analysts said Apple's decision not to continue offering Windows versions of these applications is clear evidence of the company's desire to solidify its control of the music-creation and high-end graphics markets. Apple is offering users incentives to switch to Apple's version of the applications, but some observers doubt that many will switch, given their familiarity, not to mention ownership, of PC hardware and software. Wired News, 27 September 2002 http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,55333,00.html COMPLAINTS SURFACE ABOUT BIOMETRIC ID SYSTEMS House Majority Leader Dick Armey has voiced his opposition to the use of biometric identification systems in public places, such as facial-recognition programs that are sometimes used at sporting events. The technology constitutes a violation of his privacy, he says. Civil liberties groups including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) largely agree with Armey. An official from the ACLU said that developments in technology far outpace corresponding laws needed to protect citizens subject to that technology. Since last fall, support for such technology has grown because of concerns over national security. Critics argue that the technology has not proven its effectiveness and that we should not sacrifice our right to privacy in the pursuit of security. Washington Post, 25 September 2002 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61559-2002Sep24.html AND ***************************************************** SITE CRITICIZES SCHOLARS, CAUSES BACKLASH AMONG OTHERS A new Web site from the Middle East Forum names academics it says support anti-Semitic views. Close to 100 scholars who were not included on the list, however, have asked that their names be added, serving to protest what they see as the site's attempt to stifle academic freedom and the open exchange of ideas. The site originally named 8 professors and 14 universities that it said are ignoring the dangers of political Islam. Those named have been encouraged by the support from others in the academic community, including Jews and non-Jews. The list prompted Judith Butler at the University of California at Berkeley to write a response--subsequently used by a number of others--that says, in part, "I would be enormously honored to be counted among those who actively hold these positions and would like to be included in the list of those who are struggling for justice." Daniel Pipes, director of the Middle East Forum, said his group is not trying to limit academic discussion. "No one is interfering with their right to say anything they want," he said. New York Times, 27 September 2002 (registration req'd) http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/27/education/27COLL.html UNIVERSITY SAYS STUDENT-GROUP WEB SITE VIOLATES PATRIOT ACT The University of California at San Diego has sent a letter to a student group requesting that the group remove a link from its site to the FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia), a Columbian military group. According to the letter, the student group is in violation of the USA Patriot Act and university policy, which forbid providing "material support or resources" to a "foreign terrorist organization." The FARC is one of 34 organizations identified by the U.S. State Department as terrorist groups. An official from the university said a private citizen had contacted the school, protesting the link to the FARC site and pointing out its apparent illegality. The student group has refused to remove the link, and several civil liberties groups support them. A representative from the Electronic Frontier Foundation said the Web link to the FARC probably does not fit the criteria of the law, which, he said, is designed to prevent donations of money rather than free speech. Chronicle of Higher Education, 27 September 2002 http://chronicle.com/free/2002/09/2002092703t.htm HOUSE PASSES BILL WITH EXPANSION OF FAIR USE The House of Representatives passed an appropriations bill that includes language that would expand the fair use of copyrighted material in academic settings. The language was originally part of the Technology Education and Copyright Harmonization (TEACH) Act, which passed the Senate last year. Specifically, the bill would allow online-education instructors to use recordings of dramatic literary and musical works under fair-use provisions of copyright law. A conference committee from the House and the Senate will now decide if the copyright language remains in the appropriations bill, which must have President Bush's signature before it goes into effect. Chronicle of Higher Education, 27 September 2002 http://chronicle.com/free/2002/09/2002092701t.htm ***************************************************** EDUPAGE INFORMATION To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change your settings, visit http://www.educause.edu/pub/edupage/edupage.html Or, you can subscribe or unsubscribe by sending e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To SUBSCRIBE, in the body of the message type: SUBSCRIBE Edupage YourFirstName YourLastName To UNSUBSCRIBE, in the body of the message type: SIGNOFF Edupage If you have subscription problems, send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For past issues of Edupage or information about translations of Edupage into other languages, visit http://www.educause.edu/pub/edupage/edupage.html ***************************************************** OTHER EDUCAUSE PUBLICATIONS EDUCAUSE publishes periodicals, including "EDUCAUSE Quarterly" and "EDUCAUSE Review," books, and other materials dealing with the impacts and implications of information technology in higher education. 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