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TOP STORIES FOR FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2004 Publishers Sue Seller of Online Course Packs FCC Addresses Rules on Internet Delivery GAO Criticizes CAPPS II IBM and Cisco to Partner on Security Improvements PUBLISHERS SUE SELLER OF ONLINE COURSE PACKS Six academic publishers have filed a lawsuit against two copy shops in Austin, Tex., for illegally distributing copyrighted coursepack material online. The two shops, located near the University of Texas, are charged with including copyrighted content in an online coursepack service called "NetPacks." Although the fair use doctrine of copyright law allows for academic use of copyrighted material, businesses that produce coursepacks for a profit are required to obtain permission from copyright holders and often pay copyright fees as well. The defendants in the case are accused of not obtaining proper permissions and of misleading the public by saying that the fees do not apply. Such lawsuits have been used in the past against producers of printed coursepacks, but this case is believed to be one of the first that targets the online distribution of copyrighted material. Chronicle of Higher Education, 12 February 2004 (sub. req'd) http://chronicle.com/prm/daily/2004/02/2004021203n.htm FCC ADDRESSES RULES ON INTERNET DELIVERY The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) this week sent a strong message to developers of Internet technologies that the commission favors a light hand in regulating developing technologies. The FCC voted to allow utility companies to offer broadband Internet service through power lines. A number of companies are working on trials of such technology, which could allow consumers high-speed access through existing electrical outlets in homes. In a separate rule making, the commission voted to allow voice over Internet protocol phone service to function outside the regulations that apply to other phone carriers. Commissioners supporting the decisions said a deregulatory environment can better serve consumer interests and bring new technologies to consumers sooner. Michael J. Copps, the dissenting commissioner, cautioned that moving forward is risky in the absence of a full understanding of legal and technical problems. New York Times, 13 February 2004 (registration req'd) http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/13/technology/13net.html GAO CRITICIZES CAPPS II A new report from the General Accounting Office (GAO) is highly critical of the government's Computer Assisted Passenger Profiling System II (CAPPS II) for being flawed and behind schedule. CAPPS II is a federal program to screen airline passengers' personal information, including credit reports and other records, to identify likely terrorists. According to the GAO, the system, which was supposed to be completed by November 2003, has not been adequately tested because of a lack of passenger data submitted by airlines. The report also noted that concerns remain over how passenger data will be handled to avoid misuse of personal information. Tom Blank of the Department of Homeland Security agreed with much that was included in the GAO's report but said, "[W]e're encouraged about the fact that we're taking our time to get this right." Wired News, 12 February 2004 http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,62270,00.html IBM AND CISCO TO PARTNER ON SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS IBM and Cisco Systems this week announced a partnership to build security into their products, reflecting a growing awareness among technology companies that security applications work better when they are integrated into basic design rather than added on to otherwise completed products. The new partnership means that various hardware and software products from the two companies will be able to communicate, lowering the chance for security weaknesses in networks. The IBM-Cisco deal echoes the recent acquisition of network security firm NetScreen Technologies by Juniper Networks. Chris Christiansen, analyst with IDC, said that although he is skeptical of such partnerships because "so many of them have failed in the past," he is more optimistic about the IBM-Cisco deal. The companies have worked together previously, said Christiansen, and have little product overlap. San Jose Mercury News, 13 February 2004 http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/7946744.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 "EQ" and "EDUCAUSE Review," books, and other materials dealing with the impacts and implications of information technology in higher education. 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