This Week In Techdirt History: February 18th – 24th
from the as-it-'twas dept
Five Years Ago
This week in 2019, the EU Commission decided to mock the public by insisting all the fears about the copyright directive were myths, even as lots of real people were showing up in real life to protest, and journalists were pointing out the problems with Article 11. Amidst this, we featured a long two-part interview with a European parliament member about the regulation of digital platforms. Back in the US, Richard Blumenthal was saying some weird stuff about FOSTA, and a high-profile defamation fight kicked off when Nick Sandmann sued the Washington Post. This was also the week that we announced the winners of our first public domain game jam (stay tuned for the winners of this year’s jam, coming very soon!)
Ten Years Ago
This week in 2014, while Ed Snowden’s lawyer was being interrogated at Heathrow airport, Snowden himself was elected as Glasgow University Rector and nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, and James Clapper was admitting they should have been more transparent about Section 215 surveillance. The DHS sent out a call for a national license plate database, then quickly reversed course. Meanwhile, the FCC outlined a timid, murky plan to maybe defend net neutrality, but even that weak sauce was enough to get Marsha Blackburn up in arms.
Fifteen Years Ago
This week in 2009, artists started intentionally infringing copyright to protest Damien Hirst bullying a teenager. Copyright lobbyists were once again demanding the US classify Canada as a piracy hotbed, prosecutors in the Pirate Bay trial dropped half the charges, and a new research paper showed how useless it is to require ISPs to be copyright cops. On the patent front, hoarding firms were discovering the ITC loophole and we saw yet another patent lawsuit over the iPhone, while a venture capitalist explained how patents can be a tax on innovation. And in California, a video game law was once again found unconstitutional.
Comments on “This Week In Techdirt History: February 18th – 24th”
Five Years Ago (2019):
The EU’s Copyright Directive sparked significant controversy, with critics fearing it would stifle online expression and sharing. Articles 11 and 13 (later renumbered as Articles 15 and 17) drew particular ire. People demonstrated on the streets, arguing that the directive threatened internet freedom. Meanwhile, in the U.S., FOSTA (Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act) raised concerns for its potential impact on free speech. The year also marked the first public domain game jam, celebrating creativity with works inspired by public domain material.
Ten Years Ago (2014):
Edward Snowden’s revelations continued to shake global politics, as he was recognized with various nominations and titles. His leaks about mass surveillance spurred discussions about transparency and privacy. The FCC’s tentative steps toward net neutrality brought public attention to internet governance. However, resistance emerged from figures like Marsha Blackburn, highlighting the contentiousness of the issue.
Fifteen Years Ago (2009):
Artists and creators protested copyright policies that favored established figures like Damien Hirst, underscoring the tension between original creators and powerful entities. The Pirate Bay trial spotlighted digital piracy issues, and copyright laws faced scrutiny for their efficacy and impact on innovation. Patent-related issues, especially around technology like the iPhone, reflected how intellectual property could either stifle or foster innovation. California’s unconstitutional video game law exemplified the ongoing debate around content regulation.