How many Verizon FIOS users are in violation of new AUP?

This is a bit off the normal video topics, but deserves some attention as we have the whole comment thing here for each article. Being a bit off-topic, it’s actually rather ironic, considering what follows…I’ll explain. It seems that Verizon has changed the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for FiOS users. And oddly, a good percentage of FiOS users are probably already in violation of the new AUP. Read on…

Your Rights as a Videographer and Photographer

I just read the account of amateur photographer Duane Kerzic, who was arrested for taking photos at the Amtrak Pennsylvania Station in New York just before Christmas. Ironically, Duane was taking photographs for a contest sponsored by Amtrak, entitled “Picture Our Train.” According to Duane’s side of the story, he was unlawfully ordered to delete his photos, and when he did not comply he was illegally arrested for trespassing. Whether or not Duane was in the right here, he makes some interesting points about why photographers (and by extension, videographers) should not be banned. Here’s what he has to say:

Should Politicians and VIPs get special DMCA exemptions?

John McCain’s campaign has experienced first hand how much the burden of fair-use proof lies on the shoulders of the general public in today’s post-Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) world. Several of their viral videos that included remixes of music and video clips were pulled by Youtube automated software for copyright claims under the DMCA. In most of these cases, the videos ARE allowed under Fair Use, but that requires complaining and getting in line to be re-reviewed. Not surprisingly, the campaign has written a formal letter to Youtube, requesting an exemption from the accepted procedure and specifically suggesting human review of uploads from politicians. This is the same campaign that has received several (legally-toothless) cease-and-desist letters from recording artists. As a side note, the cease letter from “Heart” was rather humorous (warning, NSFW language). But I digress. Anyway, CNET writer Christopher Soghoian takes issue with the McCain campaign approach to this issue, suggesting that unless politicians suffer with the masses, the incentive for change will never gain footing. Here’s an excerpt…

Page 1 of 1 pages