CopyNight Toronto: Meeting Tuesday the 23rd

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Dear CopyNight Toronto,
It's that time again! CopyNight is this week, and we'll be
discussing what to do about the coming election, among other
things. Should we go to townhalls and push the candidates on the
copyright pledge from the last election? Other thoughts?
Also, please RSVP to me (ren@trubble.com) if you think you might
come - that way I can make sure that we get an appropriately-sized
table. Here are the details:
Where: Victory Cafe
(the room on the north/left side as you walk in)
When: 7 P.M.
Host: Ren Bucholz
(416 300 5316 if you get lost!)
Hope this finds you well!
Ren Bucholz
CopyNight Toronto
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Dear CopyNighters,
School is back in session, the U.S. presidential debates are about
to start, and it's time for another CopyNight! Most chapters meet
this Tuesday, September 23d, in cities around the world. Be sure
to check the website for details on your local chapter, and shoot
us an email if you'd like to start something in your city!
http://copynight.org/
Here's a copyright-related news item to get the conversation started:
* Musicians Don't [Heart] McCain
A slew of popular musicians are up in arms over the McCain
campaign's use of their songs. To date, liberal performers Van
Halen, Heart, and John Mellencamp have complained about their
music being associated with the Republican candidate. Does that
sound fair?
As a matter of copyright law, it turns out that those uses are
licensed. The musicians' performance rights are handled by
organizations like ASCAP and BMI, and the McCain campaign obtained
licenses from both groups. But it raises the interesting question
of moral rights, which the U.S. has declined to recognize. Should
artists have an inalienable (or waivable?) right to protect the
integrity of their work, as they do in Canada and many European
countries? Would you feel different if the Obama camp was the one
being asked to cease and desist? To what extent do our political
biases make it hard to analyze the broader copyright question?
For more info on this issue:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13477.html
http://www.slate.com/id/2199492/
Lots of fun stuff to discuss at this month's CopyNight - hope you
can join us!
Cheers,
Ren Bucholz
CopyNight Toronto