Europe Gives Up on 'Right to Internet' Nov 8, 2009
Pressure from member states is understood to have worn down resistance from the elected chamber, not merely due to the desire on the part of a number of countries to introduce tough anti-piracy bills, but also because EU capitals felt that the European Parliament was getting too big for its britches and encroaching in a judicial area responsibility for which is jealously guarded by European national governments. MEPs in the end capitulated before this argument, conceding that they had no... (BusinessWeek)
China hosts anti-piracy meeting Nov 7, 2009
China is hosting a two-day international conference to co-ordinate anti-piracy escorts for cargo vessels in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia. Representatives from Russia, Japan, India, the EU and Nato are focusing on how best to co-ordinate their navies in the escort missions. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
EU agrees on Internet, telecoms user rights Nov 6, 2009
An earlier bill had been rejected by the parliament amid uproar over a draft French anti-piracy law which had suggested that Internet connections of users of peer-to-peer services could be cut without the prior intervention of judicial authorities. The revised deal stresses that "citizens in the EU are entitled to a prior fair and impartial procedure, including the right to be heard, and they have a right to an effective and timely judicial review.". (Yahoo! Asia News)
Spanish Hostages' Wives: Pirates Take 3 Crew Ashore Nov 6, 2009
Two days after the hijacking, Spanish naval forces taking part in the EU anti-piracy mission captured two suspected pirates as they tried to travel ashore to Somalia from the Alakrana in a skiff. Both are now in custody in Madrid and face preliminary charges, including 36 counts of kidnapping. (Fox News)
Meet the evil new copyright treaty Nov 5, 2009
Also, once framed as an "anti-piracy" provision, it's often very hard to eliminate language even when it blocks an entire class of common Internet services, especially in closed negotiations. An example of this is in one of the Korean FTA , where Korea agrees "on the objective of shutting down Internet sites that permit the unauthorized downloading (and other forms of piracy) of copyright works, including so-called webhard services". (Harper's Magazine)
US frets over Tokyo drift Nov 5, 2009
On the very next day, Kitazawa said there was a very strong possibility that Japan would commence another refueling mission in early 2010 in support of the multi-national naval force assigned to anti-piracy duties off the coast of Africa. While US President Barack Obama makes his first official trip to Asia this month, it seems unlikely that some sort of sweeping declaration about joint US-Japan defense issues will be made during his visit to Japan. (Asia Times Online)
Espinel Emphasizes Importance Of Intellectual Property Nov 5, 2009
""This nomination heralds a new era where counterfeiting and anti-piracy become a White House priority in protecting innovation, technical invention and creativity that drive the American economy," said NBC Rick Cotton, executive vice president and general counsel, NBC Universal. "Her testimony reflects the kind of policies that the Pro IP Act contemplated and this is an exciting day for the U.S.'s economic future. "The Pro IP Act created the new enforcement position in the Executive Office of... (Multichannel News)
Pirates Prepare for Battle Over British Couple Nov 3, 2009
Other reports have suggested that the pirates might want to organize a prisoner exchange, swapping the Chandlers for a group of pirates who were arrested by an EU warship on anti-piracy patrol off the Somali coast. Related Stories. (Fox News)
No responsibility Nov 2, 2009
At least you no longer have to sit through the once unavoidable anti-piracy trailer that used to precede all DVDs. It stated that you would not steal a handbag or rob a bank so should not copy a DVD.. (BBC News)
Two dead in ocean shootout Nov 2, 2009
While Norway is not part of the 27-nation EU, it is a longstanding member of NATO which collaborates with the Brussels-mandated mission on a host of interntional anti-piracy operations. Said Muse, the deputy commander of security forces in Alula, earlier said French forces were thought to have been behind the attack. (iAfrica.com)
China Military Recruiters Target College Graduates Nov 2, 2009
At the same time, the PLA is in need of better-educated soldiers to fly its sophisticated new jets, program its smart weapons, and handle the logistics of an expanding number of roles including U.N. peacekeeping operations and anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden. Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. (CBS News -- World)
Pirates demand $7 mn for British couple Nov 1, 2009
Somali pirates demand $7 mn ransom for British couple - ET Cetera-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times. Somali pirates demand $7 mn ransom for British couple 31 Oct 2009, 1710 hrs IST, IANS. (India Times)
Spain: Tuna boats off Somalia can boost firepower Oct 31, 2009
Two of the pirates involved in the hijacking were captured a few days later by Spanish military forces taking part in an EU anti-piracy flotilla and brought to Madrid. Courts have spent the last 10 days trying to decide if one of them is a minor or an adult, and their colleagues back on the Alakrana reportedly demanded their release as a condition for freeing the trawler and its crew. (MSNBC -- International)
Pirates Want Millions for Couple Oct 31, 2009
They were transferred back to one of two hijacked ships in control of the pirates a Singaporean-flagged vessel or a Spanish fishing vessel being held off the Somali coast, according to Nick Davis, director of Anti-Piracy Maritime Security Solutions, which runs security crews in the Gulf of Aden. Davis told Fox News that elders in the coastal pirate lair of Hardaheere, where the British couple were held overnight, thought the presence of the couple was too dangerous for the town to manage. (Fox News)
English holidaymakers' yacht found abandoned by navy Oct 30, 2009
Two skiffs attacked the French ship about 560 kilometres east of the capital Mogadishu on Tuesday, and were repulsed by French marines, the EU's Atalanta anti-piracy fleet said in a statement on Wednesday. Guardian News & Media, Bloomberg, Associated Press. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Pirated version of Windows 7 on sale at Rs 50 per CD Oct 29, 2009
On its part, the Business Software Alliance (BSA), a joint anti-piracy initiative launched by top software makers, hopes that users will buy more genuine software. During past few weeks, different parts of the country are reporting unavailability of genuine software in retail shelves because of lack of clarity on tax issues on import of packaged software, which may slow down the progress made towards promoting genuine software, said Lizum Mishra, director BSA India. (India Times)
Nintendo to launch big-screen DS console: report Oct 28, 2009
com - Nintendo to launch big-screen DS console report. " onclick="Next();" src="/images/butt_next. (Channelnewsasia.com)
Pirates may have captured couple, yacht Oct 28, 2009
European Union anti-piracy forces may have spotted the missing vessel Tuesday, a spokesman told CNN.. "One of our helicopters spotted a yacht approximately 200 nautical miles from the Somali coast, towing two skiffs of the type normally used by pirates," Lt. Cmdr. (CNN)
* Nintendo may release console with big screen Oct 28, 2009
Nintendo is also said to be planning to release a new version of the DSi with improved anti-piracy features in China and South Korea by the end of next March, it said. The company would not confirm the report, which a spokeswoman said was based on speculation. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Nintendo to launch new DSi handheld in Japan: report Oct 27, 2009
Nintendo also plans to launch a version of the DSi with more robust anti-piracy features for the Chinese and South Korean markets by the end of the current business year in March 2010, the Nikkei said. Its shares ended the morning down 0. (Yahoo News -- Technology)
Japan mulls anti-piracy naval plan Oct 27, 2009
" onclick="Next();" src="/images/butt_next (Channelnewsasia.com)
Europe backs down on piracy plans Oct 24, 2009
It follows pressure from countries keen to adopt tough anti-piracy laws ... At the same time Business Secretary Peter Mandelson has moved to toughen up anti-piracy legislation to include the ability to remove persistent file-sharers from the net ... Peer-to-peer networks are likely to be the main targets of any anti-piracy legislation. (BBC News -- Technology)
Video Pirates' New Adversary: Chinese Web Sites Oct 23, 2009
"Unless you open the door to [foreign content], people will always find illegal ways to get it here," says Thierry Raymaekers, business development chief at Irdeto, a company that sells anti-piracy technology to cable TV operators. That means copyright holders have a long road ahead. (BusinessWeek)
Hijacked bulk carrier off coast of Somalia Oct 23, 2009
"The Hijacked Bulk Carrier, the DE XIN HAI, is confirmed to have arrived off the coast of Somalia and is now in the vicinity of Hobyo," the EU anti-piracy force said in a statement posted on its website ... LONDON, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- The seajacked Chinese bulk carrier DE XIN HAI is heading northwest and is now 650 nautical miles off the east coast of Somalia, the EU anti-piracy military organization EU NAVFOR said on Tuesday. (Xinhuanet, China)
Windows 7: The Best Operating System Microsoft Has Ever Made Oct 23, 2009
For instance, the OS still requires "" by a 25-character code, an anti-piracy measure that annoys legitimate users while doing little to crush actual pirates. And if you buy a new Windows 7 PC, you might find it clogged with useless pre-loaded software installed by computer makers in exchange for money, a practice that isn't technically a flaw in the OS but that nevertheless ruins what Microsoft likes to call the "Windows experience.". (Slate)
Bootleg Nation Oct 23, 2009
Enforcement is weak at least in part because of the country's size: It's difficult to implement anti-piracy laws across such a vast territory, especially in rural areas with limited police resources. Trade restrictions and censorship, meanwhile, spur the growth of China's black market. (Slate)
Pirates strike again Oct 23, 2009
In Brussels, the European Union's anti-piracy naval mission said a Chinese cargo ship seized in the Indian Ocean with 25 crew arrived on Thursday in waters favoured by Somali pirates ... Aircraft belonging to the European Union's Atalanta anti-piracy mission were monitoring the situation, it added, after Chinese state media said the vessel has enough fuel for a month and ample supplies of food and water. (iAfrica.com)
Somali pirates seize ship off East African coast Oct 23, 2009
NAIROBI, Kenya - Somali pirates with automatic weapons seized a cargo ship off Africa's east coast and are holding its 26 crew members from India and Myanmar hostage, anti-piracy officials said Thursday. The pirates captured the Panamanian-flagged MV Al Khaliq some 200 miles (320 kilometers) west of the Seychelles islands early Thursday, a statement from the European Union's anti-piracy task force said. (MSNBC -- International)
China's navy sails past India's dock Oct 22, 2009
"By appropriating capabilities in this disaster assistance and humanitarian relief area as well as participating in global stakeholder activities such as the Somalia anti-piracy mission, the PLAN seems to have cottoned on to a convenient vehicle for regional and 'out of area' naval activity - non-traditional security missions - without setting off alarm bells." ... Its reluctance to join the anti-piracy mission off Somalia, and its attachment to big carriers with all their inherent littoral... (Asia Times Online)
How the Web Is Changing TV's Definition of a Hit Oct 21, 2009
Added Graboff: "We're glad we're equity owners of Hulu.;We're hopefully going to see some money that way. This was an anti-piracy move. We may have been a little too aggressive with giving it away for free.". But, he acknowledged, "at least Hulu has been created as a destination site. I think they'll eventually find a business model, hopefully sooner than later.". (BusinessWeek)
China Moves to Project Air Power in Pacific With Soviet Carrier Overhaul Oct 21, 2009
Two destroyers and a supply ship deployed for anti-piracy patrols off Somalia in December 2008. With a $3. (Bloomberg)
China vows to save crew held by Somali pirates. But how? Oct 21, 2009
Three Chinese military vessels are part of the international anti-piracy taskforce, but they are currently patrolling the Gulf of Aden, almost 1,000 miles from the spot where pirates seized the coal-carrying De Xin Hai and her 25 Chinese crew members ... Shortly before the Chinese ships joined the anti-piracy task force last December, Chinese TV aired footage of the drills. (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
Chinese ship seized as Somali pirates change line of attack Oct 20, 2009
According to the European Union's anti-piracy naval mission (EU NAVFOR), the unnamed ship was seized 550 nautical miles (1020 km) northeast of the Seychelles and 700 nautical miles off the east coast of Somalia ... Joel Morgan, the island state's minister in charge of anti-piracy, said on Sunday during a visit by French Defence Minister Herve Morin maritime traffic in the area had dropped by a third due to piracy. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
US Navy seizes 4 tons of hashish in Gulf of Aden Oct 20, 2009
US warship seizes 4 tons of hashish aboard boat off Horn of Africa during anti-piracy patrol. Font size. (CBS News -- World)
China makes efforts to rescue hijacked cargo ship Oct 20, 2009
China's anti-piracy mission was the first international combat mission for China's navy outside of its home waters. Countries as diverse as Britain, India, Iran, the U.S., France and Germany have naval forces in the waters or on their way there. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
EU naval force: Chinese hostages seem to be fine Oct 20, 2009
A bulk carrier "De Xin Hai" from China was hijacked in the Indian Ocean around noon local time, the EU anti-piracy military organization EU NAVFOR said in a statement on Monday. EU NAVFOE said in a statement that the ship was hijacked 550 nautical miles North East of the Seychelles and 700 nautical miles off the East coast of Somalia. (Xinhuanet, China)
Somali pirates seize Chinese ship with 25 crew Oct 20, 2009
NAIROBI, Kenya - Somali pirates seized a Chinese cargo ship Monday with 25 people onboard, a naval spokesman for the European Union's anti-piracy force said, in the first successful attack on a Chinese vessel since the country deployed three naval warships to the region. Cmdr. (MSNBC -- International)
Somali pirates seize Chinese ship Oct 20, 2009
Somali pirates have hijacked a Chinese cargo ship with 25 crew on board, the EU's anti-piracy naval mission says. The De Xin Hai, which was transporting coal, was seized early on Monday in the Indian Ocean, about 1,100km (700 miles) east of the Somali coast. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
Somali pirates hijack Singapore-flagged ship Oct 18, 2009
A statement on the Web site of the EU anti-piracy force says the Kota Wajar was seized early Thursday in the Indian Ocean about 300 miles (480 kilometers) north of the Seychelles islands. The statement says coalition forces sent an aircraft to investigate. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
Singapore ship seized by pirates Oct 16, 2009
The maritime security centre of the European Union, which has a patrolling anti-piracy naval force, confirmed the most recent attack. The EU said in a statement that it had sent a patrol aircraft to investigate, but did not provide further details. (BBC News -- Africa)
Five held as confused pirates attack French ship Oct 16, 2009
Pirates fire on French ship involved in anti-piracy operation off Somali coast ... BCR Somme carries supplies to forces involved in European anti-piracy operation ... (CNN) -- Five people were detained off Somalia's coast Wednesday after pirates mistook a French ship involved in an anti-piracy operation for a commercial vessel, the French Defense Ministry said. (CNN -- World)
RM794,300 worth of pirated software seized from college Oct 12, 2009
Business Software Alliance Asia Pacific Anti-Piracy senior director Tarun Sawney, who was present at the news conference, said that software piracy was different from other forms of piracy like music and movie-based piracy in that the source was the company using the pirated software and not the factory. He lauded the Malaysian government for its commitment to protecting intellectual property rights in Malaysia as the 30 cases filed by the ministry was the highest in comparison to the rest of... (The Star Online, Malaysia)
* French marines on trawlers repel Somali pirates Oct 12, 2009
Some 60 marines are involved in this French protection measure, which was put in place at the request of ship owners and is distinct from both the EU and NATO anti-piracy operations in the region ... The pirates brought it into the coast and it is currently anchored off Harardere, a central Somalia port, under surveillance from two frigates that are part of the European anti-piracy operation Atalanta. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
What's replacing P2P, BitTorrent as pirate hangouts? Oct 10, 2009
Hyperlinks to the software can then be distributed by pirates via Web sites, instant messages, or social media sites such as Twitter, said Vic DeMarines, CEO of anti-piracy software vendor V.I. Labs. "It's incredibly easy to use. And what you get is essentially your own private FTP server," DeMarines said. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Technology)
Rosyth wins warship missile refit Oct 10, 2009
In addition to war fighting roles the ship can conduct a wide range of tasks including anti-piracy and anti-smuggling activities, disaster relief work and surveillance operations ... "In addition to war fighting roles the ship can conduct a wide range of tasks including anti-piracy and anti-smuggling activities, disaster relief work and surveillance operations, particularly in the northern Arabian Gulf.". (BBC News -- Business)
Warships, crews ward off Somali pirates Oct 9, 2009
Scott Sanders, commander of an anti-piracy task force in the region ... "We're a pretty formidable force out here," said British Navy Capt. Keith Blount, chief of staff of Combined Task Force 151, the anti-piracy unit. (USA Today)
French navy seizes mistaken Somali pirates Oct 8, 2009
France joined the European Union's anti-piracy operation in the Gulf of Aden this year, along side navies of China, the United States and other countries. Editor: Yan. (Xinhuanet, China)
Pirates free Turkish ship after ransom Oct 6, 2009
Spanish forces are taking part in an EU anti-piracy flotilla. A Spanish judge requested Sunday that those two suspects be sent to Madrid for investigation on charges of piracy and terrorism. (MSNBC -- International)
* Will books be Napsterized? Oct 5, 2009
At my request, Attributor, a company based in Redwood City, California, that offers publishers anti-piracy services, did a search last week to see how many e-book copies of The Lost Symbol were available free on the Web. After verifying that each file claiming to be the book actually was, Attributor reported that 166 copies of the e-book were available on 11 sites. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Pirates take Spanish fishing boat Oct 3, 2009
The European Union's anti-piracy naval force has begun an operation to make contact with the crew ... The Alakrana sent a distress call to another Spanish fishing boat in the area, which then alerted the EU's anti-piracy force ... The British-based EU anti-piracy organisation then confirmed the hijack, which took place some 360 nautical miles off the east coast of Somalia. (BBC News -- Africa)
Pirates hijack tuna boat for second time Oct 3, 2009
Two planes from Luxembourg, taking part in an EU anti-piracy flotilla, flew over the ship and saw armed people aboard, said Pilar Unzalu, the Basque region's fisheries and agriculture minister ... Spanish navy ships and a reconnaissance plane are also taking part in the EU anti-piracy flotilla. (MSNBC -- International)
Spanish boat attacked by pirates in Indian Ocean Oct 2, 2009
Spanish military forces are taking part in an EU anti-piracy flotilla deployed in the Indian Ocean. It was the second attack in less than a month against the Alakrana. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
Somalia: President Endorses Puntland Agreement Oct 1, 2009
He noted that a deal signed by TFG Fisheries Minister Abdirahman Ibbi in Djibouti, which stirred controversy with Puntland, was an "understanding among eight countries" in the region to strengthen cooperation in the anti-piracy campaign. "The duty of the [Transitional] Federal Government is to works towards uniting the Somali people and the agreement with Puntland is part of this," explained President Sheikh Sharif, who praised the relative peace in the northern Somali enclaves of Somaliland and... (allAfrica.com)
MS wins overturn of patent award Sep 30, 2009
SEATTLE: Microsoft Corp did not infringe a patent held by anti-piracy software maker Uniloc Inc, a federal judge ruled on Tuesday, nullifying an earlier $388 million damages award against Microsoft ... Microsoft Corp did not infringe a patent held by anti-piracy software maker Uniloc Inc, a federal judge ruled on Tuesday, nullifying an earlier $388 million damages award against Microsoft. (India Times)
Online piracy in China: Public morals and private property Sep 30, 2009
In mid-September the China Internet Video Anti-Piracy Alliance, a group comprising both big Chinese internet portals and foreign rights-owners, including the Motion Picture Association of America, announced a broad legal attack. It said that it had begun collecting evidence against more than 1,000 suspected violators of intellectual property and would start filing lawsuits, with the first target being 503 videos found on Youku, an increasingly popular website, that the alliance claims are... (The Economist)
Swiss vote against piracy force Sep 25, 2009
Swiss troops will not take part in an EU anti-piracy operation off the coast of Somalia, lawmakers have ruled ... In June, EU ministers agreed to extend the anti-piracy operation until the end of 2010. (BBC News -- Europe)
Swiss say no to troops against Somali pirates Sep 24, 2009
GENEVA -- Swiss lawmakers have quashed plans to contribute troops to a European Union anti-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia. The 102-81 vote in parliament against the deployment on Thursday reflected widespread concern that sending troops would violate Switzerland's long-standing neutrality. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Australians thwart pirate attack Sep 24, 2009
The frigate HMAS Toowoomba was on an anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday when it picked up a call for help from the BBC Portugal, which was being pursued by an armed gang in a fast launch ... This was the frigate's first anti-piracy operation since arriving in the Gulf of Aden two weeks ago. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Kenya: Govt Seals Common Border with Somalia Sep 23, 2009
Accompanying Ms Barbier were crew from the French naval ship Gerninal which docked at the Mombasa port on anti-piracy mission. Its commander is CDR Najoufre Fransous. (allAfrica.com)
France passes tough new law on music piracy Sep 23, 2009
France passes tough anti-piracy measure - CNN.com ... France passes tough anti-piracy measure. (CNN -- World)
France passes tough anti-piracy measure Sep 23, 2009
National Assembly passes bill by 258 to 131, a day after the Senate approves it. Bill replaces a tougher version of the legislation that was rejected as unconstitutional. (CNN -- International)
China Says Military Arsenal On Par With West Sep 22, 2009
Liang said China has contributed 13,000 troops to U.N. peace keeping operations along with three navy flotillas to join in anti-piracy patrols of the coast of Somalia. Despite such moves, however, the PLA remains largely a closed shop and military ties with the United States and other nations are often hobbled by disputes over Taiwan and other political issues. (Time.com)
Stars at war Sep 22, 2009
The peer-to-peer debate has been rumbling on for a tedious, divisive and largely fruitless decade, with illegal traffic continuing to grow as lawsuits, education campaigns and anti-piracy technologies have come and gone. For new talent, file-sharing is a disaster as it's making it harder and harder for new acts to emerge. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
India's China Panic: Seeing a 'Red Peril' on Land and Sea Sep 20, 2009
Reports of a tense standoff earlier this year between Indian and Chinese warships on anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden though dismissed by both governments did little to subdue the sense of distrust brewing between policymakers on both sides. In response to China's gains, India's navy aims to modernize its own fleet. (Time.com)
Lawyers: Alleged Arctic Sea Pirates Needed Help Sep 19, 2009
A Russian shipping expert and an EU anti-piracy official have speculated that the vessel was carrying clandestine cargo, possibly surface-to-air missiles for Iran or Syria. Russian officials have dismissed the allegations. (CBS News -- World)