The Curious Copyright Case of It's A Wonderful Life

It’s A Wonderful Life did not make a major mark on the box office when it was released and won a single Oscar for its special effects.  However, when its copyright lapsed it became a massive Christmas favorite beloved of millions.  Yet this was not the end of the story – or really the beginning.  FilmmakerIQ here gives us the most comprehensive video account of the story of the movie – ever!

Obama Fried Chicken

Image Credit Flickr User Paul Lowry

It has recently come to light that a fast food restaurant in Beijing has opened – its name is Obama Fried Chicken.  The Kentucky Fried Chicken logo has been somewhat doctored and the face of Colonel Sanders replaced with that of the current presidential incumbent (see left). Although that is just another example of the disregard of certain Chinese citizens of global copyright laws (and racism even?), we do have to reveal here that the idea is hardly a new one!  Above is the Obama Fried Chicken in New York and below one elsewhere (sorry but we do not know its exact location!).

Image CRedit Flickr User sometimesdee

Terms & Conditions - Cool Animated Film about Digital Rights Management

This is a very well put together animated short film about Digital Rights Management or DRM for short.  It was made by a group of students attending Vancouver Film School and outlines what publishers can do if they use DRM.

This is a term that is used when describing any technology that inhibits the use of digital content.  It involves direct modification of the file(s) and is used widely by such global brands as Sony, Microsoft, Apple and even Auntie (the BBC).

Amazon, for example was able to make two George Orwell books disappear from the files of Kindle users who had bought it from them. Without any irony whatsoever.

What does this mean for people who buy downloads?  You can’t share the book and you will most certainly not be able to keep the book forever.

It certainly does not seem like an enlightened move by publishers, particularly when it comes to reproducing and disseminating the work of long dead authors.

Take a look at the video and make up your own mind.

Tower Defence