By Seth Nguyen
Edited by Elissa D. Hecker
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Below, for your browsing convenience, the categories are divided into: Entertainment, Arts, Sports, Technology/Media, and General News.
Entertainment
The Recording Industry Association of America and the Motion Picture Association Urge Court Not to Disarm the DMCA Subpoena Anti-Piracy Tool
The RIAA and MPA are concerned about a court ruling limiting the use of DMCA subpoenas, which may exclude IP addresses from being considered "links." This could hinder efforts to identify online pirates. The ruling involves internet service provider Cox, which argued that DMCA subpoenas don't apply to it. The RIAA and MPA fear that this decision could weaken their ability to combat piracy and are urging the court to reconsider.
Pras Michel Sues Lauryn Hill Over Canceled Fugees Tour, Alleging Fraud
Pras Michel is suing Lauryn Hill, accusing her of deceiving Fugees members about tour finances and trying to control the group's business. Hill called the lawsuit "baseless," claiming that Pras has not repaid significant loans. The lawsuit follows a canceled reunion tour for the Fugees and alleges that Hill took a larger share of profits than agreed. Despite the dispute, Hill plans to tour in Europe this fall, while Pras will not participate.
Garth Brooks Is Accused of Rape and Assault in Lawsuit
Garth Brooks, a prominent country music star, is accused in a lawsuit by a hair and makeup stylist of rape and repeated sexual harassment over two years. Brooks denies the claims, calling the lawsuit an attempt at extortion. The case, filed in Los Angeles, follows an anonymous lawsuit in Mississippi, where Brooks is the plaintiff. The allegations spotlight ongoing sexual misconduct issues in the entertainment industry.
Arts
Fleetwood Mac Producer Ken Caillat Sues Makers of Broadway Hit ‘Stereophonic’
Fleetwood Mac producer Ken Caillat is suing the makers of the Broadway play "Stereophonic," claiming that it copies his memoir Making Rumours, about recording Fleetwood Mac’s album Rumours. The lawsuit alleges similarities in characters and storyline, accusing the play of copyright infringement. Caillat seeks damages and wants to stop the play's distribution and a planned film adaptation.
U.S. Court Orders LibGen to Pay $30m to Publishers, Issues Broad Injunction
A New York federal court has ordered the operators of Library Genesis (LibGen) to pay $30 million for copyright infringement, following a default judgment due to their anonymity. The ruling includes a broad injunction against third-party services to block access to the site. Despite previous legal actions, LibGen remains operational and can easily switch domains. The court also allows for the seizure of future domain names. Enforcement effectiveness is uncertain, as many LibGen domains are still online.
Arts District, Decades in the Making, in Ruins After Helene
Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville, N.C.'s River Arts District, damaging about 80% of its buildings and affecting over 300 artists. The floods destroyed studios and artworks, leaving a trail of mud and debris. Many artists lost years of work and supplies, but the community is coming together to aid recovery. While hopes remain to rebuild this cultural hub, the process will be lengthy and artists' livelihoods are still at risk.
Sports
Michael Jordan’s 23XI and Front Row Motorsports Sue NASCAR Over Revenue Sharing Model
Michael Jordan's 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports filed an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, claiming that its charter system limits competition and imposes unfair terms on teams. The lawsuit seeks damages and challenges NASCAR's control over revenue sharing and governance. The teams refused to sign a new charter agreement, citing financial struggles and demanding a fairer system.
Documents Reveal That WADA Lost Access to Over 2,000 Cases Due to Computer Glitch Before Olympics
A computer glitch caused WADA to lose access to over 2,000 doping cases just before the Paris 2024 Olympics, including 900 active test results. This information was kept from WADA’s executive board, raising concerns about transparency.
German Ski Association Takes FIS to Court: "We will not accept"
The German Ski Association (DSV) is suing the International Ski Federation (FIS) over a decision to centralize marketing rights, which the DSV claims violates competition law. A hearing took place in Munich, with a decision expected in mid-October. The dispute, ongoing for over two years, centers on FIS’s plan to control marketing from the 2025/26 season, which national associations oppose.
FIFA Limits on Player Transfers Are Illegal, Europe’s Top Court Rules
Europe’s top court ruled that certain elements of soccer’s transfer market, particularly FIFA's rules on player contracts, are illegal under EU law. The case involved French player Lassana Diarra, who faced penalties after leaving a Russian team during a pay dispute. While FIFA called the ruling a minor adjustment, others view it as a landmark decision that could empower players to seek compensation and shift power from smaller clubs to wealthier teams, potentially increasing player salaries. The court's ruling may force FIFA to amend its transfer rules, allowing affected players to seek compensation. The case will return to a Belgian court.
Media/Technology
California’s New Law Forces Digital Stores to Admit That Users Are Just Licensing Content, Not Buying It
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed law AB 2426, requiring digital storefronts to clarify that customers are purchasing licenses, not ownership, of digital media. Starting next year, terms like "buy" or "purchase" can only be used with proper disclosures about revocable access and restrictions. This law addresses issues from companies like Ubisoft and Sony that have removed access to purchased content, aiming to enhance consumer awareness of digital ownership.
Unable to Penetrate Systems, Hackers Spread Lies About Vulnerabilities
During the Paris Olympics, hackers turned to disinformation after failing to launch effective cyberattacks. Vincent Strubel, head of France’s cybersecurity agency, noted that while there were constant threats, the Games proceeded smoothly. U.S. officials warn that similar tactics could be used against the upcoming elections, with Russian groups aiming to spread false claims about electoral security. Both countries are enhancing efforts to combat potential cyber threats and misinformation.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/03/us/politics/us-election-cyber-hacking.html?searchResultPosition=1
As 23andMe Struggles, Concerns Surface About Its Genetic Data
23andMe faces a crisis with a plummeting valuation, board resignations, and a data breach affecting nearly seven million customers. Experts warn that compromised genetic data is particularly sensitive and irreversible.
General News
Judge Unseals New Evidence in Federal Election Case Against Trump
Judge Tanya Chutkan has released parts of a filing from prosecutors arguing that former President Donald Trump is not immune from prosecution for attempting to overturn the 2020 election. The filing reveals Trump's indifference to Vice President Pence's safety during the January 6th Capitol riot and dismisses his election fraud claims as personal rather than official actions. Prosecutors outline various plots by Trump and his allies to pressure state officials and create false elector slates.
Mayorkas Warns of Funding Shortfall for Rest of Hurricane Season
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stated that FEMA requires more funding to manage the ongoing hurricane season after Hurricane Helene's devastation, which resulted in at least 183 deaths. President Biden may summon Congress for additional disaster relief, but House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated that lawmakers won't return until after the November elections.
U.S. Hiring Surges, Surpassing Expectations
The labor market bounced back in September, adding 254,000 jobs, a sign that economic growth remains solid. The unemployment rate fell to 4.1%.
30 Days Out, the Harris and Trump Campaigns Brace for ‘Trench Warfare’
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are locked in a tight presidential race across seven battleground states, with polls showing nearly equal support. Harris is leveraging a strong ground game, while Trump hopes to sway voters with messaging on recent global events. Both campaigns are focused on mobilizing low-turnout voters, particularly younger demographics.
Here’s What to Know About the Port Strike
Thousands of dockworkers on the East and Gulf Coasts went on strike Tuesday, halting operations at ports from Maine to Texas after their contract expired. The strike, driven by wage disputes, would have affected about 45,000 workers and could have cost the economy $5 billion daily. A settlement was quickly reached.
Adams’s Lawyers Ask Judge to Dismiss Federal Bribery Charge Accuse Prosecutors of Leaking Investigation Details to News Media
Lawyers for New York City Mayor Eric Adams have filed a memo seeking to dismiss the bribery charge against him, arguing that the accusations don't meet the federal definition of bribery. This comes after a five-count indictment alleging he accepted luxury travel benefits and campaign contributions from Turkish officials in exchange for favors. Adams’s legal team plans to challenge all charges as the case unfolds, emphasizing that proving bribery has become more difficult due to recent Supreme Court rulings. They also filed a motion claiming that federal prosecutors leaked details of his indictment, violating grand jury secrecy. They argue that The New York Times articles biased public opinion before the charges were unsealed.
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