Illegal downloads: sharing out online liability: sharing files, sharing risks

Legal context: Until the Geneva Treaties provided the communication to thepublic right copyright law struggled to provide a coherent responseto filesharing of music and films. Liability for uploaders wasestablished but in practical terms this was not effective. Visitingliability on telecommunications networks and ISP's was not possiblein the light of the international consensus that such entitiesshould enjoy a measure of immunity. The music industry in particularhas launched successful actions against software providers andend users by resorting to either contributory infringement orauthorising infringement. Safeguards against invasion of privacyare put in place but these do not guarantee that the means ofcollecting evidence are necessarily lawful and the Dutch decisiondenying BREIN access to the identities of suspected filesharersbecause of data capture techniques is to be welcomed. Music,film and broadcast rightholders are now using Norwich Pharmacaland notice and take down proceedings to force ISP's cooperatein enforcing copyright law. Key points: Through use of copyright law the music industry in particularhas been successful in shutting down software providers andis still seeking to drag users and parents through the courts.Privacy considerations are not being clearly addressed in somecountries. The signs are that greater use of the criminal lawis intended in many jurisdictions. Practical significance: Decisions such as Sharman suggest that the most effective wayof dealing with filesharing is to go against software providersbut that even this will not stop this activity and that theexpansion of the legal download market and improved productsand services will be the best and most effective response tofilesharing. The writer thinks the increased use of the criminallaw is likely but that such a development is neither a proportionatereaction when civil law remedies are available nor is it a responsibleuse of public funds when law enforcement bodies face other moreserious challenges.     

The seductive discourse of development: The Cape Town 2004 Olympic bid

Research on how the decision to bid for the Olympics is made, the resources and processes involved in the bidding process and how a country responds to a failed bid is important. These aspects are embedded in a range of political and economic processes from the local to the global level. The Olympic Games is the ultimate mega-event. This article uses the case study of the Cape Town 2004 Olympic Bid (CTOB) to examine the above aspects, highlighting the global dimensions of bidding for major events. The CTOB illustrates that contemporary sport associations and structures are strongly influenced by emergent global forces such as global capital and dominance by certain regions. This often results in countries being disadvantaged from one of two sides. Either they cannot afford to participate in the bidding process or they cannot lobby sufficiently to influence the international sport associations.     

Counterterrorism research and development

An effective de-radicalization process in prisons is intended to facilitate the renouncement of violence and terrorism by those that have carried out such offenses. A key lesson that can be drawn from Israel's de-radicalization efforts is that it is possible, indeed recommended, to treat inmates—regardless of their level of radicalization—in a dignified and humane manner. However, Israel's ability to significantly de-radicalize security prisoners is limited if it is at all existent in its current form. Security prisoners with the potential for positive change should be placed in a different, perhaps foreign setting. This article provides an overview of Israel's prison system, the challenges it faces, its efforts to de-radicalize security inmates and suggests additional courses of action.