Tag: USA

America has one month to stop the FBI getting its global license to hack • The Register


In one month, an obscure procedural rule tweak will come into effect allowing US cops and federal agents to hack any computer in the world using a single warrant issued anywhere in America.

No one in Congress has voted on this legal update. It means a warrant granted somewhere within the US can be executed on the other side of the country – or the other side of the planet.

The change, approved by the Supreme Court, is in Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Right now, if law enforcement wants to hack a PC, they have to ask a judge for a warrant in the jurisdiction where it is located. With the rule change, they could do this to any computer anywhere in the US or the world.

As a bonus, the change would also allow law enforcement – without a warrant – free rein to hack into computers that have already been hacked. So, for example, if you have a virus infection then law enforcement can go through your files at will.

Source: America has one month to stop the FBI getting its global license to hack • The Register

Big Pharma Paid LGBT Groups and Others That Opposed California Drug-Price Ballot Measure


The measure would lower drug prices for state agencies. Big drug companies are so terrified, they’ve ponied up an astounding $109 million to fight it.

Source: Big Pharma Paid LGBT Groups and Others That Opposed California Drug-Price Ballot Measure

Hollywood Accounting Back In Court: How Has Spinal Tap Only Earned $81 In Merchandise Sales For Its Creators? | Techdirt

We’ve discussed the amazing bullshit known as Hollywood Accounting many times here on Techdirt. This is the trick whereby big Hollywood studios basically get out of paying anyone royalties by claiming movies (including big, mega-famous ones) are not profitable. The most simple version of this trick is that the big studio sets up an independent corporation to represent “the film.” It then “sells” services to that corporation, which it owns, at exorbitant prices. So, for example, it will charge a “marketing and distribution fee,” which may actually be many multiples of the film’s actual budget. No cash changes hands here. It’s just a paper transaction, but because of those “fees” any money made from the film remains with the big Hollywood studio, and is not passed on to anyone who has “participation” in the net profits from the film.

Source: Hollywood Accounting Back In Court: How Has Spinal Tap Only Earned $81 In Merchandise Sales For Its Creators? | Techdirt

Prenda lawyers’ careers are up in smoke, but sanctions keep coming | Ars Technica


In 2013, Prenda lashed out against blog commenters who called them “assclowns.”

Source: Prenda lawyers’ careers are up in smoke, but sanctions keep coming | Ars Technica

Major New Court Ruling Says “Even The President” Can’t Declare Torture Lawful


The ruling reinstates a lawsuit against a military contractor for its role in the torture of four men at the notorious Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

Source: Major New Court Ruling Says “Even The President” Can’t Declare Torture Lawful

Meanwhile, in America: Half of adults’ faces are in police databases • The Register


‘It is out of control,’ think tank thinks

Source: Meanwhile, in America: Half of adults’ faces are in police databases • The Register

Donald Trump’s Son & Campaign Manager Both Tweet Obviously Fake Story | Techdirt


Here’s the thing, though. If you actually look at the story, it’s so obviously fake. I mean, first off, just the claim that a protestor got $3500 to protest a Trump rally? I mean, even Donald Trump himself only paid his fake supporters $50 to cheer at his campaign announcement. Yes, the Clinton campaign has raised a lot more money than the Trump campaign, but $3500 a protestor? I mean, that’s pretty obviously a ridiculous number.

Source: Donald Trump’s Son & Campaign Manager Both Tweet Obviously Fake Story | Techdirt