Saturday, February 23, 2008
Why Are People Accused Of Copyright Infringement?
When you hear about people caught of copyright infringement, many different things can happen to them. First, copyright infringement is both a civil and criminal crime, so people caught of copyright infringement are likely to get both sued and tried in criminal court. Because of the nature of copyright laws, if and when people are caught of copyright infringement, its likely they will get repercussions from far and wide.
People are always looking for others violating copyright laws. Copyright owners and/or agents surf the Internet, so they may find the violations themselves. Usually, if someone finds a person violating their copyright rights, theyll notify the person or entities involved and ask they permanently remove the content, if its available on the Internet. They do this by either asking the person directly to take it down, or demanding the website server to take it down (which they will, immediately, and probably suspend the account). If the person or entity hosting the violation doesnt take it down, more serious actions will be taken, such as a lawsuit or criminal charge.
People caught for copyright infringement do not automatically go to jail, although some entities like major television, music, movie publishers and distribution channels may lead you to believe otherwise. For example, many people are caught for copyright infringement at YouTube.com, but they only need to take down the material. In many cases, YouTube.com will take the material down before the poster (the person who put the copyrighted information on the site to begin with) has a chance to see the warning.
Other times, a work will be present on a peer to peer file sharing service, such as Kazaa or Napster, and the host of said service will blame the end user (you!). So, even if you found a file on a file sharing service, such as Kazaa, doesnt mean the copyright is open for you to take it. Many people caught of copyright infringement have been found through these peer to peer networks, and it has been found that the user who downloads the material gets charged and not the file sharing service. Be careful, if you are ever to use a peer to peer service such as Kazaa (or bit torrent, which is the code/program for another type of peer to peer file distribution tool) that youre only downloading, and sharing, items that arent copyrighted works -- or you could be punished severely.
Sometimes, people are caught of file sharing from their IP addresses -- because they download something from a secure site, their servers can track your IP address (your unique location on the Internet, four sets of numbers, separated by periods, with at most three numbers in each set -- i.e. 216.239.51.100 which is the IP address of Google.com). So even if you think youve bypassed the copyright law, you can still be found years later by tracing that IP address.
There are many ways to find people caught of copyright infringement. You can search through Google.com or look through newspaper databases. One thing, however, remains the same in all these cases -- people are downloading, sharing, or in some other way using copyrighted materials. The problem is, especially in the Internet age, is that even if youre using something anonymously, you can still be tracked -- and prosecuted -- for the infringement. Be careful, in all you download or use, have the rights to use the item --sometimes its as simple as asking permission that will keep you from getting sued or sent to jail.
Richard Cunningham is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com. Download his free e-book, "Copyright Basics" at http://ResearchCopyright.com.
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People are always looking for others violating copyright laws. Copyright owners and/or agents surf the Internet, so they may find the violations themselves. Usually, if someone finds a person violating their copyright rights, theyll notify the person or entities involved and ask they permanently remove the content, if its available on the Internet. They do this by either asking the person directly to take it down, or demanding the website server to take it down (which they will, immediately, and probably suspend the account). If the person or entity hosting the violation doesnt take it down, more serious actions will be taken, such as a lawsuit or criminal charge.
People caught for copyright infringement do not automatically go to jail, although some entities like major television, music, movie publishers and distribution channels may lead you to believe otherwise. For example, many people are caught for copyright infringement at YouTube.com, but they only need to take down the material. In many cases, YouTube.com will take the material down before the poster (the person who put the copyrighted information on the site to begin with) has a chance to see the warning.
Other times, a work will be present on a peer to peer file sharing service, such as Kazaa or Napster, and the host of said service will blame the end user (you!). So, even if you found a file on a file sharing service, such as Kazaa, doesnt mean the copyright is open for you to take it. Many people caught of copyright infringement have been found through these peer to peer networks, and it has been found that the user who downloads the material gets charged and not the file sharing service. Be careful, if you are ever to use a peer to peer service such as Kazaa (or bit torrent, which is the code/program for another type of peer to peer file distribution tool) that youre only downloading, and sharing, items that arent copyrighted works -- or you could be punished severely.
Sometimes, people are caught of file sharing from their IP addresses -- because they download something from a secure site, their servers can track your IP address (your unique location on the Internet, four sets of numbers, separated by periods, with at most three numbers in each set -- i.e. 216.239.51.100 which is the IP address of Google.com). So even if you think youve bypassed the copyright law, you can still be found years later by tracing that IP address.
There are many ways to find people caught of copyright infringement. You can search through Google.com or look through newspaper databases. One thing, however, remains the same in all these cases -- people are downloading, sharing, or in some other way using copyrighted materials. The problem is, especially in the Internet age, is that even if youre using something anonymously, you can still be tracked -- and prosecuted -- for the infringement. Be careful, in all you download or use, have the rights to use the item --sometimes its as simple as asking permission that will keep you from getting sued or sent to jail.
Richard Cunningham is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com. Download his free e-book, "Copyright Basics" at http://ResearchCopyright.com.
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Nigers Tuareg Rebels Could Impact Worlds Fourth Largest Uranium Producer
The next potential squeeze on uranium supply could come from terrorism, not nature.
The worlds seventh and eighth uranium producing mines are found in the Republic of Niger: the underground Akouta and the open pit Arlit. Together they produced 3434 tonnes of uranium in 2006, according to the World Nuclear Association. This accounted for more than eight percent of the worlds mining production last year.
How badly would this impact a tight uranium market if either of the Niger mines stopped producing?
A Paris-based spokesman for the Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ), Seydou Kaocen Maiga, told reporters this weekend, This region has been declared a war zone by the government and in this situation we cannot allow the Chinese to continue extracting natural resources while civilians are being killed.
He had made this statement after Tuareg and other nomadic tribes, led by the highly trained militant Aghaly ag Alambo, kidnapped China Nuclear International Uranium (Sino-U) deputy general manager Zhang Guohua. The kidnapping took place near Ingall, an area which is currently being heavily prospected for uranium deposits, and which we discussed nearly 15 months ago.
Ag Alambo appears to be emerging as a folk hero among the nomadic tribes, who control northern Niger and where the uranium mines are located.
We have been following the Tuareg story since April, when thirty armed MNJ nomads attacked Nigers Akouta uranium mine, controlled by an AREVA subsidiary. A security guard and three others were killed. There had been two previous violent incidents before then, but none were uranium mining related.
Little took place until June when another 20 MNJ members boldly, but unsuccessfully, attacked an international airport located in Agadez. This is another area being prospected for uranium deposits. In late June, a widely respected security expert, Neil Thompson of RED24, issued a travel warning advising against all non-essential travel to the northern parts of Niger. Thompson was formerly the Detective Superintendent in the UKs National Crime Squad, is a trained hostage negotiator, and has worked closely with foreign intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
Thompson also wrote in his travel advisory, The combination of widespread Tuareg discontent, a highly motivated and increasingly capable Tuareg insurgent group, and the Niger governments entrenched political position suggests that a protracted, and possibly bloody, conflict in northern Niger is now highly likely, and may even spread to neighbouring countries. The MNJ has been active for the past six months, as the spot uranium price reached a historic high.
A week before the Chinese uranium executive was kidnapped, Thompson warned the MNJ would attack softer targets, such as foreign companies and personnel.
Earlier this year, Nigers Minister of Mines and Energy, Mohammed Abdoulahi, said his staff was reviewing about 100 exploration applications from 26 companies. After Namibia had closed the exploration license window, many chose to pursue uranium opportunities in Niger.
Most eager were the Chinese. The country had announced ambitious plans to build new nuclear reactors to continue fueling Chinas astounding GDP growth, while at the same time hoping to reduce its share of carbon dioxide emissions. China is the worlds largest consumer of coal and hopes to reduce its coal dependence through the use of nuclear, natural gas and other less pollutive alternatives.
The Tuareg rebels have complained about Chinese workers taking the jobs of local workers. Ag Alambo issued a warning that he was opposed to foreign companies supplying Nigers national army, which has been detaining and killing civilians during a brutal regional security crackdown.
At the root of the recent Tuareg hostilities is the demand to have greater control over Nigers mineral resources, especially the countrys uranium interests. Uranium comprises more than 70 percent of the countrys exports. Ironically, Niger derives 100 percent of its electricity from fossil fuels. The electricity-producing power plant the rebels attacked earlier this year generates power to mine uranium.
In 1998, the Tuareg nomads were promised greater autonomy by the Niamey-based government in southern Niger, but all promises appear to have been broken. Rebellion by the tribespeople has been sporadic, yet violent, since the 1960s.
Thompson reported in his travel advisory, Sources on the ground suggest that the group (MNJ) is largely made up of veteran Tuareg militants, who were integrated into the Niger military under the terms of the 1998 agreement and subsequently defected.
In question is who dictates how the land is used whether for agriculture or uranium mining. The Tuareg nomads want the arable land for their camels, goats and sheep.
The agriculture and livestock sectors provide about 80 percent of the countrys employment. Only 15 percent of Nigers land is arable, and herein lies the problem. The Chinese have been exploring near the oasis of Indall, which because of its salt diapirs could host prolific uranium deposits.
But the salty plains hold a cultural significance. Each September, as they have for centuries, Tuareg, Peul and Arab nomads gather for the annual salt cure. During their annual reunion, they exchange news of their nomadic travels while their livestock graze on the grass of the oasis.
An MNJ spokesman explained that if Indall became a mining town, it would be a disaster.
And a disaster is what could possibly occur between now and September, before the annual nomadic gathering, should the MNJ insurgents continue targeting uranium interests in Niger.
This is not an anomalous episode, open to instant resolution. The traditional Tuareg lifestyle has been collapsing since the 1970s because of desertification and drought, especially the severe droughts of 1972-74 and 1984-85. Having found themselves forced onto the economic and political sidelines, they took up arms in the 1990s. This led to the resolution of 1998, which was never honored. Dissatisfaction has driven the nomads to rebel. One expert commented, The Tuareg problem in Niger was never resolved.
And now the Tuareg and other nomads appear to have banded together to reclaim their territory, which includes uranium prospecting licenses awarded to foreign operators.
Most likely to be impacted should the Akouta underground uranium mine suffer any damage is AREVA, which owns 34 percent of the Cominak, the company which mines this deposit. Other foreign companies holding interests are Japans Overseas Uranium Resource Development Company (25 percent) and Spains Enusa (10 percent). Uranium concentrates, produced in Niger, are mostly shipped to Comurhex (France) for conversion.
Recent events show a departure from statements made by Dr. John North, then-director of uranium explorers North Atlantic Resources and Northwestern Mineral Ventures, who told us, My experience with Niger is that its a peaceful, democratic country with no civil unrest.
Just as with copper strikes, or the potential thereof, taking place in South America, production disruptions can impact a metals price. The same could be said for uranium, especially for one of the worlds leading producers.
Our conclusions are highly speculative and should not be construed as investment advice. However, to the south in Nigerias Niger Delta, another terrorist group, MEND Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has been dictating the worlds gasoline prices as a result of their kidnappings.
Its Africa. Anything can happen. Even with the uranium price.
COPYRIGHT © 2007 by http://StockInterview.com
James Finch contributes to StockInterview.com and other publications. He has contributed to the widely popular Investing in the Great Uranium Bull Market, and Uranium Outlook 2007 - 2008. His recent work, Investing in Chinas Energy Crisis, is now available at http://bookstore.stockinterview.com/
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The worlds seventh and eighth uranium producing mines are found in the Republic of Niger: the underground Akouta and the open pit Arlit. Together they produced 3434 tonnes of uranium in 2006, according to the World Nuclear Association. This accounted for more than eight percent of the worlds mining production last year.
How badly would this impact a tight uranium market if either of the Niger mines stopped producing?
A Paris-based spokesman for the Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ), Seydou Kaocen Maiga, told reporters this weekend, This region has been declared a war zone by the government and in this situation we cannot allow the Chinese to continue extracting natural resources while civilians are being killed.
He had made this statement after Tuareg and other nomadic tribes, led by the highly trained militant Aghaly ag Alambo, kidnapped China Nuclear International Uranium (Sino-U) deputy general manager Zhang Guohua. The kidnapping took place near Ingall, an area which is currently being heavily prospected for uranium deposits, and which we discussed nearly 15 months ago.
Ag Alambo appears to be emerging as a folk hero among the nomadic tribes, who control northern Niger and where the uranium mines are located.
We have been following the Tuareg story since April, when thirty armed MNJ nomads attacked Nigers Akouta uranium mine, controlled by an AREVA subsidiary. A security guard and three others were killed. There had been two previous violent incidents before then, but none were uranium mining related.
Little took place until June when another 20 MNJ members boldly, but unsuccessfully, attacked an international airport located in Agadez. This is another area being prospected for uranium deposits. In late June, a widely respected security expert, Neil Thompson of RED24, issued a travel warning advising against all non-essential travel to the northern parts of Niger. Thompson was formerly the Detective Superintendent in the UKs National Crime Squad, is a trained hostage negotiator, and has worked closely with foreign intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
Thompson also wrote in his travel advisory, The combination of widespread Tuareg discontent, a highly motivated and increasingly capable Tuareg insurgent group, and the Niger governments entrenched political position suggests that a protracted, and possibly bloody, conflict in northern Niger is now highly likely, and may even spread to neighbouring countries. The MNJ has been active for the past six months, as the spot uranium price reached a historic high.
A week before the Chinese uranium executive was kidnapped, Thompson warned the MNJ would attack softer targets, such as foreign companies and personnel.
Earlier this year, Nigers Minister of Mines and Energy, Mohammed Abdoulahi, said his staff was reviewing about 100 exploration applications from 26 companies. After Namibia had closed the exploration license window, many chose to pursue uranium opportunities in Niger.
Most eager were the Chinese. The country had announced ambitious plans to build new nuclear reactors to continue fueling Chinas astounding GDP growth, while at the same time hoping to reduce its share of carbon dioxide emissions. China is the worlds largest consumer of coal and hopes to reduce its coal dependence through the use of nuclear, natural gas and other less pollutive alternatives.
The Tuareg rebels have complained about Chinese workers taking the jobs of local workers. Ag Alambo issued a warning that he was opposed to foreign companies supplying Nigers national army, which has been detaining and killing civilians during a brutal regional security crackdown.
At the root of the recent Tuareg hostilities is the demand to have greater control over Nigers mineral resources, especially the countrys uranium interests. Uranium comprises more than 70 percent of the countrys exports. Ironically, Niger derives 100 percent of its electricity from fossil fuels. The electricity-producing power plant the rebels attacked earlier this year generates power to mine uranium.
In 1998, the Tuareg nomads were promised greater autonomy by the Niamey-based government in southern Niger, but all promises appear to have been broken. Rebellion by the tribespeople has been sporadic, yet violent, since the 1960s.
Thompson reported in his travel advisory, Sources on the ground suggest that the group (MNJ) is largely made up of veteran Tuareg militants, who were integrated into the Niger military under the terms of the 1998 agreement and subsequently defected.
In question is who dictates how the land is used whether for agriculture or uranium mining. The Tuareg nomads want the arable land for their camels, goats and sheep.
The agriculture and livestock sectors provide about 80 percent of the countrys employment. Only 15 percent of Nigers land is arable, and herein lies the problem. The Chinese have been exploring near the oasis of Indall, which because of its salt diapirs could host prolific uranium deposits.
But the salty plains hold a cultural significance. Each September, as they have for centuries, Tuareg, Peul and Arab nomads gather for the annual salt cure. During their annual reunion, they exchange news of their nomadic travels while their livestock graze on the grass of the oasis.
An MNJ spokesman explained that if Indall became a mining town, it would be a disaster.
And a disaster is what could possibly occur between now and September, before the annual nomadic gathering, should the MNJ insurgents continue targeting uranium interests in Niger.
This is not an anomalous episode, open to instant resolution. The traditional Tuareg lifestyle has been collapsing since the 1970s because of desertification and drought, especially the severe droughts of 1972-74 and 1984-85. Having found themselves forced onto the economic and political sidelines, they took up arms in the 1990s. This led to the resolution of 1998, which was never honored. Dissatisfaction has driven the nomads to rebel. One expert commented, The Tuareg problem in Niger was never resolved.
And now the Tuareg and other nomads appear to have banded together to reclaim their territory, which includes uranium prospecting licenses awarded to foreign operators.
Most likely to be impacted should the Akouta underground uranium mine suffer any damage is AREVA, which owns 34 percent of the Cominak, the company which mines this deposit. Other foreign companies holding interests are Japans Overseas Uranium Resource Development Company (25 percent) and Spains Enusa (10 percent). Uranium concentrates, produced in Niger, are mostly shipped to Comurhex (France) for conversion.
Recent events show a departure from statements made by Dr. John North, then-director of uranium explorers North Atlantic Resources and Northwestern Mineral Ventures, who told us, My experience with Niger is that its a peaceful, democratic country with no civil unrest.
Just as with copper strikes, or the potential thereof, taking place in South America, production disruptions can impact a metals price. The same could be said for uranium, especially for one of the worlds leading producers.
Our conclusions are highly speculative and should not be construed as investment advice. However, to the south in Nigerias Niger Delta, another terrorist group, MEND Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has been dictating the worlds gasoline prices as a result of their kidnappings.
Its Africa. Anything can happen. Even with the uranium price.
COPYRIGHT © 2007 by http://StockInterview.com
James Finch contributes to StockInterview.com and other publications. He has contributed to the widely popular Investing in the Great Uranium Bull Market, and Uranium Outlook 2007 - 2008. His recent work, Investing in Chinas Energy Crisis, is now available at http://bookstore.stockinterview.com/
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