Topic for Software & Internet Law Paper?

[axelfox]

I have to write a paper for my Global Software Protection class. The topic can be related to "legal standard or controversy" or special problems on intellectual property related to computers.

I was thinking of doing it on encryption, and had a suggestion on the topic of government backdoors and the constitutionality of them. I really didn't want to do it on P2P apps since a bunch of people are doing it already, but if I can get convinced to do it, then I'll do it.

I was also thinking of doing it on some part of the DMCA, but probably not on the DVDJon case.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

Write about how the GPL limits and/or stifles innovation because truly innovative ideas are most always sold for profit first and are then filtered down to the OS community.

If you have a million-dollar idea, would you implement it in a licensing scheme where you HAVE to give it away? No - you'd sell it first, and THEN release it to open-source.

THINK ABOUT IT: how many truly innovative ideas have we seen from the Linux community? It's all the same stuff with every distro. But Microsoft has Pocket PC, XP, set-top boxes, etc. It's because MS is well-funded.

The fun with Linux is putting the same old distro on Microsoft stuff (X-box, Pocket PCs, etc.). The fun with a for-profit software company is innovation and new products. The Linux community lags behind due to its very nature.

 

[Orsorum]

Well, I was going to refer you to my sister's paper on domain name dispute resolution, but apparently it's not available online. Darn San Diego law review.

 

[axelfox]

Originally posted by: Orsorum
Well, I was going to refer you to my sister's paper on domain name dispute resolution, but apparently it's not available online. Darn San Diego law review.

Double darn . I'll make a note of the topic, though. Thanks.

 

[axelfox]

bump

 

[axelfox]

^