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Like many other countries around the world, India’s copyright law allows rightsholders to limit access to pirate sites. Major entertainment industry companies regularly obtain injunctions that require local Internet providers to block websites to prevent piracy. In essence, these measures are straightforward as specific domains are identified for blocking. However, injunctions can be issued before infringements take place and can be dynamic or temporary, depending on the situation. In the early years, blocking injunctions were used as a blunt instrument, instructing Internet providers to block legal platforms such as Vimeo, while GitHub and the Internet Archive also ended up in the crosshairs years ago. GitHub Blocking Troubles Accuracy-wise, some progress has been made over the years but that doesn’t mean that overblocking is no longer an issue. Throughout this year, several GitHub users have reported persistent problems accessing the platform. The issues related to GitHub appeared in January of this year, when several Indian developers noted that they could no longer use the site properly. The main Github.com domain was still accessible but raw.githubusercontent.com, where code is typically stored, was blocked. This made it impossible for developers to work on projects and several applications that used GitHub-hosted code started to return errors. “This URL has been blocked under the instructions in compliance with the orders of a Hon’ble Court,” a typical error message read. Since some pirate apps use GitHub it’s possible that raw.githubusercontent.com was listed in a copyright-related injunction, resulting in massive overblocking. As far as we know, the court order in question hasn’t been published but several ISPs were affected. Problems Persist Despite Reversal After some backlash, the underlying order was reportedly retracted, after which GitHub started working properly again for most Indians; but not for all. After nearly a year, there are still widespread reports from people who can’t use the site. The problem is discussed repeatedly on social media and local news outlets with users from ISPs such as JIO and Hathway complaining that raw.githubusercontent.com is not accessible. “From the past few weeks I am unable to access raw.githubusercontent.com on my Jio network,” one Redditor writes, with many others sharing a similar experience. On X, several users are reporting that they continue to have issues too. Not all subscribers appear to be affected and other Internet providers don’t appear to have the same issue. This suggests that the affected ISPs didn’t properly unblock the URL earlier this year when the court order was retracted. GitHub Responds GitHub is aware of the problems in India. The Microsoft-owned platform informs us that it’s investigating the issue to see if full access for all users can be restored. “As the global home for all developers, we firmly believe that everyone should be able to contribute to the future of software development regardless of where they live,” GitHub informed us. “We are aware of reports that there may be issues with accessing the raw.githubusercontent.com domain in India and are investigating to determine how access can be restored.” Transparency / Speculation The lack of transparency regarding Indian court orders and retractions doesn’t help to solve the problem. To the public at large, it still isn’t clear on what grounds GitHub was partly blocked. One potential tie-in could be the PikaShow app. After becoming the official sponsor for the Afghani cricket team during last year’s Asia Cup, Indian rightsholders pulled out all the stops to block the app. Through an injunction, GitHub was ordered to disclose information on the developers behind the PikaShow account, but it’s possible that a separate blocking order also targeted the site’s raw.githubusercontent.com URL. The above is pure speculation, which emphasizes the need for more transparency. That’s especially important now that Indian authorities are requiring domain registrars to comply with blocking orders too if they want to continue operating in the country. Meanwhile, the developers affected by the continuous blockade have to find ways around the technological restrictions. Luckily, that’s not too hard for this tech-savvy audience. From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more. View the full article

Damon Sharpe, a true industry titan, continues to prove his mastery across various facets of the music world. With a successful artist career boasting support from the likes of Armin van Buuren, David Guetta, and Martin Garrix, along with releases on Armada, Insomniac, Hood Politics, Hysteria and dance radio chart success, Sharpe has firmly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. Not content with just his own success, Damon Sharpe took on the role of a tastemaker by founding Brainjack Music. This label is synonymous with his radio show on Insomniac Radio and has played a pivotal role in catapulting artists to stardom and delivering hit songs to the masses. Sharpe’s talents extend beyond the electronic dance music realm, as evidenced by his work producing for heavyweights like Jennifer Lopez, Kylie Minogue, Pitbull, Ariana Grande and more. His diverse skill set positions him as a jack of all trades in the music industry. That’s why we’re absolutely thrilled to cover Damon Sharpe’s latest release, “Wherever You Go.” This track is a perfect blend of nostalgia and freshness. Viiq’s ethereal vocals add a magical touch, making it a must-listen for fans of innovative and captivating electronic music. Do yourself a favor and dive into the sonic world of Damon Sharpe’s “Wherever You Go” – , available on Apple Music and Spotify on Brainjack Music and Liftoff Recordings. Catch Damon Sharpe live at Slate NY on Saturday November 18th 2023 for his very first east coast headline show with support by Alo Wiza and Torie. This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: Brainjack Music Founder Damon Sharpe Drops EDM Perfection With ”Wherever You Go” View the full article

In the dynamic landscape of contemporary music, a new star is rising, captivating audiences with her unique blend of rhythms and melodies. Meet NIVANA, the pop sensation who is redefining the music scene with her electrifying fusion of funk, disco, and pop. NIVANA isn’t just a musician; she’s a movement, bringing retro charm into the modern era with a style that’s as refreshing as it is nostalgic. From a young age, NIVANA was enchanted by the world of music. Raised in a quaint town, she found her escape in the timeless tunes of disco legends. The pulsating beats and catchy melodies of icons like Donna Summer, Michael Jackson, and Earth, Wind & Fire didn’t just fill her ears; they fueled her dreams. These influences are evident in her music, which sparkles with the same shimmering energy that once lit up dance floors around the world. NIVANA’s songs are more than just a collection of notes and lyrics; they’re a vibrant tapestry of emotions and experiences. Her music resonates with those yearning for freedom, self-expression, and unadulterated joy. Her voice, unique and unmistakable, weaves through her tracks, creating an immersive experience that transports listeners straight to a neon-lit dance floor where the energy is infectious, and the night never seems to end. But NIVANA’s impact extends beyond her music. She stands as a beacon of inclusivity and empowerment, using her platform to foster a sense of community and celebration among people from all walks of life. Her message is clear: everyone is welcome in the world she’s creating, a world where individuality is not just accepted but celebrated. As NIVANA continues her meteoric rise in the music industry, she invites us all to join her on this exhilarating journey. With each song, she redefines what disco means for a new generation, proving that this beloved genre can evolve while staying true to its roots. So, get ready to dance, to feel, and to be part of a musical revolution with NIVANA, the artist who’s not just making music but making history. This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: NIVANA: Reviving Disco with a Modern Twist on ‘Merry Me Santa’ View the full article

Over the past four years, anti-piracy campaign Operation 404 has become a permanent fixture in the enforcement calendar with the results of new phases announced every few months. The results of the fifth wave of Operation 404 were released in March 2023; around 200 illegal streaming and gaming sites, 128 domains and 63 music apps were reported blocked, with raids on locations across Brazil leading to 11 arrests. While Brazil has been the focus of Operation 404 from the very beginning, the campaign has received considerable support from international rightsholders, government bodies and law enforcement agencies. The latest results relating to the sixth wave (Operation 404.6) released this week reveal progress and continued support from a laundry list of international contributors. They include: City of London Police, United States Department of Justice, UK Intellectual Property Office, Peruvian anti-piracy group Indecopi, Argentina’s Public Ministry, a dozen Civil Police forces in Brazil, Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment, MPA Latin America, International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, US Patents and Trademarks Office, Brazilian Pay TV / Telecom Association, Latin American anti-piracy group Alianza, Premier League, Brazil’s National Council for Combating Piracy and Crimes Against Intellectual Property, the Entertainment Software Alliance, and Brazilian anti-piracy body APDIF. Sixth Wave of Operation 404 A statement from IFPI notes that Operation 404 remains one of the largest campaigns of its type. Thus far the operation has resulted in the suspension of nearly 1,500 domains, the removal of 780 infringing music apps, and delivery of more than 100 search warrants, IFPI says. Action against 12 major stream ripping and MP3 download apps supported the music industry in wave six, with IFPI reporting that collectively the apps received over 4.3 million downloads in Brazil alone. While the apps go unnamed, the global music industry group says that they were removed from major app stores and other sites offering them for download. Reports By Authorities in Brazil Information obtained from government and law enforcement resources reveals the execution of 24 search and seizure warrants; 22 in Brazil, and one each in Argentina and the United States. Reports indicate a total of 606 websites and applications blocked or suspended for illegal content streaming; 238 in Brazil, 328 in Peru and 40 in the United Kingdom. In some cases sites were deindexed from search engines and their accounts removed from social media by court order. How many of the affected domains are currently redirecting to the latest seizure banner is unclear. We can confirm the banner is hosted on a subdomain of gov.br, the Brazilian government’s website, and we include it below for reference and for being perhaps the most comprehensive notice of its type ever seen online. Local law enforcement agencies provide additional detail on operations carried out in their regions, some of which are summarized below. Premier League Piracy, IPTV Operator Raided Civil Police forces in several states are reported to have targeted the operators of websites and IPTV services offering illegal streams of Premier League matches. In Mato Grosso, a large state in west-central Brazil, police targeted what appears to be an illicit IPTV provider. Authorities say that the service’s records show it had more than 60,000 customers; its operators face potential prosecution for intellectual property crimes, money laundering, and criminal association. The Civil Police of Paraná (PCPR) report two search and seizure warrants executed against individuals suspected of ‘digital piracy’ offenses in the municipalities of Londrina and Assis Chateaubriand. Electronic equipment including cell phones and computers (image below) were seized as evidence. Police also carried out a search-and-seize operation at an apartment in Ponta Verde, Maceió. Their targets were a couple from Brazil’s smallest state, Sergipe, said to have been living locally for the past several months. Police believe the pair are guilty of copyright infringement offenses but at the time of the raid, only a 26-year-old woman, her daughters, and their nanny, were at home. According to his wife, the man was visiting the capital, Aracaju. That’s likely to have come as a disappointment to the Premier League, which had been reportedly working with police to target a pirate IPTV service and its operator at the Ponta Verde address. Nobody was arrested. Other targets reported locally include the VidMate stream-ripping app said to have been downloaded 870 million times worldwide with over 1.1 million active users in Brazil. Finally, reports indicate that the Peruvian government body Indecopi took action to block 157 domains dedicated to music piracy and stream ripping. There doesn’t appear to be any recent official reports of that nature but Indecopi has previously published lists of domains subject to blocking (1) including as part of Operation 404 (2). From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more. View the full article

Signed into law a quarter century ago, the Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA) aimed to equip copyright holders with new tools to protect their works online. A key element of the law requires online service providers to remove or disable access to infringing content in response to a takedown notice. The system isn’t bulletproof. Rightsholders repeatedly complain that their content swiftly resurfaces after it’s removed. At the same time, the takedown process is abused by bad actors to censor or remove material in bad faith. Shopify DMCA Harassment DMCA abuse is nothing new, but it’s rare for online platforms to take public action against it, let alone take the matter to court. In an attempt to protect its vendors, e-commerce giant Shopify is one of the rare exceptions. Last month, we reported that Shopify had filed a lawsuit against a “John Doe” who used DMCA takedown notices to remove listings from third-party stores. According to Shopify, the senders of these takedown requests did so without owning the rights. This alleged scammer isn’t the only one wreaking havoc on the platform. A few days ago, Shopify filed a fresh DMCA abuse complaint at a Florida federal court. This time, the e-commerce platform has a named target; Orlando resident Amir Mokrian, a.k.a Clayton Burnz. “Defendant Mokrian has repeatedly harassed, and continues to harass, Shopify merchants and Shopify itself through knowingly false allegations of copyright infringement. This lawsuit seeks to halt that misconduct and hold him accountable for the damage he has caused,” Shopify writes. Dozens of False DMCA Notices Shopify informs the court that it takes copyright infringement very seriously. The company receives thousands of notices each month and regularly removes shop listings deemed to be infringing. If a store owner is repeatedly targeted, they’re at risk of having their store closed completely. The e-commerce platform relies on a mix of both human and automated reviews to process DMCA takedowns. This works well in most cases but the process is not bulletproof, as this lawsuit exemplifies. Using several aliases including “Clayton Burnz”, Defendant Mokrian allegedly sent dozens of DMCA takedown notices to Shopify containing false claims. These requests targeted stores selling snore-reducing mouthguards and footwear insoles over alleged copyright infringement. However, according to Shopify, these notices were littered with false information. They didn’t include any legitimate copyright complaints but were merely intended to harm other merchants. Taking Out Competitors The reason for this behavior is obvious; according to Shopify, Mokrian was running competing stores. By taking out the competition, interest in their own products should rise. “It is plain that Mokrian submitted his fraudulent DMCA takedown notices for anti-competitive purposes. TeraNue—one of Mokrian’s stores on Shopify—sells snore-reducing mouthguards. Through his takedown notices, Mokrian targeted the same or similar mouthguard products sold by competing merchants,” Shopify informs the court. “X-Care—another Mokrian store on Shopify—sells foot insoles, the same type of product sold by Rizzsoles.com, a Shopify merchant Mokrian targeted with his false notices. Mokrian used takedown notices not in an effort to root out copyright infringement, but in an effort to root out competition.” One of Mokrian’s stores Shopify ended up removing 38 competing products based on these false takedown claims. While these decisions were ultimately reversed, serious harm was done to both the affected shops and the platform itself. The complaint notes that Shopify was financially impacted by the abuse. The company spent tens of thousands of dollars in personnel time and resources to address the issue. In addition, its goodwill was seriously harmed. Through the lawsuit, Shopify hopes to be compensated for its losses. In addition, the company asks the Florida court for an injunction against the Orlando resident, prohibiting them from sending any fraudulent DMCA notices going forward. — A copy of the complaint Shopify filed at the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida is available here (pdf) From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more. View the full article

Jack Antonoff and his band will also perform in the United Kingdom next year in support of their new albumView the full article

Multiple women have accused Diddy of abuse in complaints filed this monthView the full article

In the Crash musician’s own words: “charli xcx and george daniel fucking for life!!!”View the full article

The Outkast musician’s 12-minute-and-20-second New Blue Sun opener debuted at No. 90View the full article

The star of House of the Dragon and The Crown will produce and star in the limited series based on Cave’s 2009 novelView the full article

Created by software developer Elias Saba and released on the Amazon Appstore in November 2016, ‘Downloader’ offered two things; an empty URL field and a download button. Downloader was intentionally basic but as a former Fire TV Product Manager at Amazon, Saba knew that a simple tool to transfer files would solve a fundamental shortcoming. Over 50 million installs of Downloader to date speak for the software’s popularity but in May 2023, progress came to a screeching halt. Several Israeli TV companies filed a DMCA complaint at Google Play alleging that Downloader offered copyrighted content. The companies supplied no details of the content allegedly infringed and said nothing about how ‘Downloader’ somehow managed to violate copyright law. Google suspended Downloader leaving Saba no other option than to file a DMCA counternotice. The developer was forced to wait 10 business days for the complainants to respond and a total of 20 days for Downloader to be restored. After almost three weeks offline, Downloader had lost 47% of its active users. Just six months later and it’s happening all over again. Another Baseless Copyright Complaint Speaking with TorrentFreak last evening, Saba calmly explained that a new DMCA takedown notice, filed by India-based anti-piracy outfit Markscan, had resulted in Google suspending Downloader once again. The news was delivered by Google on Sunday evening via the notice below. Deficient DMCA Notice, Entirely Deficient Claims Given Downloader’s limited capabilities, even a sensible discussion on the merits would’ve required Markscan to come up with something special. In the event, the DMCA notice filed at Google Play falls substantially short of the established minimum standard for removing a single URL, let alone an app boasting 50 million downloads. In response to a request to ‘Identify and describe the copyrighted work’ allegedly infringed, the response ‘Properties of Warner Bros. Discovery Inc.’ is especially unhelpful. In 2022, Warner revealed that its library consists of more than 145,000 hours of programming, including 12,500 feature films and 2,400 television series comprised of more than 150,000 individual episodes. Alleging infringement of just one of these copyrighted works would’ve been trivial, had the DMCA notice stated a valid claim against an app that carries and indexes zero content, and is substantially less functional than a web browser. Google says that it was notified that Downloader “allegedly infringes upon the copyright of others, and violates applicable copyright laws in the relevant country/jurisdiction.” Logic suggests that any alleged infringement would indicate a violation of United States copyright law. However, if we take Markscan’s home turf as an example, are vague allegations acceptable in India? Just two examples picked at random (1,2, pdf) show that takedown notices filed by the same team offer a level of detail likely to meet standards almost anywhere. Why this wasn’t replicated in the complaint against Downloader raises serious questions. Another DMCA Counternotice, More Time Offline On Monday evening, Saba filed an appeal at Google Play and 24 minutes later received notification that it had been rejected. As a result the developer followed up with a DMCA counternotice. No response had been received at the time of writing. Shortly after, Saba was contact by Google AdMob who informed him that ads in the Downloader app will stop being served if it isn’t restored by Tuesday (today). The background to this message is interesting, as Saba explains. “You see, I never had ads in my app and relied solely on donation buttons in the app. But when the app was suspended last time, I learned those donation buttons stop working, even for people that already had the app installed,” he informs TorrentFreak. “As a backup plan, in case the app was suspended again, I added ads to the app for the first time. Now I know it was a mistake going with Google for the ads since, evidently, they break those as well when the app is suspended. I just can’t catch a break.” From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more. View the full article

In February, the musician and actress returns with a Prime Video special and her first studio album in a decadeView the full article

The New Orleans soul singer was behind one of Stax Records’ biggest hitsView the full article

Since their creation, the Danish trio WhoMadeWho has been a driving force in pushing the boundaries of music, seamlessly blending Indie, Disco, and Techno into an electrifying fusion that continually leaves audiences in awe. Comprising Tomas Høffding, Tomas Barfod, and Jeppe Kjellberg, the band has built a discography that spans over a decade. With a legacy that stretches from Circoloco to Coachella, their live performances have garnered a reputation for being nothing short of legendary. Memorable performances, such as the legendary Cercle appearance at Abu Simbel temple in Egypt, and their widespread collaborations with electronic music elites, have solidified their reputation as trailblazers in the industry. Their musical evolution is evident in their seven studio albums, with the 2022 release UUUU receiving widespread acclaim for its fresh and innovative sound. Now, they’ve announced their forthcoming and highly anticipated new live tour, promising to be a groundbreaking and unforgettable experience and will feature a brand-new mesmerizing stage design crafted in collaboration with the worldwide renowned architecture group BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), cutting-edge visuals brought to life by flora&faunavisions, EyeMix Studio, and Christopher Mulligan, and, of course, all of the signature sounds that have defined WhoMadeWho as a globally renowned electronic live-act. This tour is expected to showcase the band’s creativity, energy, and commitment to providing an unforgettable live experience. The future of live performance and electronic music is unfolding, and WhoMadeWho stands at its forefront. Check out the full list of dates below. This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: WhoMadeWho Shares Dates For Forthcoming Live World Tour View the full article

Multi-disciplinary musician and producer Lauren Mia recently released her highly anticipated debut album RE:BIRTH – an impressive 13 track composition is a vulnerable and symbolic tale of growth, self-reflection and actualization that drives through the tracks and into the spirit of her audience. Boasting expertly produced analog soundscapes and ferocious melodic chord progressions, the album expands upon the composer’s roots in Melodic Techno and Progressive House. Starting off with “Initium”, the Latin word for beginning, the album’s triad of singles leading up to its ultimate release follow, which put just a sample of Lauren’s musical range in the spotlight. Listeners saw the shadow-work inspired “Shadow”, plant medicine influenced “Ceremony”, and flow-state fueled “Ashes In Paradise” showcase the diversity to be expected from her first full body of work. With her first hard techno deliveries like “444”, expansive melodic spectacles like “OliM”, brooding progressive productions like “Fidelity”, and energetic, percussively eclectic installments like “Lakshmi” – RE:BIRTH is a full-bodied delivery of expansive electronic music that while varied, unequivocally boasts Lauren Mia’s impactful, dynamic signature sound throughout each of its measures. Watch the story to the album and have a listen below! This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: Lauren Mia releases impressive debut album – RE:BIRTH View the full article

Returning with his first release in two years, Martin Vogt, better known in the space as Haywyre, recently delivered his latest Monstercat single “White Lie”. Making a welcome return to the marquee electronic imprint after 7 years, “White Lie” is a buoyant, introspective production that sets the stage for a series of new releases fans can expect from Haywyre in the year ahead. Building with an expansive, brooding soundscape and striking vocals, the arrangement of “White Lie” leads into a driving, future-funk fueled breakdown. Featuring Haywyre’s diverse production palette, he fuses an unexpected blend of synths, strings, piano, bass and vocal chops with finesse for his return to Monstercat. On the new release, Haywyre shares, “I’m proud to finally get my first track in two years into the world. Especially one like ‘White Lie’, which I feel really shows a glimpse into where the Haywyre project is going.” Midwest US based Haywyre fuses his foundation classical and jazz piano training with an affinity for 21st century electronic production. With a history in live music preceding his foray into electronic, he delivers a dynamic, hybrid performance style to the stage. Haywyre has brought his future funk and melodic glitch-hop inspired sound to the stages alongside top acts of the likes of Griz, Zedd and Gramatik. Having done official remixes for major pop acts like Charlie Puth, in 2021 he received a GRAMMY nomination in the category of Best Remixed Recording for his remix of “Young & Alive” (Bazzi vs. Haywyre Remix). His songs have a laid-back yet adventurous feel, drawing from dubstep and glitch-hop while we simultaneously hear his background in funk, classical, jazz and house music perpetually shine through. After establishing his sound with early self-released albums such as 2010’s Of Mellows and Revelations, Haywyre produced more intense, complex works like 2016’s ‘Two Fold, Pt. 2’ (Monstercat), with nearly 50 million streams on Spotify alone, later switching to a futuristic disco/funk hybrid with 2018’s Panorama: Discover. Check it out below! This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: Haywyre returns to Monstercat for first original single after a two year hiatus – “White Lie” View the full article

Hart took a break from the ensemble earlier this year, citing a need to “resolve some old-school traumas”View the full article

The band’s sixth studio LP arrives February 23 via DominoView the full article

Popular Internet infrastructure service Cloudflare has come under a lot of pressure from copyright holders in recent years. The company offers its services to millions of customers including multinationals, governments, but also some of the world’s leading pirate sites. Cloudflare Must Stop Pirate Site Pirate sites have proven to be quite a headache for Cloudflare and have landed the San Francisco-based tech company in court on several occasions. This includes a case in Germany, where the local branch of Universal Music sued Cloudflare for offering its services to pirate site DDL-Music. The lawsuit initially didn’t make any headlines, but when Cloudflare displayed an ‘Error 451’ to DDL-Music users in early 2020, it was clear that something was up. The 451 error code is rare and typically reserved for cases where content has been made inaccessible for legal reasons. In this case, Universal obtained a preliminary injunction against Cloudflare that required the company to stop providing its services to the pirate site. Failure to comply could’ve invoked a fine of up to 250,000 euros ($274,000) or, even worse, Cloudflare’s managing director could’ve been sent to prison for up to six months. Cloudflare complied with the order but took the case to appeal. The case eventually made its way to the Cologne Higher Regional Court, which handed down a mixed decision earlier this month. Mixed Decision from Higher Court In its decision, the Court confirmed that Cloudflare must take action against the blatantly-infringing pirate site, dismissing Cloudflare’s concerns that this could lead to overblocking. According to the ruling, DDL-Music has no other purpose than to share pirated music and Cloudflare plays a central role in making the site available. The ruling will come as a disappointment to the Internet infrastructure company, but there’s a positive note as well. In addition to stopping its services to DDL-Music as a customer, Universal also wanted Cloudflare to block the site on its public DNS resolver 1.1.1.1. The Cologne court concluded that a DNS blockade would be a step too far, as Cloudflare’s DNS doesn’t play a central role in making the site accessible. There are other DNS providers that do the same. “[D]efendant’s DNS resolver does not play a ‘central role’ in ensuring that the disputed music album could be freely shared on the Internet. The use of the defendant’s DNS resolver was neither necessary to find the IP address via the domain name, nor does it make access easier,” the court writes. “The domain name could be resolved into the IP address just as easily using any other DNS resolver. The defendant’s public DNS resolver 1.1.1.1 is just one of many freely accessible DNS resolvers, the best known and most used of which is the Google public DNS resolver 8.8.8.8. The defendant’s DNS resolver therefore had no significant relevance to the accessibility of the infringing content of the disputed domain.” According to the verdict, a DNS provider operates in a purely passive, automatic and neutral manner. This sets it apart from hosting providers or CDN services, which can invoke liability under Germany’s Telemedia Act (TMG) and EU law. The DNS Blocking Frontier The Cologne Higher Regional Court’s ruling is significant, and not just for Cloudflare. After many countries established that pirate sites can be blocked by Internet providers, copyright holders are trying to expand similar obligations further up the intermediary chain. In this case, the Court established that CDN services can be liable but drew the line at DNS resolvers. That could prove to be important for DNS resolver Quad9, which faces a similar legal battle in Germany. The issue isn’t limited to Germany either. A similar court order in Italy requires Cloudflare to block access to three pirate sites through its public DNS resolver. These and other court orders will ultimately lead to important precedents going forward. However, the direct effect of the recent German ruling is rather limited. As Tarnkappe rightfully notes, DDL-Music has been offline since 2021, so there’s no need to block it at all. Heise reports that the German Federal Music Industry Association (BVMI) is nonetheless pleased with the outcome, as it shows that Cloudflare plays a “central role in making illegal content accessible.” According to the music group’s Managing Director of Legal & Politics, René Houareau, the decision sends “a further signal against the illegal use of music recordings by tightening liability as real perpetrator liability”. From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more. View the full article

Some 18 months after his arrest, the Atlanta rap legend will fight racketeering charges including murder, robbery, and illegal drug salesView the full article

Over the past few years, increased enforcement by players in both the private and public sectors has made Denmark one of the riskiest places in Europe for pirate site operators and prolific file-sharers. Relentless pushback from local anti-piracy group Rights Alliance and its partnership with Denmark’s Special Crime Unit (National enhed for Særlig Kriminalitet (NSK)) has led to many site closures, arrests, and subsequent prosecutions. The most recent reported conviction saw a 37-year-old man receive a 60-day suspended prison sentence in September for pirating more than a thousand works through local BitTorrent trackers. In connection with this and other successes over the past few years, last month Rights Alliance revealed that Thomas Heldrup, the anti-piracy group’s Head of Content Protection & Enforcement, had been running an undercover operation in piracy circles since 2016. Fears of Infiltration Concerns that a site might have a spy on board certainly aren’t unusual; for many site operators, however, it’s the kind of thing that only ever happens to someone else, usually those perceived to be less careful than them. In some cases that might be true but Denmark’s distinguishing features as a country may introduce complications. A relatively small population and a language rarely spoken outside Denmark’s borders, presents an increased chance of local piracy communities overlapping. Combine that with a shared reliance on locally attractive content and one site’s security issues risk becoming a much broader problem, as the last couple of years appear to show. Until recently, however, there were few signs to suggest those at the top of the so-called ‘Piracy Pyramid‘ may also have become targets in Denmark. Nevertheless, some of those with connections to Scene entities are starting to ask questions. 47-Year-Old Arrested in Denmark In a statement last week, Denmark’s National Unit for Special Crime (NSK) announced that as part of a long-running investigation, a man was arrested on November 22 and then charged with copyright infringement offenses. NSK said its officers searched the home of a 47-year-old man in South Zealand (Sydsjælland) and seized IT equipment in connection with illegal file-sharing and “copyright infringement of a particularly serious nature.” “The case is about an organized network that has illegally shared extremely large quantities of films and TV series via file sharing services,” said NSK Police Commissioner Anders-Emil Nøhr Kelbæk. While noting that NSK had no further information to offer at this time, Kelbæk said he was pleased that NSK had arrested another suspect believed to have played a ‘significant role’ in the unnamed network. At Least Five Arrests Thus Far Last week’s arrest was only the latest in a series of arrests carried out as part of the same long-running NSK investigation into the illegal distribution of movies and TV shows. In late August, NSK arrested four people on suspicion of sharing “extremely large quantities” of movies and TV shows. NSK raided addresses in South-West Jutland, North Zealand and Bornholmand. A 43-year old was arrested at the last location, but it’s claimed he lives elsewhere. In common with last week’s arrest, all were charged on suspicion of “particularly serious” copyright infringement offenses. In an almost identical statement to that issued last week, Commissioner Anders-Emil Nøhr Kelbæk said the case was about “an organized network that shares extremely large amounts of data, presumably in the form of films and series.” Does Available Information Really Indicate a ‘Scene’ Bust? TorrentFreak sources report concerns that last week’s arrest may be linked to Scene groups. Terminology used by NSK doesn’t instantly rule that out and does seem to suggest something potentially more significant than other arrests over the past few years. According to NSK, the August arrests took place on August 28, 2023. Using information in Scene release databases we looked for Danish Scene groups and/or groups that were releasing Denmark-focused content before that date but then made no releases afterward; while that wouldn’t provide conclusive proof that a group had been targeted, the method has proven useful in the past. Findings as follows: ⦿ Nordic blu-ray release group (including Danish) paused Aug 13, restarted Oct 16. Nothing since ⦿ TV show release group paused Aug 28 to Sep 1 but continued as normal ⦿ At least one TV show group made dozens of releases on Aug 28 suggesting little ‘panic’ on that date While activity late August suggests nothing especially out of the ordinary, activity since the arrest last week stands in contrast. Notable Danish content release group inactivity since November 22 arrest as follows: ⦿ ‘HYGGE’ | TV shows | 550+ releases since March 23 | Last release Nov 23, 2023 07:43:39 ⦿ ‘HiVE’ | TV shows | 650+ releases since March 23 | Last release Nov 23, 2023 05:03:52 ⦿ ‘DKiDS’ | TV shows | 3000+ release since March 23 | Last release Nov 21, 2023 10:34:50 ⦿ ‘DANES’ | TV shows | 640+ releases since May 23 | Last release Nov 22, 2023 08:13:21 ⦿ ‘JYSK’ | TV shows | 520+ releases since March 23 | Last release Nov 23, 2023 08:20:39 TF is informed that some groups may have gone dark simply out of an abundance of caution. That may or may not include all or none of the above. It’s also possible that the groups have nothing to release. Furthermore, there are many other global groups with no obvious links to Danish content or Denmark that also stopped releasing on November 21. The reasons for this are unknown but holidays in the United States may play a role. In an information vacuum, rumors are extremely common but if the authorities and/or Rights Alliance used intelligence obtained in other operations to infiltrate Scene groups or their affiliates, it wouldn’t be a surprise. It wouldn’t be surprise to hear that any group downtime was directly linked to turkey and/or alcohol consumption either but in any event, the next couple of weeks should prove informative. From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more. View the full article

TL;DR: A lifetime subscription to Rosetta Stone (all languages) is on sale for £119.68 this Cyber Monday, saving you 52% on list price. The ability to communicate in multiple languages is more than just a skill; it's a valuable asset with far-reaching benefits. And this deal on all-language access to Rosetta Stone for life gives you access to all 25 languages for just £119.68 with coupon code ROSETTA. Learning a new language comes with benefits like allowing you to communicate with others while travelling and much more. According to Cambridge University Press and Assessment, learning a new language later in life is "a powerful way to exercise your brain," partly because you are "forming new connections in the brain and strengthening nervous system links." Rosetta Stone has been a leader in language learning for nearly 30 years and has been used by names like NASA and Calvin Klein. Rosetta helps you develop your understanding of each language through reading, writing, and speaking. It does this through interactive software and TruAccent, its speech-recognition technology, that analyses the words you say to perfect your pronunciation. You'll start out matching words with images and basic conversational skills about things like shopping, ordering at a restaurant, and more. You can then level up to more complex topics like sharing opinions and discussing pop culture, which could come in handy while travelling abroad. This software works on various types of devices, including PCs, Macs, tablets, and mobile devices. However, customers can only access one language at a time, but can switch between them at any time. This beloved language-learning software can help you build fluency and confidence in your choice of 25 languages. If you've been wanting to learn a new language, this could be a great time to start. Get a lifetime subscription to Rosetta Stone's 25 languages for £119.68 when you use the code ROSETTA at checkout. Opens in a new window Credit: Rosetta Stone Rosetta Stone: All Languages (Lifetime Subscription) £119.68 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal View the full article

Christopher Sluka is usually known for his serious, highly technical, expertly composed orchestral work with a hint of synth, but his newest effort is anything but serious. Unless you’re from Mexico or the American Southwest, that is. Those of us living anywhere from Colorado to Baja California know just how important tamales are year-round, not to mention Christmas. Now, “Christmas Tamales” is the anthem to the corn-based parcels we always needed for the season, thanks to Sluka and his band, the aptly named SLUKA. The lore of the tamale is vast and varied, its origins dating back millennia to Mesoamerican cultures but their current form, which inspired Sluka’s rousing Christmas ode, are still very much a staple wherever one might find a large Hispanic culture. Made of a corn masa base and wrapped usually in corn husks (in Southern Mexican and Central American areas, banana leaves are also a possible choice), they vary in terms of their flavor and filling. Traditional savory choices are usually chicken or pork with some sort of mole (sauce), but there are veggie green chile varieties as well as loads of sweet options with white corn and filled with raisins, pineapples of mangoes. In Southern California where Sluka likely discovered the traditional pocket food, tamales are available all year long at restaurants, taco trucks and even at many places of business, where industrious home cooks will sell them to hungry workers. These homemade, fresh tamales are considered the best ones among SoCal residents in the know; until Christmas, of course, when loads of abuelas from all different regions and will all different recipes get out their big pots and start to make them for family and friends. The Christmas tamale-giving season usually starts right after Thanksgiving (with delicious turkey tamales making an appearance, of course) and lasts through the New Year. Anyone lucky to be a family member, friend or neighbor to someone who makes tamales knows truly how magical they are, and it’s clear this is the type of tamale about which Sluka and his band are singing their praises. The song itself is much more lighthearted and fun than SLUKA’s usual work, which tends to be dense, emotive and complex. Clearly intended at least partially for kids, “Christmas Tamales” is joyful song, easy to sing along to with pretty simple lyrics, almost like a Christmas Carol. It’s still got that SLUKA flare, however, with loads of warm, ambient sound design and synth supporting the well-composed and produced music. Sluka’s vocals themselves are booming and jovial with just a touch of cheek, sort of like Jack Black’s in Tenacious D songs. A perfect carol to everyone’s favorite Christmas food in Mexico and the American Southwest. Sluka and his team also created an equally fun and family-forward animated video for “Christmas Tamales” using AI made by SLUKA bass player, Anna Eppink. The video is a wild ride through a Christmas wonderland where yetis shop for and prepare the Christmas tamales. Tamales also dance in the sky as the band play the song. Whimsical, festive and kind of trippy, it’s what one would expect if SLUKA did a Christmas video. While there are likely other songs about the Christmas tamale tradition, this one done with such gusto and fun means “Christmas Tamales” could be an instant classic. With nearly 200k views on the YouTube video already and 30k streams on Spotify, it’s well on its way to becoming a household holiday song and it’s a great way to tease SLUKA’s upcoming album. This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: Thank You SLUKA! There’s Finally a Song About ‘Christmas Tamales!’ [Video] View the full article

TL;DR: As of Nov. 26, you can get up to $20 in Amazon credits or save up to 22% on select Amazon gift cards for Cyber Monday. Opens in a new window Credit: Bath & Body Works Amazon Gift Cards + Coupon Codes Get up to $20 in Amazon Credit Get Deal Black Friday and Cyber Monday throw a lot at you. Shoppers are inundated with deals on everything from streaming services to robot vacuums, which can be a little overwhelming. But you know what the most savvy shoppers prioritise? Gift cards and digital credit, that's what. From Black Friday through Cyber Monday, Amazon is offering a wide range of gift card deals and coupon codes that could help you to make light work of your holiday shopping. For the easiest gift idea, this Cyber Monday deal includes discounted gift cards you can buy to give away, saving you up to 22% on the likes of Yankee Candle, the NFL Shop, and Bath & Body Works. Amazon is also providing coupon codes for Amazon credit with certain gift cards, so long as you purchase the qualifying amount. This is a smart way to save some cash while giving someone a gift they'll love. To take advantage of these coupon codes you simply need to: Add the gift card to your cart with the qualifying amount Use the corresponding coupon code for your purchase When your credit is ready, you'll get a confirmation email within 24 hours of your order The credit will be automatically applied to your next eligible purchase at the checkout Some of the coupon codes for gift cards you can find are: Lyft: Buy $100 to save $20 with code T5LYF Home Chef: Buy $50 to save $10.50 with code T5HC Under Armour: Buy $50 to get $10 credit with code UAT523 Apple: Buy $100 to get $15 credit with code APPLET5USAP If you're just dipping your toe into this year's Cyber Monday offering, this is a great place to start. If that toe dip becomes a marathon shopping session, you can find an extensive list of the best deals right here. View the full article

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer. If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for Nov. 27's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you. Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing. Not the day you're after? Here's the Wordle answer for Nov. 26. What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N. What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though. Why are there two different Wordle answers some days?Though usually Wordle will only accept one correct solution per day, occasionally it has rebelled against the norm and deem two different answers acceptable. This is due to changes the New York Times made to Wordle after it acquired the puzzle game. The Times has since added its own updated word list, so this should happen even less frequently than before. To avoid any confusion, it's a good idea to refresh your browser before getting stuck into a new puzzle. Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Orange-ish brown hair color. Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no letters that appear twice. Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter T. SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. What's the answer to Wordle today?Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution. Drumroll please! The solution to Wordle #891 is... TAWNY. Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article. View the full article