EFFector Vol. 23, No. 11 April 19, 2010 editor@eff.org A Publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation ISSN 1062-9424 effector: n, Computer Sci. A device for producing a desired change. : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : In our 534th issue: * LITTLE MORE THAN TWO WEEKS AFTER EFF TESTIFIED to a Senate subcommittee that federal electronic privacy law needs to be updated to protect against secret video surveillance, Senator Arlen Specter responded by introducing a bill to do just that. The Surreptitious Video Surveillance Act of 2010 creates serious criminal and civil penalties for secret, nonconsensual video surveillance inside any temporary or permanent residence, be it your house, your apartment, or your hotel room. EFF looks forward to working with Congress to ensure that the bill properly balances privacy rights, public safety, and the free speech rights of photographers, videographers and journalists. For more about the bill: http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/04/senators-introduce-bill-response-effs-call-new For EFF's original testimony at the Senate hearing: http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/03/privacy-protections-against-hidden-video * GO TO THE DEFCON HACKING CONFERENCE BY SUPPORTING DIGITAL FREEDOM! EFF would like your help spreading the word about our efforts to protect and defend coders' rights by encouraging your friends and neighbors to join you in supporting us. In return, EFF wants to help the best EFFvangelists enjoy Defcon 18 in style! Register for the Defcon Getaway Fundraising Contest, and receive a personalized referral link to send your friends and family. The contestant to raise the most money for EFF between now and June 30th will win two Defcon 18 Human badges, a room at the Riveria hotel, and access to great parties. There are other prizes as well, and all winners will receive EFF stickers, hats, posters, and more! To register now: http://www.eff.org/defcon For more about the Defcon Getaway Fundraising Contest: http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/04/eff-proudly-presents-first-annual-defcon-getaway : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : EFF Updates * EFF Hires New International Rights Director A leading expert on international privacy issues, Katitza Rodriguez will be working to improve digital liberties with respect to law enforcement, government surveillance, and cross-border data flows worldwide. http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/04/eff-hires-new-international-rights-director * Government Withdraws Warrantless Email Request The government backed down after an EFF-led coalition argued that the seizure of email would violate privacy rights. http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/04/government-backs-down-yahoo-email-privacy-case * UK Passes Internet Censorship and Disconnection Law The UK Parliament passed the controversial Digital Economy Bill over the loud objections of Internet users in the UK and beyond. http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/04/u-k-passes-internet-disconnection-law * Viacom Attack on YouTube Threatens Speech and Innovation Viacom and others in the Viacom v. YouTube case have, in effect, urged the court to make content filtering mandatory for all online service providers that host content on behalf of users -- a terrible idea that would controvert Congress' goal of reducing the legal uncertainties facing companies trying to innovate on the Internet. http://www.eff.org/press/archives/2010/04/12 * The Entertainment Industry's Dystopia of the Future Big Media's submission to the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator reveals a vision of a future in which their lopsided priorities are woven deep into the Internet, law enforcement, and educational institutions. http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/04/entertainment-industrys-dystopia-future * Tiffany v. eBay: What About Put-Back? The ruling highlights a problem with bogus "trademark infringement" complaints online -- unlike copyright, there's no well-defined procedure for users to get their speech back online. http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/04/tiffany-v-ebay-what-about-put-back * Tell Burning Man To Respect Your Digital Rights The organizers of the annual art and music festival are soliciting community feedback on their camera policy, which came under scrutiny after they attempted to secure ownership of all images taken at the event. http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/04/tell-burning-man-you-care-about-your-digital : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : miniLinks ~ Malware Targets BitTorrent Users Scammers pretending to being backed by the MPAA are offering bogus "settlements" to P2P users. http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/04/ransomware ~ The Truth About ACTA Michael Geist explains the secret copyright treaty, and why it matters. http://blip.tv/play/AYHVigQC ~ Dial-Up Law in a Broadband World The New York Times editorial board calls on Congress to update electronic privacy law. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/opinion/09fri1.html ~ Internet Provider Defies Internet Censorship The UK parliament passed the Digital Economy Bill, requiring ISPs to police their users. But TalkTalk is refusing to play along. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/apr/08/internet-piracy-bill : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : Announcements * EFF Seeking Staff Intellectual Property Attorney Dream job alert: EFF is seeking an intellectual property staff attorney for its legal team. Responsibilities include litigation, public speaking, media outreach, plus legislative and regulatory advocacy, all in connection with a variety of intellectual property and high technology matters. Qualified candidates should have at least four years of legal experience, with knowledge in patent law and at least one other IP specialty (copyright, trademark, trade secret). Litigation experience is required, including significant experience managing cases, both overall case strategy and day-to-day projects and deadlines. Candidates should have good communication skills and interest in working with a team of highly motivated lawyers and activists in a hard-working nonprofit environment. Strong writing and analytical skills as well as the ability to be self-motivated and focused are essential. Tech savvy and familiarity with Internet civil liberties and high tech public interest issues preferred. This position is based in San Francisco. Interested applicants should submit a resume, writing sample, and references to ipjob@eff.org. * Volunteer/Deferred Open Government Legal Fellow Dream fellowship alert: EFF has a opening for a deferred associate or a full-time volunteer to contribute to our open government work, the FOIA Litigation for Accountable Government (FLAG) Project, in our San Francisco office. This fellowship will involve handling Freedom of Information Act requests and follow-on litigation. The position includes motion practice, negotiation with the government, strategic decision making and reviewing the documents we receive to find out what's interesting and useful to the public debate, then getting them posted to the website in an organized manner. These are very good skills for young lawyers. The position is unpaid, but we'll work with the various deferral programs available to young attorneys. The ideal candidate will possess these qualifications: * Demonstrated interest in, and knowledge of, civil liberties issues involving emerging technologies. * Excellent writing and communications skills, preferably demonstrated in a track record of blogging, investigative reporting, or other similar activities. * Ability to manage and organize large quantities of documentary materials, and to present them to an audience in a compelling and informative manner. * Litigation background desirable, but not required. * Familiarity with basic information technology tools and, preferably, experience in designing and/or managing web-based resources. Contact foiafellow@eff.org if you're interested. * Work With EFF and Tor for Google's Summer of Code Interested in working with EFF or Tor, and getting paid for it by Google? If you are a student and a coder, then we have good news for you: A few of our projects have been accepted for Google's Summer Of Code 2010. At EFF, there are three projects we're focused on: First, TOSBack, which tracks changes to the terms of service of the Internet's most popular websites. Second, OurVoteLive, which tracks problems in elections with polling places and voting machines across the US. Third, you could help us implement improvements to Switzerland, a passive IP-layer network neutrality testing system. You can read more about our possible summer projects here. In addition, our friends and colleagues at the Tor project have dozens of ideas for improving their software, which allows users to route around Internet censorship and surveillance. For more about the Google Summer of Code with EFF: http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/03/gsoc * Help EFF Go to SouthEast LinuxFest! EFF is looking for donations of airline miles, flight vouchers, and hotel points for travel to SouthEast LinuxFest in Spartanburg, SC, as well as other conferences and speaking engagements. If you have enough airline miles for a free ticket and would like to send an EFF staffer to a conference, let us know, and we will help you with the process of making the reservation. Please note that at this time we are unable to combine miles from multiple individuals. We are also looking for hotel rewards points to help reduce our overall travel costs. As a thanks for your donation, we can offer a free membership and a mention in EFFector (if you'd like). Please contact aaron@eff.org if you can help! * "Life 2.0" at the San Francisco International Film Fest EFF is proud to be a presenter of Life 2.0, directed by Jason Spingarn-Koff, at the 53rd San Francisco International Film Festival (April 22-May 6). EFF consulted with the filmmakers during the making of this film. Documented both online and in the real world, Life 2.0 examines the effects both humorous and unnerving of the virtual world Second Life by focusing on the lives of its users and chronicling their successes, failures, lives and loves. Showings at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas: Friday, April 30 at 3:00 PM Sunday, May 2 at 1:00 PM Wednesday, May 5 at 9:15 PM For more information on Life 2.0, visit http://fest10.sffs.org/films/film_details.php?id=45 For tickets and more information on SFIFF53: http://fest10.sffs.org : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : * Administrivia EFFector is published by: The Electronic Frontier Foundation 454 Shotwell Street San Francisco CA 94110-1914 USA +1 415 436 9333 (voice) +1 415 436 9993 (fax) http://www.eff.org/ Editor: Richard Esguerra, EFF Activist richard@eff.org Membership & donation queries: membership@eff.org General EFF, legal, policy, or online resources queries: information@eff.org Reproduction of this publication in electronic media is encouraged. Signed articles do not necessarily represent the views of EFF. To reproduce signed articles individually, please contact the authors for their express permission. Press releases and EFF announcements & articles may be reproduced individually at will. Current and back issues of EFFector are available via the Web at: http://www.eff.org/effector/
