“[Sen. Al] Franken acknowledged that as a copyright holder himself, both as an author and former talk-show host, he believes that artists are entitled to legal protections. He stated that ‘Internet service providers must retain the right to control unlawful usage of the Internet,’ but he stopped short of saying how he defined ‘unlawful usage.'”
Author: Laura Collins Hughes
FTC Forcing Transparency In Bloggers’ Reviews
“[B]eginning on Dec. 1, bloggers who review products must disclose any connection with advertisers, including, in most cases, the receipt of free products and whether or not they were paid in any way by advertisers, as occurs frequently.”
Why Turn Stage For Popular Theatre Into An Opera House?
“[A] strong whiff of snobbery persists in the proposals from Manchester city council and the Royal Opera House, to overhaul Manchester Palace. The idea is to establish a northern outpost for the Royal Opera and the Royal Ballet, which is all very well, but Manchester already has a perfectly good opera house….”
Aided By Technology, Hunting For A Hidden Leonardo
“If you believe, as Maurizio Seracini does, that Leonardo da Vinci’s greatest painting is hidden inside a wall in Florence’s city hall, then there are two essential techniques for finding it. As usual, Leonardo anticipated both of them.”
Does National Anthem Have A Place As A Curtain Raiser?
“It can seem slightly odd. The concert hall is aglitter with expensive evening gowns and tails; the audience is seated; the lights go down; the conductor comes out; and suddenly the lights come up and everyone stands up, as if in school, and sings along. Then the ‘real’ music starts.”
Barnes Plans Find A Harsh Critic: Architect Robert Venturi
“In a letter to opponents of the move obtained by The Times, [Pritzker Prize-winning Philadelphia architect Robert] Venturi decries the $200-million project as ‘an indiscrete and ridiculous waste of money.’ The celebrated architect is the most prominent cultural figure in the city to publicly oppose the plan….”
With Income Falling, Movie Studios Are In Turmoil
“It used to be that Hollywood’s corporate parents could stomach a dry spell from their studio managers. But as DVD sales have collapsed by as much as 25% at some studios, access to outside financing has vanished and production and marketing costs remain sky-high, media companies are cracking under all the pressure.”
Barnes Plans Fail To Sway Opponents Of Move
“No interiors were included” among the plans unveiled yesterday for the Barnes Foundation’s new home, where officials have long said they will “replicate the floor plan of the Merion galleries, as well as the precise arrangement of paintings and objects in those galleries. … Even so, opponents of the move reacted negatively to the plans.”
Where Is The Outrage? Not In This Year’s Turner Show.
“Arts commentators may feel disoriented. Without the shock factor to discuss, what can you say about this year’s event?”
Bookies Say Hilary Mantel Has Some Booker Competition
“A late run of support for Simon Mawer has sent the author shooting from outsider to second favourite in the race for the Booker prize, as judges prepare to decide on a winner this afternoon. … Mawer is now at 7/2, behind [Hilary] Mantel at 10/11….”