Techdirt: November 9-15 History – Tech News & Legal Tech
Techdirt’s “Years Upon Years” Roundup: Misinformation, Trade Deals, and Copyright Battles – A Look Back
This week, Techdirt revisits stories from five and ten years ago, offering a fascinating glimpse into the recurring themes of internet policy, misinformation, and the ongoing struggles over copyright and trade. From election anxieties to Hollywood lobbying,the past echoes surprisingly loudly in the present.
Five Years Ago: 2020 - Election Fallout and TikTok Drama
The week following the 2020 US presidential election was, to put it mildly, chaotic. Techdirt’s coverage from that time focused on the spread of misinformation, particularly surrounding election polls. The articles highlighted the difficulty of defining and addressing false details, especially when amplified by political actors.
The saga of TikTok also continued to unfold.The Trump administration’s attempts to ban the app where marked by inconsistency. A proposed ban was seemingly forgotten amidst election challenges, only to be resurrected and then ultimately stalled. Simultaneously occurring, the Trump campaign’s legal challenges to the election results were swiftly dismissed by courts, based on flimsy evidence. There was also pressure on then-FCC chairman Ajit Pai to halt his attacks on social media platforms,knowing his position was at risk with a change in administration.
Ten Years Ago: 2015 - TPP,SOPA 2.0, and Copyright Conflicts
Ten years prior, in 2015, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) was a major point of contention. Techdirt explained how industries like Hollywood, Big Pharma, and wall Street heavily favored the trade agreement, largely due to its potential to strengthen intellectual property protections.
The fight over copyright continued on multiple fronts. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) attempted to revive SOPA-like measures through the International Trade Commission (ITC), but their efforts were rejected by a court. Blizzard Entertainment once again sought to leverage copyright law to target bot-makers in online games. A new organization even emerged claiming ownership of the copyright to the “Happy Birthday” song, following a ruling that challenged Warner/Chappell’s claim. And, a judge again ruled the NSA’s phone records program unconstitutional.
The recurring themes across these ten-year snapshots are striking. the struggle against misinformation, the tension between innovation and copyright, and the influence of powerful lobbies on policy remain central to the tech landscape. The TikTok situation in 2020 foreshadowed the ongoing debates about platform regulation and national security concerns. The TPP discussions in 2015 highlight the enduring battle over intellectual property rights in international trade agreements. It’s a reminder that many of the challenges we face today aren’t new, but rather continuations of long-standing conflicts.
- lisapark
A Closer Look at Copyright Battles (2015):
The 2015 period saw a flurry of copyright-related disputes. Here’s a table summarizing some of the key cases:
| Case | Industry Involved | Outcome | Techdirt’s Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| MPAA’s ITC Plan (SOPA 2.0) | Hollywood (MPAA) | Rejected by Court | Highlighted the MPAA’s continued attempts to circumvent democratic processes to enforce copyright. |
| Blizzard vs. Bot-Makers | Gaming (Blizzard) | Ongoing Legal Battle | Demonstrated the tendency to misuse copyright law to control user behavior and competition. |
| “Happy Birthday” Copyright | Music publishing | New Claim Emerged | Showcased the absurdity of copyright claims extending to simple,widely-used |