Roja Directa – a Coming Post-Copyright Era of Game Streams & Clips?

The tides continue to turn against the copyright control freaks. At least in Europe. A brief recap of the RojaDirecta battle: First, RojaDirecta wins a Spanish legal court case. Second, the US government seizes the US domain of RojaDirecta. Third, RojaDirecta files a lawsuit to compel the US to return their domain.

Fourth, and hopefully lastly, the highest EU court issues a decision that undercuts the copyright holders. In a landmark decision, the Court upheld the right of a UK pub owner to broadcast a game from a cheaper foreign telecast. Basically, folks in the UK now unquestionably enjoy the legal right to watch free Digisport Romanian broadcasts of games on their Sopcast Player. Cool. Granted, some fear this will eventually lead to expensive pan-European rights. However, these critics overlook key arguments in the decision that may usher in a new era of “public rights.” Continue reading “Roja Directa – a Coming Post-Copyright Era of Game Streams & Clips?” »

Roja Directa: The Empire Impotently Slaps Back, Impotently

Yes, the adverb says it all. And we have written on this topic before. Copyright holders tried to sue Roja in Spain, but lost because of “safe harbor” provisions in national law. US law has these as well. Basically, Roja does not control the content of its own site or reproduce the streams, therefore they are a conduit, not a content-stealing-creator.

Legalese? Kinda. But the implications for streaming websites would be terrible if they had to edit every aspect of user generated and submitted content. While they could merely react to complaints, the question arises: how can they test the authenticity of those complaints? Julien Asssange did not cringe at Swedish arrest warrants for sex crimes, but he flipped his shit when the US government asked him to sort through his wires to edit out sensitive content. Data management is costly, tedious, and boring.

So yes, my biases are on the table – like Roman Abramovitch, I like to sail my virtual yacht in safe harbors. But what makes me laugh is this…. Continue reading “Roja Directa: The Empire Impotently Slaps Back, Impotently” »

Landon Donovan Files Suit for Fan Support


Don’t make that face. Don’t lie to me. As an individual with a blog and access to Google search analytics, I know the superficial truth and the deeper truth. You hate Landon.The phrase “Donovan is a b$$$ch” populates my website with trolls in waiting. Yet the irony drapes the window of your soul like a curtain. You hate him, yet you actively seek to read about him?

I suggest professional help for the both of you. Like a failed marriage, attempts at reconciliation are a good idea. However, at some point you feel your stomach churn when you get a certain somebody’s tweets. The world turns and spontaneous calls to “check in” turn into needy cries for affection. But a professional can help.

As your trusted blogger, I will agree to file a fan’s dissolution petition for significantly less than the going “attorney” rate. And I’m not like that notary who filed a frivolous asylum petition that got your undocumented friend in hot water. Consto!

So let’s begin. Continue reading “Landon Donovan Files Suit for Fan Support” »

Can Anyone Truly Stop the Paradhina?

The International Football Association Board has issued a new rule ahead of this month’s World Cup. Law 14, concerning penalty kicks, now reads “Feinting in the run-up to take a penalty kick to confuse opponents is permitted, however, feinting to kick the ball once the player has completed his run-up is now considered an infringement of Law 14 and an act of unsporting behaviour for which the player must be cautioned.”

But why the change? Brazil. Yep. Brazil. We take a sabbatical from Spanglish to educate you on the Portuguesespeakerers. As best we can. Continue reading “Can Anyone Truly Stop the Paradhina?” »

Dollars vs. Sense: A Sign of the Times…

Blind Justice

What did you want for Chrismas? A new Ipod? A new laptop? Well, the mid and lower table sides in the Premiership, nay, the world, really wanted something much simpler – a coherent enforcement mechanism to punish guilty parties.  If Justice without Power is impotence, then power without justice is tyranny. And this Christmas, the Chelsea “appeal” that overturned their transfer ban shows once again that justice for some is not the same justice for all.

Yes, the Blues got a delightful Christmas gift. Bosingwa is out for three months, but no worries – they can just purchase a fill-in with the stadium naming right profits. Feliz navidad for the top of the table, but winter may be a time of desperation for the cash-strapped middle class. Make that may a will. Continue reading “Dollars vs. Sense: A Sign of the Times…” »

The MLS Labor Standoff – A Strike Out?

MLS No word generates more confusion in the American English language than “strike.” When referring to the long revered sport of bowling, a strike is when the player knocks down all the pins on his first attempt. A strike is desired. When referring to America’s national past time, baseball, a strikeout is when the pitcher manages to throw three strikes past a waiting batter. The batter is then “out.” Thus, a strike is undesirable.

And, of course, my preferred terminology is strike the verb – “to strike a match.” TV deals, expansion and the MLS Expansion Draft, Seattle sellouts: MLS is a league on the rise. Yet Grant Wahl‘s recent Becks book showed the pauper class primarily responsible, the overeducated and underpaid college graduates who toil from coast to coast in packed coach flights.

Well, they’re pissed. And the simmering tensions threaten to engulf a virgin forest of a league in the ensuing flames.  Continue reading “The MLS Labor Standoff – A Strike Out?” »

Sir Alex's Suspense-less Sentence

United Despite apology after apology, Sir Alex has been punished by the English Football Association for criticizing referee Alan Wily’s fitness after a 2-2 draw with Sunderland. Sir Alex was fined and banned from the touchline for 4 matches, 2 of them suspended.

Suspended? Basically, if Sir Alex “misbehaves” at a future date, he can be punished for the second offense in addition to being banned two games for the prior misconduct. I understand the rationale: deterrence. Supposedly, Sir Alex will not want to engage in risky behavior with the 2 games hanging over his head.

But does this rationale add up? Here’s how I think it will play out… Continue reading “Sir Alex's Suspense-less Sentence” »

Berbatov Clause is Coming to Town

I have one simple question: if the Spurs have truly spent a ton in the transfer market, then why do you not hate them as much as City? Granted, the Carlos Tevez posters were poor taste, but surely someone must hate Tottenham for their exorbitant cash splashery. Are Arsenal fans merely ahead of the curve? Explain yourself!

More importantly, where is all this money coming from? Is Harry Redknapp’s football manager deal really that lucrative? Or perhaps the Spurs board, in close consultation with an honorary member named Madoff, has imported the Pompey-funny-numbers-approach. Is an AIG mega sponsorship deal in the works? Continue reading “Berbatov Clause is Coming to Town” »