Technology

UHLC professor Gebru says copyright law struggles to protect group creativity

Published

4 months ago

August 14, 2024

HOUSTON, Aug. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Memes, dance crazes, hackathons and traditional cultural expression are increasingly important to how we express ourselves. Despite their popularity and impact, these collaborative creative efforts face significant challenges in gaining protection and enforcement under current copyright law.

“Solo and team authorship(s) are covered, but copyright law fails in the third category – communal authorship,” said University of Houston Law Center Assistant Professor Aman Gebru.

In his paper “Communal Authorship,” Gebru explores the legal challenges and raises critical questions about copyright law’s ability to adapt to these evolving forms of creativity.

Forms of communal creativity often involve contributions from countless individuals, complicating traditional notions of ownership and copyright.

“Now we’ve come to learn that usually, creators are standing on the shoulders of giants, which is to say you build on what you’ve read before, what you’ve consumed before. We’ve ignored that for a while and just said, ‘It’s a single person or a single company that owns the copyright because they created it, and they deserve to get all the benefits.’ But now, especially because of technological advancements, we’re seeing instances where a single unit of expression, like a book or a photo or a musical work, is actually the result of hundreds or thousands of people contributing. It’s not easy to define the thing because it’s constantly changing,” Gebru said.

“Memes are the perfect of examples because there are usually hundreds of thousands of variations of a meme, especially if it’s a viral one.”

Communal authorship challenges the very core of copyright law because it has relied on a fictitious notion of a solo author since its inception and implementation in the 18th Century, explained Gebru.

“We have complicated this universe of rights, given that the subject matter of what’s protected has always been expanding. Then technology comes in, first the printing press, then computers and now artificial intelligence, all these advancements keep disrupting the system. Every now and then we have to update how the rights are acquired and how they are enforced. It’s definitely more challenging.”

Gebru said all is not lost: “In the past, it was really hard to trace authors or owners of the copyright, but now you have the internet making it easier.”

His fascination with copyright law was sparked during law school. “I took a course in intellectual property law, this area of law we decided to use to govern the creative industries. I was drawn to it because I love music, movies, and books. It was so fascinating to me that we have created this theory for why people need to own expressions and inventions. It’s one of the most creative areas of law. It’s one of those advanced areas where you have to go through multiple steps of logical analysis before you can agree with this idea of owning something you can’t touch or feel.”

University of Houston Law Center media contacts: Carrie Anna Criado, UH Law Center Assistant Dean of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-2184, cacriado@central.uh.edu; Bonnie Buffaloe, Communications Manager, 713-743-9137, blbuffaloe@uh.edu.

About the University of Houston Law Center

The University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) is a dynamic, top-tier law school located in the nation’s 4th largest city. UHLC’s Health Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Part-time programs rank in the U.S. News Top 10. It awards Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees, through its academic branch, the College of Law. The Law Center is more than just a law school. It is a powerful hub of intellectual activity with more than 12 centers and institutes that fuel its educational mission and national reputation. UHLC is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.

About the University of Houston

The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter for excellence in undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation’s fourth-largest city and one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse regions in the country, UH is a federally designated Hispanic- and Asian-American-Serving institution with an enrollment of more than 47,000 students.

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SOURCE University of Houston Law Center

Technology

New Generation Centralized Control System Promotes “Integrated Operation Monitoring”

Published

9 minutes ago

December 26, 2024

BORTALA, China, Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On December 26, personnel at the monitoring operation and maintenance center of the State Grid Bortala Power Supply Company were conducting acceptance testing for the new generation centralized control system. The company is actively promoting the application of this new system to facilitate “integrated operation monitoring” and enhance the risk management capabilities and equipment refinement levels of the power grid.

The new generation centralized control system serves as a technical support system for monitoring the operational status and fault defects of grid equipment. It acts as the “eyes” and “hands” for managing the operation of power grid equipment. Compared with the old Open3000 system, it optimizes the human-machine interface, refines system functions, and achieves comprehensive awareness of equipment status, defect detection, and proactive early warning, thereby providing efficient information processing capabilities to ensure that monitoring personnel can supervise equipment operation in real time.

During the system construction process, the company actively adapts to changes in production models, scientifically formulates project timelines, and deepens new operation and maintenance management models, such as “unattended + centralized monitoring” and “equipment owner + general practitioner.” This enhances the construction of the new centralized monitoring system and the integration of substation sites, providing comprehensive and robust monitoring support for the reliable operation of the Bortala power grid.

Up to now, the company has completed the construction of the main station of the new generation centralized control system, software and hardware debugging, graphic drawing and other tasks, as well as the station-end access of the new generation centralized control system for 54 substations, the entry of monitoring information into the database, and the forwarding of the front-end data of the new generation centralized control system within the centralized control range. The company carries out the orderly supplementation of monitoring information points for access devices and the verification of remote control information at substations.

In the next step, the company will actively explore digital transformation, strengthen modern team construction, and innovate practices in intelligent monitoring and business collaboration, all aimed at advancing the construction of modern centralized control stations to ensure the safe and stable operation of equipment.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/new-generation-centralized-control-system-promotes-integrated-operation-monitoring-302339181.html

SOURCE State Grid Bortala Power Supply Company

Technology

BC.GAME Launches Monkey King-Themed Slot Game Wukong

Published

9 minutes ago

December 26, 2024

NICOSIA, Cyprus, Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — BC.GAME has launched its latest slot game, Wukong, inspired by the highly acclaimed Black Myth: Wukong, a groundbreaking AAA game that has captivated players worldwide. Officially released on December 24, this 6-reel, 5-row slot game allows players to experience the essence of Wukong’s legendary journey while aiming for rewards of up to 10,000 times their bet.

The game incorporates iconic symbols and elements from Black Myth: Wukong, such as the Ruyi staff, gourd bottles, and treasure pearls, designed to recreate the mythical atmosphere of the original story. The addition of the Sticky Symbols feature enhances gameplay by keeping special symbols locked in place during free spins, significantly increasing the chances of winning and unlocking larger rewards.

Dark Visual Design and Storytelling Behind Wukong

The visual design of Wukong draws from traditional Chinese art styles, blending elements from Journey to the West. The reels are filled with recognizable symbols like the Ruyi staff, gourd bottles, and treasure pearls. These symbols immerse players in the mythical world of the story, faithfully recreating key moments from the novel, such as Sun Wukong’s havoc in Heaven and his encounters with the White Bone Demon.

The game’s background is rooted in Journey to the West, where Sun Wukong embarks on a journey with the monk Tang Seng and his companions to obtain sacred scriptures. Each detail of the game is carefully crafted to bring this legendary tale to life, offering a unique gaming experience and a tribute to Chinese culture and mythology.

Key Features of the Wukong Slot Game:

Free Spins and Bonus Opportunities: Triggering free spins unlocks additional reward mechanisms, increasing the chances of landing big wins.

Sticky Symbols Feature: Special symbols remain in place during free spins, greatly enhancing winning potential.

Up to 10,000x Max Win: The game offers a maximum payout of up to 10,000 times the bet, providing significant winning opportunities.

“Wukong is not just about spinning reels; it’s about experiencing a rich part of Chinese culture. We’ve worked hard to ensure the game is stunning and fun and engaging for players, with layers of features that add excitement. We’re proud to offer a game that blends storytelling with gameplay, and we think players will love the journey through Wukong’s legendary world,” Jack Dorset, CEO of BC.GAME said.

About BC.GAME

BC.GAME is a leading online gaming platform that integrates blockchain technology and cryptocurrency into its casino games, by offering a secure, transparent, and decentralized experience, BC.GAME allows players to enjoy a variety of gaming options, including slots, table games, and live casino offerings. The platform is dedicated to providing players with exciting, fair, and innovative ways to engage with the world of gaming. citing, fair, and innovative ways to engage with the world of gaming.

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SOURCE BC.GAME

Technology

Infidigit Welcomes Pinaki Gupta as an Advisor to Foster Leadership and Drive Strategic Growth

Published

1 hour ago

December 26, 2024

MUMBAI, India, Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Infidigit, an AI-enabled digital growth partner known for delivering exceptional results in SEO, CRO, and digital growth, welcomes Pinaki Gupta as Director – Strategy and Oversight. Pinaki’s vast experience in driving business transformation and fostering innovation will be instrumental in shaping Infidigit’s strategic direction and positioning the organisation for long-term success.

With a career spanning global enterprises such as Tata Interactive Systems and MPS Interactive and as the founder of Pisarto, a prominent home decor marketplace, Pinaki has consistently driven innovation and growth. His expertise will play a pivotal role in further scaling Infidigit’s vision and helping it explore untapped opportunities in the dynamic digital marketing ecosystem.

Sharing his thoughts, Pinaki Gupta, said, “Infidigit’s rise as a leader in digital marketing has been remarkable. Kaushal and his team have built an organisation with a strong culture of innovation and performance that truly sets them apart. I am excited to join Infidigit as an Advisor to bring a new perspective and help evaluate business opportunities and accelerate their growth journey. Together, we will focus on building strategic frameworks that ensure Infidigit continues to thrive in an evolving digital-first world.”

Kaushal Thakkar, Founder and Managing Director of Infidigit, said, “Pinaki and I share a long and fruitful professional history, during which I’ve consistently been impressed by his incisive strategic mind. His knack for challenging the status quo and driving transformative change makes him an ideal fit for Infidigit’s ambitious growth trajectory. We’re excited to leverage his mentorship as we reach new heights, fortify our leadership team, and continue delivering exceptional results for our clients.”

Infidigit, under Kaushal Thakkar’s leadership, has consistently set benchmarks in SEO, CRO, and digital growth strategies. With over 100 award-winning campaigns, Infidigit has delivered measurable results across industries. Pinaki’s addition to the leadership team further strengthens its mission of combining innovation, leadership, and performance to help businesses grow sustainably.

About Infidigit:

Infidigit, an AI-enabled digital growth partner, empowers top brands to achieve impactful results through SEO, ASO, CRO, and data-driven digital strategies. At the forefront of AI innovation in marketing, Infidigit is developing a SaaS product to further simplify SEO. With a proven track record of measurable success, Infidigit partners with startups, MSMEs, and enterprises across diverse industries, enabling them to thrive in the digital-first economy. Their commitment to excellence is underscored by over 100 award-winning campaigns recognized by prestigious platforms such as the SMX, APAC Search Awards, ET BrandEquity Shark Awards, Sparkies and Exchange4Media IDMA. Infidigit continues to set new standards in digital marketing, driving sustainable growth and unparalleled success for its clients.

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