Noteworthy News

[The Architect Of Fate]

So IA is still using this thread to whine 

[The Architect Of Fate]

Ukraine war contributes to famine in Africa

https://www.npr.org/2022/05/18/109973375...on-drought

More than  in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya, according to a new report by Oxfam and Save the Children. That's up from over 10 million last year.

[Angrboda]

As a consequence of US copyright law, entertainment giant Disney could soon lose the exclusive rights to some of the characters most responsible for the brand’s universal recognition, including the mouse that acts as its mascot.

Mickey Mouse will enter the public domain in the year 2024, almost 95 years after his creation on 1 October 1928 – the length of time after which the copyright on an anonymous or pseudo-anonymous body of artistic work expires.

Daniel Mayeda is the ​​associate director of the Documentary Film Legal Clinic at UCLA School of Law, as well as a longtime media and entertainment lawyer. He said the copyright expiration does not come without limitations.

“You can use the Mickey Mouse character as it was originally created to create your own Mickey Mouse stories or stories with this character. But if you do so in a way that people will think of Disney – which is kind of likely because they have been investing in this character for so long – then in theory, Disney could say you violated my copyright.”

Mickey Mouse first appeared in the black and white cartoon Steamboat Willie. The cartoon was a pioneer in animation for its use of synchronized sound – where movements on screen correspond to the music and sound effects, launching one of the most recognizable images in film and television.

According to the National Museum of American History: “Over the years, Mickey Mouse has gone through several transformations to his physical appearance and personality. In his early years, the impish and mischievous Mickey looked more rat-like, with a long pointy nose, black eyes, a smallish body with spindly legs and a long tail.”

While this first rat-like iteration of Mickey will be stripped of its copyright, Mayeda said Disney retains its copyright on any subsequent variations in other films or artwork until they reach the 95-year mark.

Other characters have already moved into the public domain: with unpredictable and somewhat shocking results.

Honey-loving bear Winnie the Pooh from the Hundred-acre Woods and most of his animal friends entered public domain in January this year and some have wasted no time in capitalizing on the beloved characters.

Actor Ryan Reynolds made a playful nod to the now free-to-use Winnie the Pooh in a Mint Mobile commercial. In the advertisement, Reynolds reads a children’s book about ‘Winnie the Screwed,’ a bear with a costly phone bill.

More disturbingly, Pooh and his close pal Piglet are now the stars of Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey, a soon-to-be released horror film, written and directed by Rhys Waterfield, that sees the two go on a bloody rampage of killing after being abandoned by their old friend, Christopher Robin.

Mayeda said it’s important for artists like Waterfield not to cross the line when it comes to creating new works based on the old characters. Certain aspects of a character that the general public recognizes as part of the Disney brand are off-limits for artists who wish to make use of the copyright expirations. If a particular work confuses the public into thinking it is actually affiliated with Disney, there could be major legal consequences.

“Copyrights are time-limited,” Mayeda said. “Trademarks are not. So Disney could have a trademark essentially in perpetuity, as long as they keep using various things as they’re trademarked, whether they’re words, phrases, characters or whatever.”

Disney may still maintain trademarks on certain catchphrases or signature outfits worn by the characters, such as Pooh’s red shirt, which Waterfield intentionally avoided using in his movie.

In an interview with Variety, Waterfield said: “We’ve tried to be extremely careful. We knew there was this line between that and we knew what their copyright was and what they’ve done. So we did as much as we could to make sure [the film] was only based on the 1926 version of it. No one is going to mistake this [for Disney]. When you see the cover for this and you see the trailers and the stills and all that, there’s no way anyone is going to think this is a child’s version of it.”

Disney still retains exclusive rights to the bouncing tiger, Tigger, for one more year since his first appearance wasn’t until 1929 in The House at Pooh Corner, the series of stories written by Winnie the Pooh creator AA Milne.

(Guardian)

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Burger King Can Suck It

Fifty-four-year-old Kevin Ford, who works at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport, went viral after a clip showed him opening up a goodie bag given to him by HMS Host, the company from which Burger King hires staff.

In the bag were a selection of small gifts including a Starbucks reusable cup, some pens, a bag of Reese's and a movie ticket.

Although Ford said he was ‘thankful’ for the gift, the clip soon went viral as people shocked that he was given such a paltry bag of goodies in return for years of service. 

Shortly after the clip was first shared, Ford’s daughters set up a GoFundMe, which has been flooded with donations and now stands at a whopping $300,000. 

Boru

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Several Dead And Wounded In Danish Mass Shooting

Danish police say several people were shot dead and one suspect has been arrested after gunfire rang out at a busy Copenhagen shopping centre, with emergency services rushing to the scene on Sunday evening.

The number or condition of all the people struck by shots was not immediately available amid confusion over what had occurred at one of Scandinavia’s biggest malls.

Boru

[Fake Messiah]

Boris Johnson resigns as U.K. leader.

So what's next? Is this a good thing?

[HappySkeptic]

Boris Johnson resigns as U.K. leader.

So what's next? Is this a good thing?

Yes.  His cabinet revolted.

I believe that the British form of government is far superior to the U.S. one.  Sure, the crown is an anachronism, but in the right hands it is a symbol of stability and some guard against tyranny. 

The real advantages are:

• the government can actually get things done
  
• the people hold the government accountable when it screws up
  
• the prime-minister is a "first among equals" and can be kicked out by his own party at any time.
  

In Canada, party leaders often play power games to ensure their continued power (such as personally approving all riding nominations), but they can still get a revolt, or be subject to a full party leadership vote.

[TheJefe817]

I believe that the British form of government is far superior to the U.S. one.  Sure, the crown is an anachronism, but in the right hands it is a symbol of stability and some guard against tyranny. 

I was just watching the recording of Matt Dillahunty's Wednesday show on youtube from last night, where his guest was Andrew Seidel, my favorite constitutional scholar, where they discuss rather in-depth the tyranny of recent decisions.  (And the fact that I actually specified that I have or need to have a favorite constitutional scholar is pretty telling in and of itself).

The Hang-Up w/ @ Dillahunty Constitutional Attorney @AndrewLSeidel Talks SCOTUS's New Rulings

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Boris Johnson resigns as U.K. leader.

So what's next? Is this a good thing?

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Boru

[zebo-the-fat]

Boris Johnson resigns as U.K. leader.

So what's next? Is this a good thing?

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Boru

Yes, but no idea who would replace him that isn't as bad.
It seems that our government (and probably most other governments too) consider that rules don't apply to them only to the "common people" (they can have parties when covid rules ban them for the plebs) Truth seems to be optional, I really can't think of anyone I would want in charge, the whole thing is a stinking mess