বুধবার, ১৯ ডিসেম্বর, ২০১২

Google, AAP Settle Copyright Lawsuit | Poets and Writers

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) and Google recently resolved a seven-year legal standoff, settling their differences over Google?s digitization of copyrighted books and journals as part of the company?s Library Project. The settlement concludes a suit filed on behalf of Simon & Schuster, Penguin USA, John Wiley & Sons, McGraw-Hill, and Pearson Education in which the AAP claimed that Google?s Library Project, which makes digitized titles partially accessible online, was a copyright violation. While the financial details have not been disclosed, under the new agreement publishers have the ability to withdraw copyrighted works that Google has digitized and can also submit works for inclusion in the Google Books database. Google will provide electronic copies of the titles it digitizes to their publishers, who can then use them to create e-books.

In a statement, AAP president and CEO Tom Allen said the association is ?pleased that this settlement addresses the issues that led to the litigation. It shows that digital services can provide innovative means to discover content while still respecting the rights of copyright-holders.?

Google declined to comment on the specifics of the outcome, but in a recent statement, David Drummond, a Google senior vice president and the company?s chief legal officer, said, ?By putting this litigation with the publishers behind us we can stay focused on our core mission and work to increase the number of books available to educate, excite, and entertain our users.?

The Google-AAP settlement had no bearing on the Authors Guild?s copyright lawsuits?one against Google and one against HathiTrust, a collaborative effort by university research libraries and Google to digitize millions of books and journals. Judge Harold Baer? Jr. of the U.S. District Court ruled in favor of HathiTrust in October 2012, deciding that the collaborative project is not a copyright violation; the suit against Google, which was also filed in 2005, is still being argued in the courts.

The Authors Guild is asking that Google pay $750 for each copyrighted work it has digitized as part of the Library Project, which reportedly exceeds 20 million titles in total.

The guild declined a request for comment on its pending suit against Google, but in an October 2012 blog post on its website the organization responded to the judge?s ruling in the
HathiTrust matter, stating it ?disagree[s] with nearly every aspect of [Baer?s] ruling. We?re especially disappointed that the court refused to address the universities? [Orphan Works Project], which defendants have repeatedly promised to revive.? Developed by the University of Michigan Library in partnership with several universities across the country, the Orphan Works Project involves a plan to release out-of-print or otherwise unavailable books?all of which have been digitized by HathiTrust and are still subject to copyright, but whose authors or copyright holders, the project administrators claimed, could not be identified or contacted?to students and faculty within the participating university systems.

?Within two days of filing our lawsuit,? the blog post continues, ?Authors Guild members and staff found that the ?orphans? included books that were still in print, books by living authors, books whose rights had been left to educational and charitable institutions in the United States and abroad, books represented by literary agents, and books by recently deceased authors whose heirs were easily locatable.? In its most recent announcement, the University of Michigan Library?which admitted in 2011 that its original model was flawed?stated that the process of identifying true orphan works is still under way, and that there were no official plans to release titles.?

Kevin Canfield is a freelance writer living in New York City.? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Source: http://www.pw.org/content/google_aap_settle_copyright_lawsuit

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Extra Extra Monday: Student debt, river debates, lead contamination and opiate addictions

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Business, CAR, Drugs, Education, Energy, Environment, Government (federal/state/local), Health Care, Hospitals, Science, Tax fraud, Workplace

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Wrong-Way River
?Biologists predict the number of unwanted organisms moving on the Chicago canal will only grow until the waterway is somehow plugged. And it is much more than a Great Lakes problem because biological pollution travels both directions on this invasive species superhighway.?

The Morning Call
Amazon warehouse workers fight for unemployment benefits
?Its relationship with Amazon has made Integrity Staffing Solutions the biggest temporary-employment firm in the Lehigh Valley and one of the fastest-growing agencies of its kind in the country. Part of its role is fighting to keep its workers from collecting unemployment benefits after they have lost a job at Amazon.?

Welcome to IRE's roundup of the weekend?s many enterprise stories from around the country. We'll highlight the document digging, field work and data analysis that made their way into centerpieces in print, broadcast and online from coast to coast.Did we miss something? Email tips to web@ire.org

The Atlantic
In Southern Towns, 'Segregation Academies' Are Still Going Strong
?In the 1960s and '70s, towns across the South created inexpensive private schools to keep white students from having to mix with black. Many remain open, the communities around them as divided as ever.?

The Indianapolis Star
The China Letter
?Now the one person who knew the whole truth was dead, leaving a trail of documents and stories on two continents. They provide a few answers. But they raise plenty of questions, not least of which is why a state agency hired a highly persuasive but not particularly accomplished interpreter for the delicate task of luring international investment and jobs to Indiana.?

The Orange County Register
Universities with connections win most stem cell money
Repeated independent reviews of the agency, including one by the Institute of Medicine released this month, have found that its board is rife with conflicts of interest. In fact, of the $1.7 billion that the agency has awarded so far, about 90 percent has gone to research institutions with ties to people sitting on the board, according to an analysis by David Jensen at the California Stem Cell Report, which closely follows the agency's operations.

PublicSource
Shale drillers eager to move wastewater on barges
The shale gas drilling industry wants to move its wastewater by barge on rivers and lakes across the country. But the U.S. Coast Guard, which regulates the nation?s waterways, must first decide whether it?s safe.

Bloomberg
BP?s U.S. Suspension Allows Airport-Fuel Exception for Pentagon
?BP Plc (BP/)?s temporary ban from new U.S. government work now includes a bit of wiggle room for the Defense Department.

ProPublica
Karl Rove?s Dark Money Group Promised IRS It Would Spend ?Limited? Money on Elections
?In a confidential 2010 filing, Crossroads GPS ? the dark money group that spent more than $70 million from anonymous donors on the 2012 election ? told the Internal Revenue Service that its efforts would focus on public education, research and shaping legislation and policy.?

The Dallas Morning News
The Burden of Lead: West Dallas deals with contamination decades later
?The low-income neighborhood of older wood-frame homes in West Dallas is a far cry from the suburb of newly built brick houses in Frisco 30 miles to the north. But the two North Texas communities share a bond: Both were contaminated by industrial lead for nearly half a century.?

The Statesman Journal
When politicians gamble on developers with taxpayer money, who ends up paying?
?Public agencies often use tax-based resources to partner with private developers. Those deals can help transform blighted areas, but they also can become costly projects with dubious results. In a two-day series, the Statesman Journal explores local examples of how public-private partnerships have worked.?

The Columbus Dispatch
Federal student loans become constant burden
?But millions of others also are in default, and some have been there for years. To gauge the lingering consequences, The Dispatch collected and analyzed a random sample of 394 cases from the nearly 16,000 lawsuits that the U.S. government has filed against defaulted student-loan debtors since 2007.?

The Pioneer Press
Hooked on Opiates: More legal use leads to more addiction, crimes, deaths
?Last year, enough of the two leading painkillers -- oxycodone and hydrocodone -- was distributed in the state to provide 18 pills for every man, woman and child. That's up from two pills per person in 1997.?

Doctors face quandary of relieving pain, without feeding addiction
A growing number of health care groups in the Twin Cities are investing in strategies to make sure doctors don't serve as unwitting spigots of medications for addicts. But there's also concern that increased regulation could prompt physicians to stop prescribing medications to patients with legitimate pain-control needs.

The Charlotte Observer and the (Raleigh) News & Observer
Prognosis: Profits, The rising fortunes of Charlotte hospitals haven't always helped patients

"In the latest installment of their ongoing investigation into nonprofit hospitals, the Charlotte Observer and?News & Observer of Raleigh?reported Sunday that N.C.?patients are likely to pay more for routine health care if their doctors are employed by a hospital."
You can find Charlotte's stories here?and Raleigh's stories here.

Source: http://www.ire.org/blog/extra-extra/2012/12/17/extra-extra-monday-student-debt-river-debates-lead/

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Video: Engel on capture: 'There were mock shootings'

Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.

Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/50242038/

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মঙ্গলবার, ১৮ ডিসেম্বর, ২০১২

Mandatory WSIB Coverage in the Construction Industry Begins on ...

This is a reminder that effective January 1, 2013, amendments to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 (the ?Act?) will come into force to expand mandatory coverage requirements in the construction industry to include independent operators, sole proprietors, partners in a partnership, and executive officers in a corporation (subject to exemptions noted below).

The executive officers of a corporation to whom mandatory coverage will apply are those listed as officers in a corporation?s Articles of Incorporation and who physically attend at construction worksites, even if such attendance is limited.? Notwithstanding this, the WSIB reserves the right to determine who is an executive officer by examining factors related to the individual?s role and responsibilities.? However, as noted below, corporations will be able to exempt one executive officer from mandatory coverage.

Exemptions to mandatory coverage:

  • One Executive Officer / Partner ? A partnership or corporation may elect one partner or executive officer, respectively, for exemption from coverage provided that the chosen partner or executive officer does not engage in any construction work.? Periodic site visits are permitted by the exempted individual, provided that the partner or executive officer is not performing construction work on the site.
  • Home Renovations ? Independent operators, sole proprietors, partners, and executive officers who are engaged exclusively in home renovation work are exempt from compulsory coverage.

Some Executive Officers / Partners may already have private insurance coverage.? It would be prudent to determine the maximum coverage under such private insurance and compare it to the coverage provided by the WSIB to determine whether the appropriate insurance coverage has been obtained for each Executive Officer / Partner.

The WSIB has established a website devoted to informing business owners about the new mandatory coverage: www.BeRegisteredBeReady.ca

If you have any questions about how the new mandatory coverage will work, how these changes might affect your business, or any other questions relating to workplace law, please do not hesitate to contact a Mathews Dinsdale lawyer.

For more information on new developments in Workplace Law, please refer to our website at:
http://www.mathewsdinsdale.com/news-events/in-a-flash/

Click here for downloadable version

Source: http://www.mathewsdinsdale.com/mandatory-wsib-coverage-for-construction-industry-begins-on-january-1-2013/

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5 Essential Software Solutions for Small Businesses | New Job ...

Small businesses may not need complicated software solutions to manage day-to-day operations, but that doesn?t mean they shouldn?t give software due consideration. We look at some essential software solutions that benefit all small businesses.

There are a lot of things you need to consider when you set out to start your own business. You need to consider your target market, the demand for your product/service, premises, equipment, insurance, and staff. Something you don?t want to overlook is software. We?re not going to say that software can make or break your business, but we will say that the right software can take a lot of the stress out of managing things like accounts, staff rosters, stock, internal admin and correspondence.

Here are five essential software solutions that small business owners need to consider:

You need something that will protect your computers against viruses and other malicious attacks that either come from the internet or from staff innocently swapping files. There are a number of free anti-virus options available, but it?s usually better to spend the money and get top-notch security. Some of the best include Norton, AVG, ESET and McAfee.

You?ll probably need a professional accountant to help you with your tax once a year or, depending on how confident you are, to help you balance your books every month; but accounting software will help you keep on top of your finances on a day-to-day basis.

Accounting software also has payroll packages, which are essential if you?re going to employ anyone on a part-time or full-time basis. The software will help you work out the implications of things like bonuses, deductions, leave and taxes. Recommended accounting software includes QuickBooks and MYOB and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software packages, like Microsoft Dynamics.

Microsoft Office is the default package that includes all the programmes you should ever really need. Outlook helps you manage your email, Word has business templates for letterheads and whatnot, Excel has basic spreadsheets to keep sort information, as well as you basic invoice templates. PowerPoint is the go-to if you ever need to make a presentation.

You can get specialised admin software but many companies find MS works for them, no matter how big they grow.

Point-of-Sale software is great if you?re going to open a restaurant, diner or coffee shop. High-tech PoS software is designed to be ultra-secure so that you know exactly what has been ordered by which waiter, and exactly how much money has changed hands. Biometric readers ensure accountability so there is no finger-pointing if something goes wrong. PoS software also helps manage things like commissions, inventory and stock andensures that orders are properly transferred from between waiters and the kitchen.

Recommended PoS systems include Radiant, AIMso, Pacific Amber and Microsoft Dynamics.

  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

This is something that you?ll want to consider as your business grows. CRM software helps you manage things like sales, customer service and marketing. It helps you spot opportunities and capitalise on them. It also helps you spot trends within your existing customers, which you can leverage to gain new customers. Microsoft Dynamics has a great CRM packages that has been designed with SMEs in mind.

There are a lot of factors that contribute to a successful business; passion, dedication, hard work, marketing and quality products and services. A behind the scenes factor that aids overall operations is the software you use to manage various business functions. Don?t underestimate the importance of business software; it might not make or break your business but it can make your business easier to manage.

Written by Sandy Cosser on behalf of Dynamics Careers, a niche job portal that specialises in Microsoft Dynamics-related jobs, such as those for developers.

from your own site.

Source: http://newjobdescriptions.com/5-essential-software-solutions-for-small-businesses.htm

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Brain imaging identifies bipolar disorder risk in adolescents

Dec. 17, 2012 ? Researchers from the Black Dog Institute and University of NSW have used brain imaging technology to show that young people with a known genetic risk of bipolar but no clinical signs of the condition have clear and quantifiable differences in brain activity when compared to controls.

"We found that the young people who had a parent or sibling with bipolar disorder had reduced brain responses to emotive faces, particularly a fearful face. This is an extremely promising breakthrough," says study leader Professor Philip Mitchell.

Affecting around 1 in 75 Australians, bipolar disorder involves extreme and often unpredictable fluctuations in mood. The mood swings and associated behaviours such as disinhibited behaviour, aggression and severe depression, have a significant impact on day-to-day life, careers and relationships. Bipolar has the highest suicide rate of all psychiatric disorders.

"We know that bipolar is primarily a biological illness with a strong genetic influence but triggers are yet to be understood. Being able to identify young people at risk will enable implementation of early intervention programs, giving them the best chance for a long and happy life," says Prof Mitchell.

Researchers used functional MRI to visualise brain activity when participants were shown pictures of happy, fearful or calm (neutral) human faces. Results showed that those with a genetic risk of bipolar displayed significantly reduced brain activity in a specific part of the brain known to regulate emotional responses.

"Our results show that bipolar disorder may be linked to a dysfunction in emotional regulation and this is something we will continue to explore," Professor Mitchell said.

"And we now have an extremely promising method of identifying children and young people at risk of bipolar disorder."

"We expect that early identification will significantly improve outcomes for people that go on to develop bipolar disorder, and possibly even prevent onset in some people."

Results are published this week in Biological Psychiatry and come from the NHMRC-funded 'Kids and Sibs study', the biggest research study in the world focusing on genetic and environmental aspects of bipolar disorder. Based at the Black Dog Institute, the trial is still recruiting.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of New South Wales.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.


Journal Reference:

  1. Gloria Roberts, Melissa J. Green, Michael Breakspear, Clare McCormack, Andrew Frankland, Adam Wright, Florence Levy, Rhoshel Lenroot, Herng Nieng Chan, Philip B. Mitchell. Reduced Inferior Frontal Gyrus Activation During Response Inhibition to Emotional Stimuli in Youth at High Risk of Bipolar Disorder. Biological Psychiatry, 2012; DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2012.11.004

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/most_popular/~3/Fsk_Npf7McE/121217102649.htm

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Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey Brings Cheer to Troops Abroad on Second Annual USO Holiday Tour

Continuing a time honored tradition of taking celebrity sports figures and entertainers overseas to visit and uplift troops over the holidays, General Dempsey just wrapped up the first leg of his seven-day, four-country USO tour. Along for the spirit lifting journey abroad are: Washington Capitals forward Matt Hendricks, Washington Nationals pitchers Ross Detwiler and Craig Stammen, critically-acclaimed country music singer Kellie Pickler and comedian/CBS ?Excused? host Iliza Shlesinger.

Arlington, VA (PRWEB) December 17, 2012

Thousands of Servicemen and Women Come Together as the General Teams Up with Washington Nationals, Capitals, Kellie Pickler and Iliza Shlesinger for Spirited Trip Overseas

Twitter Pitch: @Martin_Dempsey @the_USO holiday tour w/ @KelliePickler, @NHLPA member Matt Hendricks, @Nationals @CStammen35, @NationalDet and @Iliza bring cheer to troops

ARLINGTON, VA. (Dec. 17, 2012) ? Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey wraps up the first leg of his annual USO holiday tour featuring Washington Capitals Matt Hendricks, Washington Nationals Ross Detwiler and Craig Stammen, critically-acclaimed country music singer Kellie Pickler and comedian Iliza Shlesinger. Bringing smiles, laughter and cheer to servicemen and women stationed in the Middle East, General Dempsey and his group are now venturing into the tour?s second phase.

DETAILS:

  • So far, the USO holiday tour has visited multiple military locations, including the USS John C. Stennis, as well as lifted the spirits of more than 4,200 servicemen and women.

  • Last December, General Dempsey led his first annual holiday tour as Chairman, delivering fun and cheer to more than 7,100 servicemen and women stationed in five countries. Capping off that tour, the group, along with President Barack Obama and other national leaders, attended a flag ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base that signified the official end of the eight-year war in Iraq.
  • The Chairman?s seven-day, four-country USO tour is designed to deliver a much-needed break to Marines, airmen, soldiers, sailors, coast guardsmen and civilian employees currently deployed or stationed overseas during the holidays. This year?s tour is comprised of multiple USO performances and an array of hospital visits and USO meet & greets, each tailored to bring a touch of home to troops.
  • This trip marks the first USO tour for Hendricks, Detwiler, Stammen and Shlesinger, and the sixth for Pickler, who traveled to Kuwait and Afghanistan in May 2012 as well as participated in her first USO holiday tour in 2008 led by former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen.
  • Drafted out of high school by the Nashville Predators in 2000, Hendricks played two seasons for the Colorado Avalanche before making his home with the Washington Capitals in 2010. Nominated for the Bill Masterton Trophy for two consecutive years, his career stats include 215 games played, 50 points scored and 22 goals. A native of Blaine, MN, Hendricks was a critical playmaker during the Capitals 2011-2012 playoff run.
  • A native of St. Louis, MO, Detwiler was selected in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft by the Washington Nationals. Starting with his first Major League win, he is 16-16 with a 3.29 earned run average in his last 58 games (44 starts). In 2012, Detwiler set a new career high with 10 wins and 105 strikeouts.
  • One of five members of the Washington Nationals inaugural ?05 draft class to reach the Majors, Dayton University product Stammen thrived in long relief in 2012. In his first complete Major League campaign, he led the bullpen with six wins and a 2.34 ERA. Stammen also ranked among the top National League relievers in innings (second, 88.1), wins (tied-fifth, six) and strikeouts (eighth, 87) this season.
  • The only female and youngest comedian to hold the title of NBC?s ?Last Comic Standing,? Shlesinger is host of the CBS syndicated comedy show ?Excused.? Originally from Dallas, TX, her TV credits include her own half hour special on ?Comedy Central Presents? as well as NBC's ?Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,? Comedy Central's ?Live at Gotham,? E! Network's ?Chelsea Lately,? ?The Soup,? NBC's?Last Call with Carson Daily,? among others. Coming up, Shlesinger can be seen in the upcoming TBS series ?The Last Laugh.?

QUOTES:????

Attributed to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey:


"Leading this USO tour overseas during one of the most difficult times of the year has been one of the many highlights of my trip. All of the stars with me, whom I consider my friends, have been nothing short of delightful. It is clear they genuinely care and support our nation?s troops, and that our men and women in uniform are grateful for their visit. The holidays are a time of sharing and we accomplished that with this trip.?????????

Attributed to Matt Hendricks:


" Participating in the USO holiday tour with General Dempsey has been an incredible experience so far. I am truly honored to have been in the presence of such brave men and women as the one's we have visited. It has really hit home for me to see the work that the USO does for these service members, how much it means to them and their morale, especially during this holiday time when they are far from home. It's so exciting to be a part of such an amazing mission. "

Attributed to Ross Detwiler:


?For me, the most unforgettable part of this trip has been showing my appreciation to the service members who enable us to lead the lives that we do while they?re out fighting for our freedom. I feel truly blessed to get the chance to meet so many brave men and women as part of this USO Holiday Tour with the Chairman."

Attributed to Craig Stammen:


?It has been such an honor to participate in this USO Holiday Tour with General Dempsey. This is definitely a once in a lifetime experience. I really appreciate the opportunity to personally thank so many service members for everything they do and let them know how much we support them back home.?

Attributed to Kellie Pickler:


"It brings me joy to be overseas with our service men and women during the holidays, and like all of my past USO tours, this year?s trip has been amazing, and I am grateful to be a part of it."

Attributed to USO President Sloan Gibson:


"As our nation celebrates the season of giving, it is important for us to focus on the service and sacrifices of our men and women in uniform. The USO is extremely grateful to General Dempsey for hosting this tour and to all of our celebrity volunteers for supporting the troops this holiday season.?

MULTI-MEDIA:

USO Tour Photos: http://bit.ly/RbdQyz

USO Fact Sheet: http://bit.ly/yaebvo

About the USO


The USO (United Service Organizations) lifts the spirits of America?s troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of places worldwide. We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases in the U.S. and abroad, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including forward-deployed troops, military families, wounded warriors and their families and the families of the fallen.

The USO is a private, nonprofit organization, not a government agency. All of our programs and services are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff. In addition to individual donors and corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by President?s Circle Partners: American Airlines, AT&T, Clear Channel, The Coca-Cola Company, jcpenney, Kangaroo Express, Kroger, Lowe?s, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Procter & Gamble, and TriWest Healthcare Alliance and Worldwide Strategic Partners: BAE Systems, The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft Corporation and TKS Telepost Kabel-Service Kaiserslautern GmbH & Co. KG. We are also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381). To join us in this patriotic mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.org.

Oname Thompson
USO
(703) 908-6471
Email Information

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/chairman-joint-chiefs-staff-general-martin-dempsey-brings-154223353.html

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