EFFector Vol. 21, No. 41 December 12, 2008 editor@eff.org A Publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation ISSN 1062-9424 : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : In our 493rd issue: * MUSIC LABELS ARE FINALLY TALKING ABOUT VOLUNTARY COLLECTIVE LICENSING (VCL) ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES, an idea that EFF has been advocating since 2003. Under the proposed scheme, students would be able to pay a fee and would receive the authorization to download whatever they like, in whatever format they prefer, using whatever software they desire. The project would create a new, nonprofit collecting society to divide the fee amongst artists and other rightsholders. For more about the emergence of VCL talks: http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2008/12/labels-open-collective-licensing-campus : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : EFF Updates * Obama's Transparent Transition The Obama-Biden Transition Team has announced that it will post policy documents from most meetings with outside groups. http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2008/12/obama-launches-innovative-open-government-effort * Internet Censors Must Be Accountable for What They Break Internet filtering often leads to unintended consequences, especially when it comes to user-generated content. http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2008/12/internet-censors-must-be-accountable-things-they-b * MPAA Asks for More Copyright Surveillance of Internet Documents from the MPAA's meeting with the Obama-Biden Transition Team have been posted to Change.gov. Comments from the public are encouraged. http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2008/12/mpaa-obama : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : miniLinks ~ Obama May Keep CIA Chief Michael Hayden, a major player in the Bush administration' wiretapping program, may stay on as head of the CIA under Obama. http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/12/us-news-says-th.html ~ Panel to Call for Review of Wiretapping Scholar The House Select Intelligence Oversight Panel plans to ask the NSA to open a formal investigation into whether NSA wiretaps were improperly used in the trial of Ali al-Timimi. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/08/washington/08nsa.html ~ Reselling MP3s: The Music Industry's New Battleground? A new music service promises to help digital music customers exercise their first sale rights. But is it legal? http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10120951-93.html : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : Announcements * Celebrate EFF's 18th Birthday Party on January 7 2009! Come celebrate EFF's 18th year of defending digital rights with our biggest bash yet! Special guest DJ Spooky will be rocking the DNA Lounge in San Francisco, with help from Bootie mashup party pioneers Adrian and the Mysterious D, as well as copyfighter and Surya Dub DJ Kid Kameleon. Party with us from 7 p.m. until ???. We'll be asking for a $25 donation at the door to fund our work defending your digital freedom, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Please RSVP to events@eff.org. 21+ only, cash bar. Pre-pay for the party using our new Happy Birthday donation page, and you'll have the option to get a discounted membership! As always, membership includes great EFF swag - perfect for wearing to an EFF party. Please use this URL: http://secure.eff.org/happybirthday Thanks for your support of EFF! We look forward to seeing you there! *Give the Gift of EFF this Holiday Season Can't think of a great gift for that special friend of freedom in your life? Give the gift of membership! EFF gift memberships come with the same great premiums as our other memberships, plus you have the option of sending a snazzy email notification to the recipient perfect as a last-minute gift idea. If stocking stuffers are what you're after, check the EFF shop, which is full of great swag under $10. http://secure.eff.org/giftmembership : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : Administrivia EFFector is published by: The Electronic Frontier Foundation http://www.eff.org/about Editor: Sara Bassett, Membership Services Assistant sara@eff.org Membership & donation queries: membership@eff.org General EFF, legal, policy, or online resources queries: information@eff.org Back issues of EFFector are available at: http://www.eff.org/effector/