$1.6m for uploading pirate copy of Super Mario Bros Wii
IT'S game over for one over-zealous player who was fined $1.6m for illegally copying and uploading a pre-release version of a popular game.
James Burt, 24 from Brisbane, received an early copy of Nintendo's Super Mario Bros Wii and made it available for download from a website, which has since been shut down.
As a result of his actions the Federal Court ordered Burt to pay Nintendo $1.5m in damages and also cover the $100,000 in court costs.
Super Mario Bros Wii, which was due for official release on November 12, 2009, was copied and offered by Burt online from November 6.
Once Nintendo was aware of the breach the company employed a forensic investigator which eventually tracked down and revealed Burt as the offender.
The game had already been downloaded "many thousands of times" according the Nintendo's legal representatives Maddocks Lawyers in Melbourne.On November 23 Nintendo obtained a Federal Court search order for Burt's residence in the Brisbane suburb of Sinnamon Park and obtained evidence which was used in the case.
Nintendo Australia managing director Rose Lappin says the case a victory against piracy.
‘Anti-Red Bulls’ target troubled sleepers
FORGET energy soda drinks designed to pep you up a new batch of relaxation tonics intended to help you sleep are now available on the US market, the New York Daily News reported.
The non-alcoholic drinks, with names like iChill, RelaxZen and Dream Water, have been dubbed "anti-Red Bulls" and are now are appearing on store shelves throughout the country. The drinks are marketed to teens trying to wind down or adults who have trouble falling asleep.
The relaxation drinks are growing in popularity, raising about US$20 million ($23.1 milion) in sales a year, compared with $5 billion for energy drinks.
But medical experts have warned the sleep-inducing melatonin in the drinks may be unsafe.
IHN Show-Episode 48
I Have Nothing Episode 48
This weeks episode we have RU486, Stephan, Haevy,
Morpse, Cerys, BSV, Koba, Mephyt, Nox, Yugosaki,
Syntax.
Disclaimer-Stephan
Opening Song - Autonation by Patient Zero
Ending Song - Violent Lie by Patient Zero
Anthrax contaminated heroin spreads
BRITISH authorities today warned drug users that heroin in London was highly likely to be contaminated with anthrax, after a first confirmed case there and following nine deaths in Scotland.
"While public health investigations are ongoing, it must be assumed that all heroin in London carries the risk of anthrax contamination," said Dr. Brian McCloskey, who is director of the Health Protection More..Agency (HPA) in London.
"Heroin users are advised to cease taking heroin by any route, if at all possible, and to seek help from their local drug treatment services."
McCloskey added that the risk to the general population was "negligible."
Games clampdown on India beggars
New Delhi has launched a campaign to clear the streets of beggars as the city prepares to host this year's Commonwealth Games.
Mobile courts in the Indian capital are conducting summary trials of beggars in an effort to revamp the city's image before October's games.
It is estimated that Delhi is home to about 60,000 adult beggars and, according to experts, nearly half of the 100,000 street children beg for a living.
The courts are now rotating through sections of New Delhi, conducting summary trials on beggars brought before the courts by police raids.
Nameless Review Show Episode 3
Nameless Review Show Episode 3
Host-Bsv
Reviews- Darksiders, BoarderLand Expansions-Zombie Island of Dr. Ned, Mad Moxxi's Underdome.
Intro and Outro music - Freakdance by Patient Zero
Film industry loses iiNet download case
The Australian film and television industry has lost a case against a major internet service provider whose customers downloaded pirated movies and television programs.
The case against iiNet was filed in the Federal Court by a number of applicants including Village Roadshow, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, 20th Century Fox, Disney and the Seven Network.
The legal action followed a five-month investigation by the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft.
The companies claimed iiNet infringed copyright by failing to stop users engaging in illegal file sharing.
But today the Federal Court in Sydney ruled in the internet service provider's favour.
Justice Dennis Cowdroy said it was "impossible" to find against iiNet for what its users did.
"It is impossible to conclude that iiNet has authorised copyright infringement ... (it) did not have relevant power to prevent infringements occurring," he said.
The judge ordered the studios to pay the court costs.
Outside court, Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft executive director Neil Gane said he was disappointed with the decision.
He said the case was lodged to try to protect the livelihoods of the thousands of Australians who work in the television and film industries.
Mr Gane said he was confident that the Federal Government would now review the laws surrounding copyright infringement.
He said it was too early to confirm if an appeal would be lodged.
"We will now take the time to review the decision before making comment," he said.
Precedent?
The case could potentially set a precedent establishing to what extent Australian internet companies are responsible for illegal downloads on their systems.