China introduces new rules against internet copyright piracy News
China introduces new rules against internet copyright piracy

[JURIST] Seeking to curb piracy, China has announced new rules to take effect later this month that will make ISPs liable if they host content that violates copyright. ISPs that don't remove illegal content face fines [China Daily report] of up to $12,000. The rules come in response to a call from President Bush for China to abide by international trade rules [Reuters report]. The US Supreme Court is currently deciding [MGM v. Grokster, background] if P2P file-sharing companies are liable for infringing use by third parties. AFP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism

November 9 is the International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism [UNITED factsheet]. On November 9, 1924, American gay activist Henry Gerber and several associates formed the Society for Human Rights, the first gay rights organization in the United States. The Society received a charter from the State of Illinois in December but was disbanded in July 1925 after a police raid which led to Gerber's arrest and trial (albeit not conviction). Pay a virtual visit to Henry Gerber House, now a registered Chicago landmark.

Supreme Court strikes down Massachusetts anti-draft law

On November 9, 1970, the Supreme Court voted 6-3 in Massachusetts v. Laird not to hear the case of the state's anti-draft law. Massachusetts had passed a law, which allowed its citizens to decline to fight in any undeclared war, even if the person was drafted. The law was passed in opposition to the draft and the war in Vietnam. The First Circuit found the war constitutional and thus struck down the law.