Our copyright law is a wondrous complex beast, and even apparently simple tweaks carry the potential for significant unintended consequences, writes Kimberlee Weatherall, an associate professor in Sydney University’s Faculty of Law.
Politics
RBA could increase rates if there’s a sharp rise in inflation
Lots of mea culpas this morning from business economists and media pundits who got the Reserve Bank rate decision horribly wrong yesterday, write Glenn Dyer and Bernard Keane.
L-3: the $15b defence contractor that will be scanning us
The company that will get $28 million for providing airport body scanners is a huge US defence contractor with a scandalous history.
Kohler: trouble in a carry trade paradise
Keynesian purists are all clutching their foreheads, but actually it’s pretty fabulous that Australia’s politicians are competing with each other to promise budget surpluses.
Palestinian unity plan met with scepticism in West Bank
A unity agreement between the two major Palestinian political parties, Fatah and Hamas, has been greeted with scepticism from Palestinian youth activists, writes Nigel O’Connor, a freelance journalist in Ramallah.
Rundle12: the return of Santorum opens the Republican race
Republican candidate Rick Santorum may be on the way to either victory or a close second in the Minnesota and Missouri contests tonight, throwing the smooth coronation of Mitt Romney into fresh doubt.
Crikey Says: Swimming to Cyprus
Homs continues to endure an onslaught of rockets and mortars in the regime’s worst massacre of civilians since the uprising in Syria began 11 months ago.
It’s Groundhog Dog in Oz politics
Just as Punxsutawney Phil’s shadow is seen as a sign of how long winter will last, Labor ministers — and especially the media — religiously analyse Julia Gillard’s shadow to try and determine the length of her tenure, writes Mr Denmore.
How to make a commercial for Uncle Sam
Setting itself apart from a raft of comedy advertisements, one of the creators of the already-legendary Chrysler Super Bowl spot (starring Clint Eastwood) discusses how to make a commercial for the US federal government.
The Reserve Bank’s inclination to punish
The Reserve Bank of Australia are a callous lot, says Richard Farmer. Let’s not worry about those 5.2% of people without a job, or all those working less hours than they would like to.
Syria violence worsens as Russia comes to town
Crikey media wrap: The United States government has begun reviewing military options in Syria, as the Syrian army ramps up its military assault on opposition fighters in the city of Homs.
The $28m pantomime of airport body scanners
Airport body scanners have no demonstrated value, but the government is spending $28 million on them.
Frustration not fear keep farmers mum on retail wars
The ACCC has offered protection to whistleblower farmers and grocery supplies if they report price gouging by supermarkets. But for those on the land it’s still easier said than done.
Sustainable fish and the ‘red prawn of disapproval’
As a consumer, understanding the impact of fishing practices on the environment can be a little daunting, writes Paulina Olszanka, a freelance journalist.
Wayne Swan causing a credit squeeze? Get real
Claims that Wayne Swan could hurt the banks by pressuring them to pass on rate cuts are rubbish.
Guy Rundle: Compared to these guys, Obama is Howard Zinn on bad acid
With five primaries and caucuses done, with party favourite Mitt Romney leading, and with the next four contests before Super Tuesday favouring him, the 2012 race for the Republican nomination is beginning to slip quietly away from the top of the news agenda.
Gays jilted at altar: how serious is Labor about marriage?
Marriage equality advocates have the Herculean task before them of convincing Tony Abbott of allowing a conscience vote, writes Brian Greig, former Democrats senator and gay rights campaigner.
Sandi Logan: the Immigration Dept’s driven and divisive spokesman
Sandi Logan is on a mission to shape what you read, see and hear about the federal government’s most troublesome policy area, writes Matthew Knott.
The Tea Party is dead. Long live the Tea Party
The GOP spent months pondering the effect the Tea Party would have on Republican primaries, and the answer was: not much at all. One Tea Party leader has described the movement as “dead” and “gone,” reports Patricia Murphy.
Bob Brown and Gillard’s ‘sexist’ commentary
Greens leader Bob Brown has accused male commentators of making sexist criticisms about the Prime Minister. But what about these commentators? asks Richard Farmer.
Steering bicycle regulation debate: would registrations make good policy?
Bruce Guthrie believes there is a case for compulsory registration of bicycles. The key downsides are obvious, but what about the upsides? The Urbanist’s Alan Davies discusses.
Rates cut expected: will banks pass it on?
Crikey media wrap: The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to cut the cash rate by 0.25% to 4% today, putting pressure on banks to pass those savings onto its customers.
Essential: still bad for Labor; ADF most trusted institution
Labor’s vote shows no signs of any recovery, today’s Essential Report finds.
Plenty of light in the doom-and-gloom retail figures
The headline fall of 0.1% in the seasonally adjusted value of retail sales for December got the “rate cut looms” mob back on the hunt this morning.
