The UK Government Should Not Let Copyright Stifle AI Innovation

As Walled Culture has often noted, the process of framing new copyright laws is tilted against the public in multiple ways. And on the rare occasions when a government makes some mild concession to anyone outside the copyright industry, the latter invariably rolls out its highly-effective lobbying machine to fight against such measures. It’s happening again in Read more about The UK Government Should Not Let Copyright Stifle AI Innovation[…]

VW with touch controls interior

Volkswagen brings back physical buttons for all new cars

Future Volkswagen interiors will all draw inspiration from the ID 2all concept car and bring back physical buttons and controls. The touchscreen-heavy approach taken for the Mk8 Golf and ID 3 has proven unpopular with customers, prompting a complete about-turn by the company in the way it approaches design. VW interior designer Darius Watola said the ID2all concept “showed Read more about Volkswagen brings back physical buttons for all new cars[…]

documents scattered

Internet Archive: Digital Lending is Fair Use, Not Copyright Infringement – a library is a library, whether it’s paper or digital

In 2020, publishers Hachette, HarperCollins, John Wiley and Penguin Random House sued the Internet Archive (IA) for copyright infringement, equating its ‘Open Library’ to a pirate site. IA’s library is a non-profit operation that scans physical books, which can then be lent out to patrons in an ebook format. Patrons can also borrow books that Read more about Internet Archive: Digital Lending is Fair Use, Not Copyright Infringement – a library is a library, whether it’s paper or digital[…]

apple and google as monopoly characters holding big bags of cash in front of a store

Google to pay $700 million and make tiny app store changes to settle with 50 states

On December 11th, a jury decided that Google has an illegal monopoly with its Google Play app store, handing Epic Games a win. But Epic wasn’t the only one fighting an antitrust case. All 50 state attorneys general settled a similar lawsuit in September, and we’ve just now learned what Google agreed to give up Read more about Google to pay $700 million and make tiny app store changes to settle with 50 states[…]

lamborghini active wheel hub tech

Lamborghini Tests Active Camber and Toe Control for Better Handling

It’s not often that we get to experience a new and completely novel piece of automotive technology for the first time. But that’s what Lamborghini seems to have created with its Active Wheel Carrier, which we have now sampled in prototype form. The system itself is both clever and complex, but the basic purpose is Read more about Lamborghini Tests Active Camber and Toe Control for Better Handling[…]

Magic: The Gathering Bans the Use of Generative AI in ‘Final’ Products – Wizards of the Coast cancelled themselves

[…] a D&D artist confirmed they had used generative AI programs to finish several pieces of art included in the sourcebook Glory of the Giants—saw Wizards of the Coast publicly ban the use of AI tools in the process of creating art for the venerable TTRPG. Now, the publisher is making that clearer for its Read more about Magic: The Gathering Bans the Use of Generative AI in ‘Final’ Products – Wizards of the Coast cancelled themselves[…]