Monthly Archives: July 2007
Prisoners Figure Copyright Abuse Is A Way To Get Out Of Jail
From techdirt blog-
Well, we’ve seen all kinds of companies abuse copyright law for a variety of purposes, and it seemed only a matter of time until outright criminals caught on as well. A group of inmates apparently copyrighted their names and then demanded millions of dollars from the prison they were in for using their names without permission. The claims were sent to the warden of the prison and when he didn’t pay up, the prisoners were able to file claims against his property — and then hired someone to seize the warden’s property and freeze his bank accounts. At this point they then demanded to be released from prison before they would return the property. Instead, they were charged with extortion and “conspiring to impede the duties of federal prison officials.” While the story is amusing, it does show how copyright law is being perceived these days. As intellectual property lawyers push more and more ridiculous positions concerning copyright law, people are beginning to realize that it can be used as a hammer for all kinds of ridiculous lawsuits that have absolutely nothing to do with creating incentives for the creation of new content.
Role reversal
Weekend
I was working all Saturday and Sunday too till I got a call to have a meeting in early afternoon. Not typical boring business meeting as I was supposed to meet the owner of a top restaurant (Opus), famous for its unique layout and music performances including Karaoke performances. So I went there…and even caught a glimpse of a performance of Chilli Potato, a band where the lead vocal/guitarist is a friend of mine. More performances followed, along with some nice Goan starters and not so nice Italian main course. There was also a performance by Sankarshan “Shanky” Kini, who is also a part of Kailash Kher’s band. After this we went to Vasanth Nagar near Mount Carmel’s, to view a performance of stunts performed by local kids on their bicycles. Boy…they were all really good! I’ll try and get some pics and post here if possible. Finally got back home around dinner time and got back to work…going to bed after 2 in the night.
Unique multi lingual poem
Stumbled upon this unique multi lingual poem by Amir Khusrau. Thought would share it with everyone 🙂
Zeehaal-e miskeen makun taghaful,
duraye naina banaye batiyan;
ki taab-e hijran nadaram ay jaan,
na leho kaahe lagaye chhatiyan.
Shaban-e hijran daraz chun zulf
wa roz-e waslat cho umr kotah;
Sakhi piya ko jo main na dekhun
to kaise kaatun andheri ratiyan.
Yakayak az dil do chashm-e jadoo
basad farebam baburd taskin;
Kise pari hai jo jaa sunaave
piyare pi ko hamaari batiyan.
Cho shama sozan cho zarra hairan
hamesha giryan be ishq aan meh;
Na neend naina na ang chaina
a aap aaven na bhejen patiyan.
Bahaqq-e roz-e wisal-e dilbar
ki daad mara ghareeb Khusrau;
Sapet man ke waraaye raakhun
jo jaaye paaon piya ke khatiyan.
NOTES
The phrase “Zeehaal-e-miskeen” comes from a poem of Amir Khusrau. The unique thing about this poem is that it is a macaronic, written in Persian and Brij Bhasha. In the first verse, the first line is in Persian, the second in Brij Bhasha, the third in Persian again, and the fourth in Brij Bhasha. In the remaining verses, the first two lines are in Persian, the last two in Brij Bhasha. The poem showcases Amir Khusrau’s mastery over both languages. The English translation is:
Do not overlook my misery by blandishing your eyes,
and weaving tales; My patience has over-brimmed,
O sweetheart, why do you not take me to your bosom.
Long like curls in the night of separation,
short like life on the day of our union;
My dear, how will I pass the dark dungeon night
without your face before.
Suddenly, using a thousand tricks, the enchanting eyes robbed me
of my tranquil mind;
Who would care to go and report this matter to my darling?
Tossed and bewildered, like a flickering candle,
I roam about in the fire of love;
Sleepless eyes, restless body,
neither comes she, nor any message.
In honour of the day I meet my beloved
who has lured me so long, O Khusrau;
I shall keep my heart suppressed,
if ever I get a chance to get to her trick.