Peloton’s Online Streaming Workouts Stymied by Pesky Music Copyrights
Peloton removes exercise classes after publishers’ lawsuit
“Peloton respects the rights of all creators, including performing artists and songwriters. The filing of the lawsuit is unfortunate and disappointing, as it occurred after what appeared to be fruitful discussions with most of the publishers named.”

American Novelist sues Brazilian Novelist for Plagiarism
Nora Roberts Sues Brazilian Writer Who She Says Plagiarized Her Work
“’A lot of the other writers involved in this, they don’t have the money to fight it,’” Ms. Roberts said. “’I do have the money.’”

Should Intelligence Agents be Able to Write “Tell-Alls”?
Widespread Censorship of Former Government Employees Violates the First Amendment, Lawsuit Says
“The government has a legitimate interest in protecting bona fide national security secrets, but this system sweeps too broadly, fails to limit the discretion of government censors, and suppresses political speech that is vital to informing public debate.”

Big Decision in Online Infringement Cases
Ninth Circuit Fleshes Out Standards for Copyright Infringement
“’Should have known is a negligence test’, Judge Michael Daly Hawkins wrote for a unanimous panel in Erickson Productions v. Kast. ‘Negligence is a less culpable mental state than actual knowledge, willful blindness, or recklessness, the three mental states that properly support a finding of willfulness.”

“De-Humanizing Speech” – The Latest Attack on the First Amendment
‘Dehumanizing’ Speech Is Still Free Speech
“…it goes something like this: No person should be required to “debate” his right to exist. Free speech is fine, but ‘dehumanizing’ speech is something else entirely.”

Free Speech Support from an Unlikely Source
Former national ACLU president offers defense of free speech
“Society has grown too ready to label the open expression of unpopular or polarizing opinions as ‘hate speech,'” Strossen said.

Predatory Publisher Loses Court Case Against the Federal Trade Commission
The Price for ‘Predatory’ Publishing? $50 Million
“Omics publishes hundreds of journals in such areas as medicine, chemistry and engineering. It also organizes conferences. The F.T.C. claimed that Omics violated the agency’s prohibition on deceptive business practices.”

This case couldn’t get any crazier – could it?
Jussie Smollett case: Brothers accused of carrying out attack sue actor’s legal team for defamation
“The two brothers who say Empire actor Jussie Smollett paid them to stage his Jan. 29 assault announced Tuesday that they have filed a federal defamation lawsuit against his legal team, including celebrity attorney Mark Geragos.”

PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON ANY OF THESE STORIES IN THE COMMENTS BOX BELOW! 🙂

33 Worst Mistakes Writers Make About Blind Characters

I admire any writer who wants to tackle a blind character. But so many writers take up this challenge and FAIL. They research blindness by reading other fiction books, by observing their blind colleagues and acquaintances, and by tying on a blindfold and pretending to be blind themselves.

I understand the challenges your characters face, their triumphs, their hopes and their fears, because I've lived them. I work with people who have varying degrees of blindness every day, so I've seen every challenge, every situation you could imagine.

Let me share my knowledge to improve your writing. You can create blind characters that readers will fall in love with.

~Stephanie Green

The Do-It-Yourselfer's Guide to Self-Syndication

Practical resource outlining the self-syndication process, step-by-step. Packed with detailed information and useful tips for writers looking to gain readership, name recognition, publication and self-syndication for their column or articles.

https://writersweekly.com/books/4693.html