My riches are the Libyan people - I have no assets - I take no pride in keeping American dollars."Via
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Bradley Manning’s Attorney Responds to New Charges Against Him: Is Wikileaks the Enemy?
David Coombs, Bradley Manning’s attorney, released a statement regarding the government’s new charges against Manning:
The government is alleging Manning “knowingly gave intelligence information” and that Wikileaks “received” it. Does that make”Wikileaks” the “enemy” in question?
Update: From Manning’s new charge sheet (PDF):
They want to lock a 23 year-old up for the rest of his life, using a charge designed for terrorists and spies, because he embarrassed them in front of the bad guys?
Seriously?
Jane Hamsher @'FDL'
Over the past few weeks, the defense has been preparing for the possibility of additional charges in this case. The decision to prefer charges is an individual one by PFC Manning’s commander. The nature of the charges and the number of specifications under each reflects his determination, in consultation with his Staff Judge Advocate’s office, of the possible offenses in this case. Ultimately, the Article 32 Investigating Officer will determine which, if any, of these additional charges and specifications should be referred to a court-martial.
Eight months after Bradley Manning was originally charged, the government suddenly claims that he “knowingly gave intelligence information” to “the enemy alleged to have received the intelligence information.”Manning is being charged with “aiding the enemy,” which is an Article 4 offense:
AIDING THE ENEMY—GIVING INTELLIGENCE TO THE ENEMY (ARTICLE 104)
ELEMENTS:
(1) That (state the time and place alleged), the accused, without proper authority, knowingly gave intelligence information to (a) certain person(s), namely: (state the name or description of the enemy alleged to have received the intelligence information);
(2) That the accused did so by (state the manner alleged);
(3) That (state the name or description of the enemy alleged to have received the intelligence information) was an enemy; and
(4) That this intelligence information was true, at least in part.
d. DEFINITIONS AND OTHER INSTRUCTIONS:
“Intelligence” means any helpful information, given to and received by the enemy, which is true, at least in part.
“Enemy” includes (not only) organized opposing forces in time of war, (but also any other hostile body that our forces may be opposing) (such as a rebellious mob or a band of renegades) (and includes civilians as well as members of military organizations). (“Enemy” is not restricted to the enemy government or its armed forces. All the citizens of one belligerent are enemies of the government and the citizens of the other.)
The government is alleging Manning “knowingly gave intelligence information” and that Wikileaks “received” it. Does that make”Wikileaks” the “enemy” in question?
Update: From Manning’s new charge sheet (PDF):
So let me get this straight. The Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, says that the “leaked cables created no substantive damage — only embarrassment.” So they’re going to charge Manning with “aiding the enemy” because they claim he knew Wikileaks would publish them on the internet, the “enemy” can see the internet, and the cables “bring discredit upon the armed forces.”10. ADDITIONAL CHARGE I: VIOLATION OF THE UCMJ, ARTICLE 104.
THE SPECIFICATION:
In that Private First Class Bradley E. Manning, U.S. Army, did, at or near Contingency Operating Station Hammer, Iraq, between on or about 1 November 2009 and on or about 27 May 2010, without proper authority, knowingly give intelligence to the enemy, through indirect means.
ADDITIONAL CHARGE II:
SPECIFICATION 1:
In that Private First Class Bradley E. Manning, U.S. Army, did, at or near Contingency Operating Station Hammer, Iraq, between on or about 1 November 2009 and on or about 27 May 2010, wrongfully and wantonly cause to be published on the internet intelligence belonging to the United States government, having knowledge that intelligence published on the internet is accessible to the enemy, such conduct being prejudicial to good order and discipline in the armed forces and being of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces.
They want to lock a 23 year-old up for the rest of his life, using a charge designed for terrorists and spies, because he embarrassed them in front of the bad guys?
Seriously?
Jane Hamsher @'FDL'
Bradley Manning faces 22 new charges
The US Army has charged a soldier held in connection with the leak of US government documents published by the Wikileaks website with 22 extra counts.
The new charges against Private First Class Bradley Manning include aiding the enemy, a capital offence, but prosecutors have said they will not seek the death penalty. The intelligence analyst is being held at a military jail in Virginia.
He is suspected of leaking 620,000 diplomatic and military documents.
Pte Manning, who joined the US military in 2007, was initially charged in May with 12 counts of illegally downloading and sharing a secret video of a US military operation and secret military and diplomatic documents and cables.
The new charges accuse the soldier of using unauthorised software on government computers to download classified information and to make intelligence available to "the enemy".
Under the US Uniform Code of Military Justice, the offence is punishable by death.
But in a news release, the US Army said prosecutors would not seek the death penalty, although Pte Manning could face life in prison if tried and convicted.
Fresh details Pte Manning's lawyer David Coombs said the soldier's defence team had been preparing for the possibility of additional charges over the past few weeks.
Pte Manning is being held in solitary confinement in a high-security military prison at Quantico marine base, Virginia.
Mr Coombs has said he expects a hearing to determine whether the military has enough evidence to try the soldier to be held in May or June.
The newly released list of charges offers fresh details on the records Pte Manning is accused of obtaining illegally.
Those include:
- More than 380,000 records from a database of military records from the Iraq war
- 90,000 records from a database of Afghan war files
- 250,000 records from a US state department diplomatic database
- 75 classified US state department cables, including one titled "Reykjavik-13"
- A video file named "12 JUL 07 CZ ENGAGEMENT ZONE 30 GC"
The site has also released a cable titled Reykjavik 13 that summarised US diplomats' discussions with Icelandic officials about that country's financial troubles, and a leaked video of a 2007 helicopter attack in Iraq that killed two Reuters news service employees.
@'BBC'
To be convicted of "aiding an enemy" US must prove alleged recipient @WikiLeaks, was "hostile body"
wikileaks WikiLeaks
'aiding the enemy', following US claims, suggests WikiLeaks will be defined as 'the enemy'. A serious abuse. http://is.gd/0XKqRz
Spielberg lines up WikiLeaks film based on Guardian book
Steven Spielberg looks set to oversee WikiLeaks: the Movie after securing the screen rights to WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assange's War on Secrecy, the book by Guardian journalists David Leigh and Luke Harding. Reportedly conceived as an investigative thriller in the mould of All the President's Men, the film will be backed by DreamWorks – the studio founded in 1994 by Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen.
Leigh and Harding's book charts Julian Assange's turbulent life and times, from his itinerant childhood through to the creation of the WikiLeaks website in 2006. It also provides the inside story of Assange's explosive partnership with the Guardian newspaper and the release, last December, of over 250,000 secret diplomatic cables.
In addition to snapping up the Leigh and Harding bestseller, DreamWorks have also secured rights to another book, Inside WikiLeaks, by Assange's former colleague, Daniel Domscheit-Berg. This has led insiders to speculate that DreamWorks executives are planning a heavily fictionalised thriller that cherry-picks from a variety of sources.
"A good template for what they are thinking is The Social Network, where Aaron Sorkin not only used the Ben Mezrich book The Accidental Billionaires as a resource, but gathered actual testimony from the lawsuits filed against Mark Zuckerberg that detailed the formation of Facebook and provided high drama," suggests Mike Fleming of the industry website Deadline Hollywood. "That allowed the film to be made without a rights deal from Zuckerberg."
Spielberg's picture is the most prominent of a number of WikiLeaks movies currently at various stages of development. These include a documentary by the award-winning film-maker Alex Gibney, director of Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, along with a mooted biopic, based on a New Yorker article by Raffi Khatchadourian and co-produced by HBO and the BBC.
Now in its embryonic stages, the DreamWorks version still requires a scriptwriter, a director and a cast. It may also need an ending, with all the evidence suggesting that the story of Julian Assange has some way left to run.
Reviled by his foes as a "high-tech terrorist", Assange is currently fighting an extradition order to Sweden to face accusations of sexual abuse. This week, he reportedly lashed out at his former collaborators at the Guardian, who, according to Private Eye editor Ian Hislop, he accused of being part of a "Jewish conspiracy" against him. There seems little doubt that Assange's life story provides enough red meat for dramatists. But the final act has surely yet to be written.
Xan Brooks @'The Guardian'
Leigh and Harding's book charts Julian Assange's turbulent life and times, from his itinerant childhood through to the creation of the WikiLeaks website in 2006. It also provides the inside story of Assange's explosive partnership with the Guardian newspaper and the release, last December, of over 250,000 secret diplomatic cables.
In addition to snapping up the Leigh and Harding bestseller, DreamWorks have also secured rights to another book, Inside WikiLeaks, by Assange's former colleague, Daniel Domscheit-Berg. This has led insiders to speculate that DreamWorks executives are planning a heavily fictionalised thriller that cherry-picks from a variety of sources.
"A good template for what they are thinking is The Social Network, where Aaron Sorkin not only used the Ben Mezrich book The Accidental Billionaires as a resource, but gathered actual testimony from the lawsuits filed against Mark Zuckerberg that detailed the formation of Facebook and provided high drama," suggests Mike Fleming of the industry website Deadline Hollywood. "That allowed the film to be made without a rights deal from Zuckerberg."
Spielberg's picture is the most prominent of a number of WikiLeaks movies currently at various stages of development. These include a documentary by the award-winning film-maker Alex Gibney, director of Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, along with a mooted biopic, based on a New Yorker article by Raffi Khatchadourian and co-produced by HBO and the BBC.
Now in its embryonic stages, the DreamWorks version still requires a scriptwriter, a director and a cast. It may also need an ending, with all the evidence suggesting that the story of Julian Assange has some way left to run.
Reviled by his foes as a "high-tech terrorist", Assange is currently fighting an extradition order to Sweden to face accusations of sexual abuse. This week, he reportedly lashed out at his former collaborators at the Guardian, who, according to Private Eye editor Ian Hislop, he accused of being part of a "Jewish conspiracy" against him. There seems little doubt that Assange's life story provides enough red meat for dramatists. But the final act has surely yet to be written.
Xan Brooks @'The Guardian'
What the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti means for Pakistan
Shahbaz Bhatti has become the second prominent Pakistani politician this year to die for his opposition to the country's blasphemy laws.
Bhatti, the minister for minorities and only Christian member of the cabinet, was shot dead outside his Islamabad home by four gunmen proclaiming themselves to be the 'Punjabi Taliban'.
Like Salman Taseer, the governor of Punjab who was shot on 4 January, Bhatti advocated reform of the controversial laws, which can carry the death sentence for anyone who criticises Islam or the Prophet Muhammad. Because they do not require much concrete evidence, the laws are frequently abused to persecute minorities and settle personal scores.
The political tension over the issue flared up in November, when a Christian woman, Aasia Bibi, was sentenced to death for allegedly blaspheming against the Prophet Muhammad. Both men spoke out in her favour.
However, they were left politically isolated when the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) - of which both were members - distanced itself from those advocating reform.
Yousaf Raza Gilani told parliament at the beginning of February that his government would not touch the legislation. "We are all unanimous that nobody wants to change the law," he said.
This followed pressure from the religious right, who whipped up public sentiment with massive street rallies. However, giving such a major concession sets a dangerous precedent and indicates that the government is unwilling or unable to fight the extremists in the battle for public opinion.
It also suggests that the administration has learnt little from the disastrous 2009 truce with the Taliban. Under that peace agreement, Islamabad agreed to let the Taliban implement Islamic law in parts of north-western Pakistan, in the hope it would decrease the violence. Predictably, it actually meant that the Taliban became more audacious in its move inland, and the deal soon fell apart.
There are now fresh fears for Sherry Rehman, a former PPP information minister who has championed reform. Although the Taliban have declared her "fit to be killed", she has so far refused to leave the country. She has been in semi-hiding since January.
Poignantly, Bhatti was well aware of the danger to his life, and recorded a farewell statement four months ago in which he referred to threats from the Taliban and al-Qaeda. He vowed that he would continue to speak out for minorities:
Samira Shackle @'New Statesman'
Bhatti, the minister for minorities and only Christian member of the cabinet, was shot dead outside his Islamabad home by four gunmen proclaiming themselves to be the 'Punjabi Taliban'.
Like Salman Taseer, the governor of Punjab who was shot on 4 January, Bhatti advocated reform of the controversial laws, which can carry the death sentence for anyone who criticises Islam or the Prophet Muhammad. Because they do not require much concrete evidence, the laws are frequently abused to persecute minorities and settle personal scores.
The political tension over the issue flared up in November, when a Christian woman, Aasia Bibi, was sentenced to death for allegedly blaspheming against the Prophet Muhammad. Both men spoke out in her favour.
However, they were left politically isolated when the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) - of which both were members - distanced itself from those advocating reform.
Yousaf Raza Gilani told parliament at the beginning of February that his government would not touch the legislation. "We are all unanimous that nobody wants to change the law," he said.
This followed pressure from the religious right, who whipped up public sentiment with massive street rallies. However, giving such a major concession sets a dangerous precedent and indicates that the government is unwilling or unable to fight the extremists in the battle for public opinion.
It also suggests that the administration has learnt little from the disastrous 2009 truce with the Taliban. Under that peace agreement, Islamabad agreed to let the Taliban implement Islamic law in parts of north-western Pakistan, in the hope it would decrease the violence. Predictably, it actually meant that the Taliban became more audacious in its move inland, and the deal soon fell apart.
There are now fresh fears for Sherry Rehman, a former PPP information minister who has championed reform. Although the Taliban have declared her "fit to be killed", she has so far refused to leave the country. She has been in semi-hiding since January.
Poignantly, Bhatti was well aware of the danger to his life, and recorded a farewell statement four months ago in which he referred to threats from the Taliban and al-Qaeda. He vowed that he would continue to speak out for minorities:
I will die to defend their rights. These threats and these warnings cannot change my opinions and principles.The government's decision to back down to religious clerics on this issue will be hugely fortifying to the country's extremists. It does not bode well for the future of Pakistan, or for its beleaguered minorities.
Samira Shackle @'New Statesman'
Assange defence team files extradition appeal
The defence team for WikiLeaks boss Julian Assange has filed an appeal against his extradition to Sweden to answer sexual assault allegations.
Mr Assange's appeal to go before London's High Court comes as no surprise. He has vowed to fight extradition to Sweden, where prosecutors want him to face allegations of sexual assault against two women. Mr Assange claims the moves are politically motivated because of WikiLeaks's activities in releasing classified US cables.
Some law experts say if it is granted, the appeal could drag the process out for more than a year.
His defence team has argued none of the acts listed on his international arrest warrant would amount to crimes in the UK.
It has an expert report from one of the country's most senior criminal lawyers which will be included in the numerous grounds for appeal.
Last month, a British court heard Mr Assange could easily be interviewed by videolink.
Mr Assange, who was arrested in London on December 7, faces a widening criminal probe in the United States, having enraged Washington.
@'ABC'
HA!
Qaddafi: "My great Libyan people granted me a place of residence in every Libyan city. It was you who gave me this."
"I am ready to have my accounts verified. My salary is only 465 dinars ... My wife's charity receives donations, which are channeled to needy causes in Africa. Sometimes these are channeled domestically...
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Grievous Angel - Jungle Pressure Mix
74 minutes of ruffneck ragga jungle with a few bits of techstep and jump-up added in. 100% vinyl.
Tracklist:
Shabba Ranks: Lets Get It On (Beef Jpint) (Dillinja / Goldie remix)
Beenie Man: Gimme De Gal (DJ SS remix)
DBO General / Mickey Finn / Aphrodite: Some Justice 95 (Arsonist)
Krome & Time: Ganja Man
Shabba Ranks: Wicked Inna Bed (DJ SS remix)
Prisoners of Technology: Deadly Technique
MA2: Hearing is Believing
Prisoners of Technology: Ghetto Shit
Digital: Deadline
Congo Natty: Jah
Congo Natty: Jah Set It
Congo Natty: Fever 98
Digital: Fix Up ???
Digital: Sounds of Freedom
Congo Natty: Radical
Aphrodite: President
Congo Natty: Your Love
Digital Feat. YT: Hard Ears (Dem Can’t Hear Must Feel)
Recored live on 2 decks and a mixer Saturday 27th February 2011 at Grievous Angel Sound, Sheffield.
HERE
Tracklist:
Shabba Ranks: Lets Get It On (Beef Jpint) (Dillinja / Goldie remix)
Beenie Man: Gimme De Gal (DJ SS remix)
DBO General / Mickey Finn / Aphrodite: Some Justice 95 (Arsonist)
Krome & Time: Ganja Man
Shabba Ranks: Wicked Inna Bed (DJ SS remix)
Prisoners of Technology: Deadly Technique
MA2: Hearing is Believing
Prisoners of Technology: Ghetto Shit
Digital: Deadline
Congo Natty: Jah
Congo Natty: Jah Set It
Congo Natty: Fever 98
Digital: Fix Up ???
Digital: Sounds of Freedom
Congo Natty: Radical
Aphrodite: President
Congo Natty: Your Love
Digital Feat. YT: Hard Ears (Dem Can’t Hear Must Feel)
Recored live on 2 decks and a mixer Saturday 27th February 2011 at Grievous Angel Sound, Sheffield.
HERE
Delusional

#Gaddafi "They force senior officials to defect, they threaten them at gunpoint and say that they will kill their families if they don't"
Immaterials: Light painting WiFi
This project explores the invisible terrain of WiFi networks in urban spaces by light painting signal strength in long-exposure photographs.
A four-metre long measuring rod with 80 points of light reveals cross-sections through WiFi networks using a photographic technique called light-painting.
More here:
nearfield.org/2011/02/wifi-light-painting
yourban.no/2011/02/22/immaterials-light-painting-wifi/
Photos:
flickr.com/photos/timo/sets/72157626020532597/
DJ Edu - Destination Africa – 2011-02-28 (BBC1xtra)
DJ Edu with the hottest underground sounds out of Africa, from hip hop and RnB to dancehall, garage and D&B. Edu has big tracks from Ghana, Burundi and Zambia.
Tracklist:
Scientific – Nothin’ Without You (Feat Jayso) (Liberia/Ghana)
Fokn Bois – We Ae The Future (Ghana)
M.I – Slow Down (Nigeria) [Chocolate City]
Jaywon – Gbon Gbon (Feat Terry G) (Nigeria) [Kennis]
V.I.P – Away (Ghana) [Paradise Ent./Movingui]
Mzo Bullet – Casablanca (South Africa) [New State Music]
Am Roots – Txeza (Mozambique)
Wyre & JB Maina – Mwanake (Kenya) [Homeboyz/Lovechild]
Ceejay – I Don’t Keya (Zimbabwe)
Black Coffee Vs Katy Perry – Superman Vs Firework [Kronologik/Capitol/Virgin]
Djeff & Filipe Narciso – O Semba (Angola)
M3NSA – Asem Pa (Feat Kwabena Jones) (Ghana/UK) [Instrumensa]
Sexion d’assaut – Désolé (Senegal/D R Congo/France)
Kidum – Mapenzi (Burundi)
Skyeez – Mapenzi (Italy)
Sana – Najuta (Daredevil Remix) (Kenya) [Homeboyz]
Marlaw – Sorry Sana (Tanzania)
K’Millian – Weekend (Feat Bryan) (Zambia)
Blick Bassy – Nlela (Cameroon/France) [World Connection]
Edi Young – You Are (Feat Jayso)(Ghana) [Skillions]
Gal Level Vs Shawn Pen – Ohole Vs Get It In [Ogopa/Butterfly]
Zaki Ibrahim – Go Widdit (South Africa)
Oum – Whowa (Morocco) [Lof Music]
Tonix – That Girl (Uganda) [Goodlyfe]
One8 Vs T.I (Feat Chris Brown) – Hands Across The World Vs Get Back Up [Rockstar4000/Sony/Atlantic]
La Fouine – Veni, Vidi, Vici (Morocco/France)
Nelson Freitas – I Just want My Baby Back (Cape Verde) [Ghetto Zouk Music]
Kaysha – Throw Ya Money Up (Feat Big Nelo)(D R Congo/Angola)
Nick Nola – I Love The Way ft Bela & Okai
K’naan – Ameria (Feat Mos Def & Chali 2na) (Somalia/US) [A&M/Octone]
CLASSIC
Gigi – Gudfella (Remix) (Ethiopia) [Palm Pictures]
DJ Arafat – Djessimidjeka (Cote d’Ivoire) [Nouvelle Donne]
DNA MIX
Denis Graca Vs Collie Buddz – Volta Vs Tomorrow’s Another Day
Philipe Monteiro Vs Alicia Keys – Tempestade Vs You Don’t Know My Name
Nelson Freitas Vs Nathan – Deeper Vs Come Into My Room
Fatma Vs Chris Brown – Don’t Let It Go Vs With You [Zomba]
Prezzo & T.I.D Vs Usher – Leo Ni Leo Vs You Make Me Wanna
Ahmed Soultan Vs Ray J & Yung Berg – Give Me Ur Name Vs Sexy Can I [Somum/Koch]
Mika Mendes (Feat Shana) vs Vybz Kartel vs NeYo – Dis Moi Que Tu M’alme vs Romping Shop Vs Miss Independent [Sushiraw/Tad's/Def Jam]
Nameless Vs Robin Thicke – Sinzia Vs Lost Without You
Kaysha Vs TPain – The Sweetest Thing Vs Can’t Believe It [Sushiraw/RCA/Jive]
Harry Kimani Vs Kelly Rowland – Desire Vs Like This [Sony]
Ali Kiba Vs Rick Ross – Cinderella Vs The Boss [G Recordz/Def Jam]
Kanji Vs Algebra – Mpali Vs U Do It For Me [Kedar Ent]
Wenyeji Vs Game (Feat Kanye) – Mizani Vs Wouldn’t Get Far
Dogman Vs Kanye West (Feat Dwele) – Latifa Vs Flashing Lights
T.I.D Vs NeYo – Siamini Vs Sexy Love [Def Jam]
Exile Vs Taio Cruz – Kumvela Nimvela Vs I Just Wanna Know
Ty Vs Alicia Keys – Closer Vs Girlfriend [Ninja Tune/J]
Ali Kiba Vs Trey Songz – Nakshi Mrembo Vs Can’t Help But Wait
Shatta Rako Vs Lupe Fiasco – Nfonin Vs Superstar [Atlantic]
JB M’piana Vs Megan Rochell – Acapella Vs The One You Need [Sipe/Def Jam]
Jua Cali (Feat Sana) Vs Donell Jones – Kwaheri Vs Spend The Night [Calif/LaFace]
@'mixdeluxe'
martinchulov Martin Chulov
Benghazi's organising committee has just formally asked UN to help end Ghaddafi's air strikes in eastern #libya
Why is Julian Assange trademarking his name?
Julian Assange. Photograph: ANDY RAIN/EPA The news that Julian Assange is seeking to register his name as a trademark will surprise those who imagine the besieged WikiLeaks founder might have grown weary of his infamy – and of lawyers.
Turning your name into a trademark is an increasingly common legal move for celebrities seeking to protect the commercial use of their name to sell goods and services. Everyone from Lady Gaga to Alan Titchmarsh has done it. The tactic can look more self-aggrandising when deployed by free speech campaigners or politicians, who supposedly move in less nakedly commercial worlds. But that hasn't stopped Sarah Palin and her daughter, Bristol, who are currently seeking to register their names as trademarks in the United States. "It's a bizarre thing for someone associated with freedom of information to do," says David Allen Green, head of media practice at Preiskel & Co and the New Statesman's legal correspondent.
According to Abida Chaudri, an associate of trademark attorneys Grant Spencer , however, Assange's application, through his own law firm, Finers Stephens Innocent, is "quite logical". "I suspect the application is more to do with his going it alone and using his WikiLeaks website to publish material, as opposed to somebody else pretending to be Julian Assange, which is probably unlikely," says Chaudri.
Assange is an internationally recognised figure, widely praised for his role in obtaining and leaking official secrets. He also has a distinctive brand because of his memorable name (there are no Julian Assanges on the UK electoral roll).
It can be harder to get a common name accepted as a trademark by the UK's Intellectual Property Office (IPO) but trademark law ensures that if there was a masseur from Edinburgh called Julian Assange, he could continue to sign his name, even if the other Julian Assange was successful in his application. Another clause allows for "honest concurrent use" so Assange Masseurs, if it existed, could continue to trade.
There are plenty of infamous and unfamous people who have trademarked their names, including Tecwen Whittock, the coughing academic convicted in 2003 of helping Major Charles Ingram cheat his way to winning £1m on Who Wants to be a Millionaire? But if every Z-lister gets their name trademarked these days, celebs can always play a new game – competing for how many of the IPO's 45 different categories, covering every conceivable use of a trademark, they are protected under.
As Gillian Davies records in her paper, The Cult of Celebrity and Trade Marks, Catherine Zeta-Jones registered her full name under the IPO's "entertainment services" classification. Robbie Williams's registration featured four different classes of use, covering video, film, sound recordings, books, calendars, posters and clothing. Jamie Oliver registered his name in 11 different classes - but Alan Titchmarsh has trumped him with 12.
Modern celebrities put their names to a huge range of products, which gives them legal protection if their names are exploited on counterfeit products or used to endorse goods or services that have nothing to do with them.
Court cases hearing of the infringement of individuals' trademarked names are rare in the UK, which is either a sign that the law is a useful deterrent or that lawyers are making easy money. Many celebrities, such as David Beckham, take an even more thorough approach, filing for a "Community Trade Mark" in Alicante, Spain, so their name will be protected in all 27 EU countries. But that kind of application is more likely to receive objections from third parties.
Cynics who imagine Assange is seeking to profit from the production of Hacker Hunks 2012 calendars or silver-haired Assange dolls (ideally with swivelling "hawk eyes") are wrong. Mark Stephens, Assange's lawyer, says the applications to trademark Assange and WikiLeaks have been made in a "not for profit" category, unlike many celebrities.
"It's not about restricting free speech," says Stephens. "It's not that he's out there trying to make huge amounts of money. It's about protecting himself from being associated with things he doesn't know about or approve of." There have already been examples of merchandising, such as T-shirts, produced without Assange's assent, although Stephens does concede that is "not a big issue".
Assange's lawyers have sought to register his name under just one class, the same "entertainment services" bracket as Zeta-Jones. Within this classification, Assange is seeking to protect his name in public speaking services, news reporter services, journalism, the publication of texts other than publicity texts, education services and entertainment services. Like every case, his applications will take up to eight months for the IPO to determine.
It suggests that, whatever the fate of his legal fight over extradition to Sweden, Assange is determined to be the very public face of dramatic computer leaks for a while yet, and determined not to let new rivals, such as OpenLeaks, steal his thunder. Critics who view such attempts to trademark an individual name as the ultimate act of self-love may smile at the date when Assange's lawyers filed his application: Valentine's Day of course.
Patrick Barkham @'The Guardian'
AbdulHamidAhmad Abdul Hamid Ahmad
Pakistani Minorities Affairs Minister Shahbaz Bhatti has been shot dead by unknown gunmen.
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