Quid Novi Blog

Updates

2006-10-18T12:33:00.000-04:00

We'll be updating this blog soon.

Unconstitutional death penalty

2004-12-18T22:54:00.000-05:00

The New York Times | Kansas' Death Penalty Law Is Declared Unconstitutional

The Kansas Supreme Court struck down the state's death penalty law. However, the court didn't rule that the death penalty itself was unconstitutional, there may be new rules.

Before the law was struck down, there were 2 phases to capital trials: once the defendant is convicted, juries consider aggravating and mitigating factors. And if 2 sets were found, it automatically required death penalty...

Perhaps a small victory for death penalty opponents: at least the new law will be more "fair and balanced".

The Chinese secession reference

2004-12-18T22:49:00.000-05:00

Reuters | Taiwan says China forming legal basis to attack

China is planning to draft an anti-secession law: even though the Vice President of Taiwan admits this has nothing to do with Taiwan since China doesn't have any legal right to the island, there's thoughts that this is a warning to the rest of the world against supporting the independence of Taiwan and that this would serve as a legal basis to invade Taiwan.

No matter what the result is of the deliberation of this draft law, this battle won't be over any time soon...

Battle against spam heats up

2004-12-18T22:42:00.000-05:00

MSNBC | ISP awarded $1 billion in anti-spam lawsuit

A federal judge in Iowa awarded a small Internet Service Provider more than $1 billion for being spammed up to 10 million e-mails per day. 3 defendants were charged under the Federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act: even though this award is the biggest, it would be unlikely they'll ever get to collect it...

Ontario (almost) bans cigarettes

2004-12-15T23:59:00.000-05:00

National Post | Ontario to toughen tobacco laws

Ontario's provincial government will introduce a new anti-smoking legislation which would ban smoking in public places and workplaces. Also, it would ban "in-store" cigarette displays. Since that would leave no space for tobacco advertisements, wouldn't that effectively ban cigarettes? It is very likely this legislation would be challenged since measures taken by other provinces are being challenged.

Victory for Google

2004-12-15T16:45:00.000-05:00

MSNBC | Google wins in trademark lawsuit

US District Judge rejected a claim by Geico Corp (auto insurance company whose company mascot is a gecko, causing apparent confusion) that the "Sponsored Links" displayed next to users search results don't cause confusion for consumers.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

2004-12-06T21:26:00.000-05:00

MSNBC | Lawsuit against military 'don't ask' policy

Twelve gays expelled from the military filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Pentagon's "dont ask, don't tell" policy. It was instituted by the Clinton administration and it has been challenged numerous times before. However, some believe that there's a better chance now since the Supreme Court ruled in 2003 that state laws making gay sex a crime were unconstitutional...

Free Speech and Stripping

2004-12-06T21:17:00.000-05:00

MSNBC | Officer can be fired for making sex video

First Amendment doesn't protect police officers who sell videotapes of themselves stripping off uniforms according to the Supreme Court of the United States. Employee speech has not been clearly protected, unlike flag-burning and white supremacist groups.

Prove your innocence

2004-12-06T17:27:00.000-05:00

CBC News | Manitoba law takes aim at spoils of crime

According to a new law to be proclaimed by the Manitoba government, people who are suspected of belonging to criminal organizations must prove their innocence to get their seized property back.

And if they can't, the government will sell off the property and use the money to help crime victims. Many believe the law will be challenged because it violates the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty... However, that right is not without limits so we will see if people in criminal organizations can be treated differently.

Hinckley Visits

2004-11-24T22:39:00.000-05:00

MSNBC | Judge denies longer tripsfor Hinckley

A federal judge denied Hinckey's request to unsupervised several-day visits outside the mental hospital. However, he authorized Hinckley to continue short overnight visits to his parents. For those of you who didn't take "Law & Psychiatry", Hinckley tried to assassinate Reagan in order to impress Jodie Foster. He was acquitted in 1982 by reason of insanity and has spent his life since then in a mental hospital.

Another election?

2004-11-24T12:47:00.000-05:00

Reuters | Signs of compromise emerge in Ukraine

Maybe the latest election wouldn't lead to a civil war. Both candidates in the highly contested election are offering ways out of their feud and they seem to agree another election would be a good legal wholesome way to solve the problem...

Another postpartum depression incident

2004-11-23T08:39:00.000-05:00

MSNBC | Texas mom held for severing baby's arms

Another Texas case... this time, the woman has cut off arms of her nearly 11-month-old daughter. She had been cleared by the Child Protective Services as posing no risk to her children. Police have charged her with capital murder.

What's Fair and Balanced?

2004-11-19T03:21:00.000-05:00

The Globe and Mail | Fox News coming to Canada

CRTC approved Fox News and it will be available early 2005 to digital subscribers. I really can't wait for someone to bring a lawsuit challenging Fox News about its misrepresentative "Fair and Balanced" claim!

Another Air Canada Issue

2004-11-19T03:16:00.000-05:00

The Globe and Mail | Tougher Challenge than creditors

The Montreal-based airline that is loved by everybody, especially the shareholders, is thinking about fighting Ottawa's unfair and costly bilingualism demands. Air Canada is complaining that it is the only airline that must comply with the Official Languages Act, and they want other airlines to be subject to the same rules, or relax the rules. Since Air Canada is no longer a Crown Corporation, it should be subject to the same rules as the other private carriers.

Anti-cloning treaty Abandoned

2004-11-19T03:10:00.000-05:00

MSNBC | U.N. abandons idea of anti-cloning treaty

U.N. was unable to create a worldwide anti-cloning treaty: 2 main camps, one led by United States, wanted to ban all human cloning and the other, led by European countries, wanted to ban reproductive cloning while allowing cloning for research. Now, it is more likely that there would be a less powerful document that won't have global effect...

Finally a recount!

2004-11-18T13:01:00.000-05:00

MSNBC - Recount begins in Washington governor's race

What would an election season be without a recount down in the States? Even though this won't change the outcome of the presidential race, Washington's governor's race is up for grabs since the margin of victory was only 261 votes. By law, any margin less than 2000 votes triggers an automatic recount.

Blind Eye - 4 times

2004-11-17T23:25:00.000-05:00

Yahoo! News - Man accused of filing insurance claims for being blinded 4 times - in same eye

A man claimed he was blinded 4 times in the same eye, and collected more than $1 million US in travellers' insurance since 1998. He is being charged with insurance fraud and grand larceny... the question is how he managed to fool the insurance companies again and again. If he is convicted, he will have five to 15 years in prison to think about why insurance fraud is bad if not done correctly!

Libel in the cyberspace

2004-11-16T19:52:00.000-05:00

Globetechnology | Scientist awarded cyberlibel damages

An Ontario judge has awarded an archeologist $125,000 in damages after a native man blamed her for the breakdown of his marriage and he started sending e-mails to more than 30 people that she was a "grave robber" and that she "robbed human remains from his driveway". He also urged others to send the e-mail to as many people as possible, which started a chain reaction and the e-mail reached the registrar of Ontario's cemeteries unit. The judge agreed that the e-mail was malicious, defamatory and untrue. This is one of the few cyberlibel cases in Canada: the first case, also in Ontario, involved a homeless Vancouver man who libelled Barrick Gold Corp in internet postings.

Protection of Water

2004-11-16T15:22:00.000-05:00

CBC News | Ontario says no to Great Lakes water plan

Ontario will not ratify an international agreement between Ontario, Quebec and eight U.S. states. It defines how much water can be diverted from the Great Lakes, and the province will not ratify the treaty in the current state since the Ontario's laws prohibit water transfers out of the province's three major water basins.

Coming attraction: more lawsuits

2004-11-16T15:17:00.000-05:00

Reuters | Movie Studios sue web file swappers

Motion Picture Association of America has started filing individual "John Doe" lawsuits (individuals only identified by their Internet Protocol address since the internet services providers don't have to provide names of their customers). The music industry has already sued more than 5000 people and MPAA is expected to sue hundreds. If a person is found guilty, there would be a fine of up to $30,000 for each film.

Another country, another smoking ban

2004-11-16T15:13:00.000-05:00

The Globe and Mail | Britain jumps on anti-smoking bandwagon

The British government will seek a ban on smoking in most public places such as restaurants and bars that serve food. The ban will only apply in England, but Scotland announced it would ban smoking in all enclosed public spaces by 2006 and Ireland already has a ban in place.

The Card Wars

2004-11-16T15:07:00.000-05:00

MSNBC | American Express sues Visa, MasterCard

American Express is suing Visa and MasterCard, as well as eight banks, for damages from anti-competitive behaviour. The suit will be filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, and it was cleared by the Supreme Court when it ruled in October that Visa and MasterCard restrained competition. American Express is accusing that the card associations "functioned as a cartel", and the first U.S. financial institution is providing an American Express credit card since November this year.

Law & Order: Civil Defence Unit

2004-11-15T21:43:00.000-05:00

New York Post |

The venerable legal institution known as "Law & Order" is under attack. Ravi Batra, a well-known figure in the Brooklyn courts, is seeking $15 million from the program, the creator and NBC for negatively portraying him in an episode. This would be interesting, if the suit ever goes to trial, since it will perhaps determine whether fictional stories based or inspired by real-life events can injure the real life counterpart...

Presumption of Innocence under attack

2004-11-15T18:11:00.000-05:00

NEWS.com.au | New rape law weighed)

Tasmanian legislators will debate whether they'll change the presumption of innocence in rape cases. Legal scholars argue th Criminal Code Amendment Act shifts the burden of proof to the accused. The Attorney-General argues that this doesn't reverse the onus of proof, but it puts more responsibility on the accused to explain their actions.

The Microsoft Insurance

2004-11-10T01:01:00.000-05:00

CNET | Microsoft to back customers in infringement cases

In a surprising move, Microsoft will announce they will indemnify nearly all its customers against any claims that their use of Microsoft software infringed on any intellectual property claims... They already protected their volume license customers, but this protection would be offered to customers and even retail users. Even though the move may not be entirely benevolent, this would grant more protection to consumers which is always positive.

$1 million worth of spam

2004-11-09T23:00:00.000-05:00

CNET | $1 million bond set for alleged spammer's freedom

Jeremy Jaynes's bail was set at $1 million for sending as many as 15 million junk e-mails a day and bilking recipients of millions of dollars. Virginia does not outlaw spam, but the state has a felony law to penalize people who mask their identity in order to send spam. The defendant's attorney is arguing Jaynes' right to free speech is violated by the Virginia's law.

Right to Die in Oregon

2004-11-09T22:51:00.000-05:00

Reuters | Bush Administration Appeals Over Oregon Suicide Law

Oregon, the only state in the Union to allow physician-assisted suicide, is the latest target of the Bush Administration. Ashcroft, the ex-Attorney General sent out a directive in 2001 that threatened to revoke prescription-writing licenses for physicians and pharmacists who filled orders for life-ending drugs. In May, U.S. appeals court in San Francisco ruled that it was unlawful and unenforceable since he had overstepped his authority.

The US Supreme Court will decide by early 2005 whether to hear the government's appeal.

Edict from King Ralph

2004-11-09T22:43:00.000-05:00

The Globe and Mail | Alberta leadership debate

King Ralph has declared during the debate that his party would "fight with whatever legal means at disposal" to fight same-sex marriage. Of course, his opponents were quick to point out that it would be a waste of the taxpayers' money to keep challenging the issue if the Supreme Court of Canada, which is the ultimate appellate court even in Alberta, decides that the traditional definition is unconstitutional...

Ontario solves drop-outs... with jails!

2004-11-07T10:30:00.000-05:00

The Globe and Mail | Ontario youth will stay in school until age 18

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and his Liberal government will introduce a new legislation that will force the province's youth to keep learning in a classroom or at an apprenticeship until they become 18. The courts will order the kids to stay in school and if they don't, they could find themselves in contempt leading to jail time (which is assured to be for rare situations). What's next? Court order to improve a student's grade?

Someone who really hates the election result

2004-11-07T10:18:00.000-05:00

MSNBC | Man commits suicide at ground zero

It will be extremely challenging for George W. Bush to be an "uniter", not a "divider"... especially if the people he is supposed to be uniting decides the life under him is not worth living! In a symbolic gesture, a man from Georgia apparently shot himself over the war in Iraq and the President Bush's reelection. Maybe such a tragedy in a symbolic site that the Republicans milked for all its worth during their campaign would show the government how serious the internal situations are.

7th province for gay marriage

2004-11-06T19:27:00.000-05:00

The Globe and Mail | Saskatchewan to allow same-sex marriages

Further proving that Canada is not as conservative as the States (can any country be more conservative?), Court of Queen's Bench ruled Friday that the traditional definition of marriage "two people to the exclusion of others" discriminates against same-sex couples. Saskatchewan becomes the seventh Canadian jurisdiction to allow same-sex marraiges, perhaps giving a little preview of what the Supreme Court of Canada will decide soon.

Spying Novel

2004-11-06T19:23:00.000-05:00

The Globe and Mail | WestJet chief aware of spying

Air Canada claims that the CEO of WestJet Airlines Ltd was aware of spying and listed him as a defendant in the lawsuit. Air Canada accused WestJEt of hacking into a confidential website to steal sensitive information, and is seeking $220-million from the carrier. Jetsgo, another discount carrier, file a $50 million lawsuit against WestJet for theft of confidential documents. If industrial espionage is the only way for a company to be successful, then there's something seriously wrong with the industry!

Desperate Cellphone Maker

2004-11-05T14:36:00.000-05:00

Reuters | Nokia challenges Sagem, Vitelcom

Perhaps Reuters doesn't know what patent infringement means. Perhaps Nokia's lawyers don't know what it is either. Nokia is seeking for damages from Sagem for copying designs in its flagship myX5-2 handset. After seeing their marketshare slip constantly in favour of rivals from Korea and U.S., Nokia is resorting to cheap legal shots in boosting their brand awareness and proving continuously that they don't know how to make cellphones anymore.

Yes on 3 in Cincinnati

2004-11-04T00:43:00.000-05:00

City voters approve Issue 3...

Even if Ohio passed a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, Cincinnati approved repeal of an amendment that prohibited city officials from passing any laws designed to protect gays and lesbians in the city. This ends a decade-long battle over the amendment, but it is certainly the beginning of a different battle.

Can US Supreme Court end age-based discrimination?

2004-11-04T00:37:00.000-05:00

Reuters | Supreme Court Considers reach of age bias law

The U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether it should make clear that a federal law barring age discrimination in the workplace covered employer practices that have a disproportionate impact on older workers.

The case involved police officers over age 40 who sued the police of Jackson, Mississippi for giving younger officers proportionately greater pay raises. This debate will reach its conclusion when the Supreme Court decides the case next year.

LexisNexis programmers gone wild!

2004-11-04T00:33:00.000-05:00

MSNBC - Programmers hold funerals for old code

In Dayton, Ohio, LexisNexis programmers don't delete programs that are replaced or deleted... instead they print the codes and bury them in marked graves. So next time you wonder about the cost of services provided by LexisNexis, just remember that they cost more because they care about computer programs and give them proper burials with the obligatory "Taps", wododen coffin and chocolate cake.

Ontario Emergency Powers?

2004-11-02T14:07:00.000-05:00

National Post | Government proposes crisis powers

Perhaps big brothers in Canada are getting power hungry once again. A proposed legislation would authorize the Ontario premier to declare an emergency for 72 hours only if "no reasonable alternative" exists with the power to close "any place". If it is any consolation, the most criticized powers requested by the government - powers to impose curfews, to conscript an army and entry without warrants - were left out of the legislation. Conscript an army? If I didn't know better, I would say the Ontario Premier wants to become a dictator in order to save the province from SARS...

Marijuana (almost) legalized

2004-11-02T09:54:00.000-05:00

Liberals reintroduce marijuana bill

Canada is one step closer towards semi-legalization of our fastest growing crop: marijuana. The Liberals reintroduced the bill that would decrease criminal sanctions for persons who are caught with less than 15 grams of pot. This brilliant move would free up the police to go after the growers, yet allowing many stoners to use pot (in small doses) without worrying about jails!

"Unprecedented Financial Crisis"

2004-10-28T23:09:00.000-04:00

CBC News: Top court says Nfld. justified in deferring equity payments

The Supreme Court of Canada unanimously decided that the Newfoundland government does not have to pay equity payments it deferred in 1991 because "the need to address a fiscal crisis [...] was a pressing and substantial legislative objective".

Although the Court warned that governments who attempt to justify the infringement of the Charter because of budgetary constraints should be met with skepticism.

How NOT to relocate a national capital?

2004-10-27T23:23:00.000-04:00

Korea court rejects plan for capital relocation

Now a shout out to my native country! The Korean Constitutional Court has rejected the president Roh Moo Hyun's foolish and controversial plan to relocate the nation's administrative capital out of Seoul. The ruling also suspends all activities to move the capital.

If he is still interested in moving the capital to a new location, building the city from ground up, he will have to amend the constitution. Seoul has been Korea's capital since 1392 and it seems reasonable people are pretty happy with the way it is now.

Cats win the Attorney General's heart

2004-10-27T23:16:00.000-04:00

CBC Ottawa - Ontario tables pit bull law

Apparently the Ontario's Attorney General is a cat lover! He tabled legislation that would make it illegal to import, sell or breed pit bulls in the province. But it seems it's not clear what exactly a pit bull is, even though it is the same definition used in Manitoba.

No More Hate?

2004-10-27T23:13:00.000-04:00

The New York Times > Georgia Court Strikes Down Law on Hate

The great state of Georgia that gave the world Coca-Cola has struck down their hate law enacted in 2000. The Georgia Supreme Court unanimously declared that the law was "unconstitutionally vague" since it did not specify which conduct to avoid. According to the court, the law might be used even against "a rabid sports fan convicted of uttering terroristic threats to a victim selected for wearing a competing team's baseball cap". Does that mean a baseball fan of a certain team is not a minority? or that they don't deserve protection?

Honour Killing now harder

2004-10-27T23:06:00.000-04:00

BBC NEWS | 'Honour killings' law tightened

Pakistani National Assembly has just passed a law designed to increase the punishment for extreme cases of honour (not honor) killings, including death penalty.

Although death penalty itself might not be humane, at least it will serve as some kind of deterrent to men who might think they can do anything to their female relatives.

Preview of things to come?

2004-10-27T23:03:00.000-04:00

BBC NEWS | Chile 'violates Indians' rights'

What do you do with an outdated anti-terrorism law? Terrorize the indigenous population of course! Chile's law from the military dictatorship of General Pinochet allows secret witnesses and extended prison terms. With sweeping anti-terrorism reforms in many countries, is this just a preview of things to come?

Rehnquist v. Cancer

2004-10-25T12:37:00.000-04:00

MSNBC - Rehnquist hospitalized, treated for thyroid cancer

It seems not even thyroid cancer can stop Supreme Court Chief Justice Rehnquist! He is expected to preside over a closed-door session of the court next monday. Will he finally retire after the surgery? He has been on the bench for more than 30 years already!

Killing a boy with a car is not a murder!?!?

2004-10-24T23:03:00.000-04:00

New Insane Law lets fiends off with a ticket and fine

According to the New York Post, a man who hit a Queens boy killing him, cannot be charged for murder because the state's vehicular homicide statute is very lax.

In January, Pataki offered legislation to increase penalties for killer drivers, but for an insane reason, the measure died in the legislature.

Currently, even if someone is drunk, the prosecutors need to prove that there was a second factor (violation of any traffic law such as speeding) in order to charge him/her with vehicular manslaughter...

Who cannot go bankrupt in China?

2004-10-24T22:58:00.000-04:00

Bankruptcy law draft excludes partnership and proprietary businesses

According to the latest draft of bankruptcy law that was submitted to the China's top legislature limits the law's scope. The original draft included partnership businesses and proprietary individual businesses, but it was deemed that the protection would lead to false bankruptcies to avoid debts.

Religious retards at work

2004-10-20T00:00:00.000-04:00

ABC News: Same-Sex Marriage Debate in Battleground Ohio

As always, the fundamentalist christian americans are proving that they are quite good at shooting themselves in the foot. The proposed amendment purports to "not recognize a legal status for unmarried individuals that intends to imitate marriage". Of course, it would ban same-sex marriage. They seriously need to start feeling secure!

Do law firms need to get bigger?

2004-10-19T23:52:00.000-04:00

The New York Times > Two Law Firms to Join Forces

Yes. Gray cary and Piper Rudnick are joining together, to create "Piper and Gray", destined to be one of the biggeest law firms in the United States. And they are planning to merge with DLA (London) next year. After the planned mergers, I'm sure they plan to be the master of the legal universe...

Don't like the election result? Sue the machine!

2004-10-19T23:44:00.000-04:00

New Jersey lawsuit challenges e-voting | CNET News.com

In anticipation of all the legal maneuvers by overpaid Democratic and Republican lawyers, a coalition of private citizens in New Jersey is filing a lawsuit to block the use of electronic voting machines citing that they "cannot protect the fundamental right to vote."

Obviously, the alternative would be to go back to the good old days of hanging chads and manual recounts...

European Union sues Greece

2004-10-19T23:40:00.000-04:00

EU Business - Brussels sues Greece over games ban

Once upon a time, law makers in Greece thought banning all forms of electronic games would lower the gambling rate in the country... of course, the absurd and broad law has been immediately challenged and now, EU is joining the action claiming that this hinders "free movement of goods and provision of services".

Irish gays get lucky?

2004-10-18T15:00:00.000-04:00

Ireland may grant more rights to gay couples

Perhaps Ireland wants to be as modern as it can, as soon as it can! After legalizing divorce 7 years ago, lawmakers are discussing the need to modernize the country's family law and they're even considering possibility of granting gay couple rights!

Suddenly, the Land of the Free and of the Liberty and of Rule of Law seems backward compared to Ireland that is mostly Roman Catholic...

No shopping on Sunday...

2004-10-17T17:12:00.000-04:00

Nova Scotians reject Sunday shopping

In order to further promote the stereotypical view that Canadians from the Atlantic Provinces are lazy, voters in Nova Scotia have rejected to overturn the year-round ban on Sunday shopping. Citing traditional values, majority (55%) believe that being different from the rest of North America is good.

All is not lost however: small convenience stores and stores destined for tourists may still remain open for business. The only question is whether North Americans find Nova Scotia different enough to go visit... or just snub completely.

Mandatory DNA collection...

2004-10-17T00:08:00.000-04:00

Ottawa wants porn producers' DNA

National DNA databank may get bigger if the legislation introduced by the Liberals on Friday goes through! They want persons convicted of making child pornography to cough up their DNA samples to be stored for ever and ever in the national database... Will this be just another hurdle to making child porn in this country? or will it provide enough deterrent to decrease the child porn?

Is Death Penalty getting better?

2004-10-15T22:31:00.000-04:00

MSNBC - Fewer death sentences handed out

According to a new report from the Death Penalty Information Center, juries impose fewer death sentences now then ever. Does this mean that it is reserved only for the serious crimes? Does this mean dealth penalty is justified?

Patents and Technology

2004-10-14T01:15:00.000-04:00

MSNBC - Patent Problems

This is a post for you IP lovers! (both Intellectual Property and Internet Protocol). This is a commentary on the patent system gone out of control in the technology field in a new book written by Adam Jaffe (Brandeis Univ) and Josh Lerner (Harvard Business School).

Dell recalls AC adapters!

2004-10-11T13:06:00.000-04:00

Dell expands AC adapter recall to about 4.4M - Oct. 11, 2004

Here is another public service announcement... Dell laptop adapters made in China and sold between 1998 and 2002 are being recalled due to a risk of overheating which could lead to fire or electrical shock.

Separation of the Church and the State

2004-09-30T23:14:00.000-04:00

Italians force referendum on fertility law

This is what happens when the "Church" (the big one) tries to influence a nation wanting to be secular! In Italy, 1 million people have signed a petition calling for a referendum on a law that would make it harder for infertile couples to obtain treatment. This law was passed by traditional Catholic-minded MPs and it seems that religious and value judgments have blurred the line between sound law and draconian edict!

Federal judge rejects part of Patriot Act

2004-09-29T13:28:00.000-04:00

MSNBC - Federal judge rejects part of Patriot Act

Finally someone recognized that civil liberties are important! In an unsurprising move, a federal judge found unconstitutional a part of the Patriot Act that forced businesses to disclose customer records without court intervention.

As many people have said, the disappearing civil liberties show that, in a way, terrorists have already won. Hopefully this decision will restore the rule of law (and common sense) back to USA!

Another way to get cheaper music...

2004-09-27T23:16:00.000-04:00

US judge strikes down bootleg law

It seems the Recording Industry Association of America has lost another legal battle. A judge in US ruled that a law prohibiting the sale of bootleg recordings of live music was struck down.

Legal battle between Microsoft and Spam...

2004-09-23T22:31:00.000-04:00

PCWorld.com - Microsoft Files More Spam Suits

It's hard to know who to cheer for when one side is the evil Empire of the computing industry and the other is the evil spam community. Maybe Microsoft is the lesser of two evils since they employ lots of lawyers in their various legal suits.

This should be interesting since they're also suing a hosting company for promoting spam generators.

Illigal Driving in California

2004-09-22T21:23:00.000-04:00

Schwarzenegger Vetoes Calif. Driver's License Bill

So it seems illegal immigrants won't be able to drive legally in California any time soon! So I guess they'll have to go back to driving illegally...

Children say the "truthest" things!

2004-09-21T23:21:00.000-04:00

Most kids won't lie in court, even if told to do so by a parent, study says

According to a study conducted by Lee, Victoria Talwar of McGill University, children will not lie on the stand even if the parents tells them to!

Perhaps children are more reliable than some adults who don't think perjury is a big thing... that gives me an idea! Why don't we make the juries 12 children instead of adults?

Can parents prevent children from having sex?

2004-09-21T23:14:00.000-04:00

Tokyo Official Wants Youth Sex Law

It is fairly uncommon to find unrealistic laws in many jurisdictions and this seems to be another one to add on the list: parents would be responsible for keeping school-aged children from having sex!

At least the official isn't too delusional: he admits it'll be hard to enforce the law...

Quid Novi Reloaded!

2004-09-19T00:43:00.000-04:00

Quid Novi Online

Quid Novi has been redesigned for this year. We think it's better than the version before since the layout is more clean and professional looking!

If you like it, or don't like it and absolutely need it changed, then send us your comments!

Is radio playlist factual?

2004-09-17T16:56:00.000-04:00

Wired News: Attack of the Radio Clones

Microsoft is at it again: they launched a service that might not be completely legal... or is it? They started charging people for listening to radio stations that sound like the real thing with "fewer ads, no DJ chatter and less repetition."

- More info in the article -

Public Service Announcement

2004-09-17T16:53:00.000-04:00

Wired News: Twist a Pen, Open a Lock

For those of you using bikes and Kryptonite brand locks, reading this article will probably prevent your bike from being stolen! Apparently, the lock can be opened with a ballpoint pen...

Temporary Death of Hockey

2004-09-15T20:07:00.000-04:00

The Globe and Mail: NHL Shuts Down

Well it's official! NHL's board of governors voted unanimously to lock out the players...
Even if this is not "law" related, I thought it is important since we live in a hockey nation!

For more detail on this issue, go visit the Globe and Mail website.

How to get Muslims and Jews together?

2004-09-08T23:28:00.000-04:00

CTV.ca | Canadian Muslims divided over Sharia

Here's a simple way to bring the two communities together: through a legislation! It seems the Arbitration Act is getting support from both the Islamic Institute for Civil Justice and the B'nai Brith Canada...

Is arbitration according to Sharia law correct?
Is it discrimination against Muslim women?
Is it discrimination NOT allowing Sharia?

Welcome to the blog!

2004-09-08T18:35:00.000-04:00

I'd like to welcome you to the Quid Novi blog.

Basically, this space is used by the editors to post things that we come across on the internet, and also daily events that happen at the Faculty.

We believe this is more informal and more fluid than a regular Quid issue. So check regularly and we'll try to be as relevant as possible and at the same time, as fun as possible.