Open Source Now Protected by Copyright Law

The federal appeals court in the United States has ruled that open source software code is protected under copyright law, despite the fact it's given away for free. The ruling comes after a hobbyist posted free software used in model trains online.

Law Professor Larry Lessig said: "In non-technical terms, the Court has held that free licences set conditions on the use of copyrighted work. When you violate the condition, the licence disappears, meaning you're simply a copyright infringer."

The latest ruling means that when one is using open source software, they must now attribute the work to the original author, highlight the software's source and define the modifications made to the software.

Design Your Own 3D Item, Shapeways Will Send it to You.

A firm in the Netherlands is allowing people to design 3D items on their internet site. Peter Weijmarshausen describes the service as a natural extension of what people can already make over the Internet, such as videos, music or written works.

But instead of digital content, people can now design items wich are then manufactured and shipped to their home. The idea was based on the "Ironman" movie where you can see the hero designing items with a 3D software.

"People are creative in their leisure time; uploading films to YouTube, making profiles at social networking websites and posting on blogs" stated Shapeways executive Jochem de Boer in a an interview.
Each item is priced at 150 dollars (US).

Retiree Becomes the Second Person to Complete 24,000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle

England: 73-year-old retired sales manager Eric Smith has become what is believed to be the second person in the UK to complete the world's largest jigsaw. The puzzle in question has 24,000 pieces and measures 12 feet by 6 feet.

Smith spent several hours each evening over six months assembling giant puzzle. All other furniture had to be removed from a room to fit a table that would hold the jigsaw.