Where to draw the line: the difference between a fan and a pirate in Japan

ABSTRACT

This article examines the gap between the public discourse favoured by right holders and politicians for strict copyright enforcement and industry practice where infringement is tolerated and sometimes even facilitated by the same right holders. Drawing on the Japanese contents sector surrounding Manga, Anime and video games, the interaction between strict copyright provisions, positive and negative market impact and broader considerations such as reputation and pay-offs are contextualised. It is demonstrated that right holders do not see infringing behaviour as such as a cause of action nor does it dominate how right holders want users to interact with their products. Instead, it is the wider context which determines if copyright will be enforced or not. Based on an analysis of copyright law, stakeholder interviews and observations at industry and stakeholder events, this paper clarifies where right holders draw the line between a pirate and a fan, especially the limited influence copyright law has in practice.     

Yusuf Islam (aka Cat Stevens) and his anti-war and pro-peace protest songs: from hippy peace to Islamic peace

ABSTRACT

In the 1970s Yusuf Islam (aka Cat Stevens) inspired a generation with his songs on anti-materialism, finding self and peace in such classic albums as Tea for the Tillerman (1970, US 3x platinum) and Teaser and the Firecat (1971, US 3x platinum). In December 1977 he converted to Islam, gave up popular music and focussed on humanitarian and educational work, until he returned to popular music in 2006. Meanwhile, Muslims became associated in the West as intolerant and violent. Yusuf has emerged in the last decade as a voice for progressive Muslims. This article explores the continuities in his music from his Cat Stevens days to his comeback and how he has reconciled popular music and his Cat Stevens past with his understanding of Islam. The focus is on his anti-war and pro-peace songs. It argues that his earlier songs are similar in their messages of world peace through love and unity, though less dark than his post-2006 songs. Additionally, his recent songs have a new message that the world must be more inclusive to achieve world peace. This is connected to him being a Muslim in the West and his feeling of exclusion, in an age when many in the West portray all Muslims as extremists. Consequently, in his recent music he reflects his experience as a Muslim, in the same way as his earlier music reflected the counter-culture of that period. Thus he has gone back to his earlier self after adopting a progressive understanding of Islam. Not Started Completed Rejected.     

章学诚的史学变革思想

章学诚的史学变革思想,涉及史意、历史编纂学、历史文学三个方面。章学诚的"史意"不仅具有著述宗旨、别识心裁之意,还包含撰述者关于历史和史学的体会、情感和价值取向,比"史义"内容更加丰富。其"圆而神"的撰述思想既有辩证法的思想因素,又有美学的意境。在历史文学上,章氏一方面强调史文应忠实地反映历史实际,另一方面又主张语言表达的神明变化。