Notices by Matthew Rimmer (drrimmer@aus.social)

‘We live in a climate of fear’: graphic novelist’s Elon Musk book can’t find UK or US publisher https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/nov/23/we-live-in-a-climate-of-fear-graphic-novelists-elon-musk-book-cant-find-uk-or-us-publisher
Darryl Cunningham blames fear of ‘legal consequences’ for reluctance to take on book, now only available in French

Big Bunnings is watching you - Bunnings breached privacy laws by using facial recognition on customers, Commissioner finds https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-19/oaic-investigation-into-bunnings-facial-recognition/104613700 #auspol #auslaw #privacy #surveillance

World’s 1.5C climate target ‘deader than a doornail’, experts say https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/18/climate-crisis-world-temperature-target
Scientists say goal to keep world’s temperature rise below 1.5C is not going to happen despite talks at Cop29 in Baku
#climate #COP29

NSW government cracks down on three-day Port of Newcastle blockade, issues water exclusion zone https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-16/nsw-government-cracks-down-on-port-of-newcastle-blockade/104609684

Australia to pursue AI and social media regulation despite any Trump administration opposition, MP says https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/nov/11/australia-ai-social-media-regulations-trump-presidency-impact
When asked about Elon Musk’s objection to regulation, Ed Husic says government will ‘do what we have to do’
#auslaw #auspol #AI #socialmedia #trade #AUSFTA

The morality (and patentability) of inventions derived by immoral means (T 2510/18)
Rose Hughes
https://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-morality-and-patentability-of.html
#biodiscovery #patent #EUlaw #IndigenousIP
'The invention arose from research by The Institute for Development Research (IRD) into traditional antimalarial remedies used by indigenous communities in French Guiana. A survey of these communities, involving interviews with 117 Indigenous people, identified 45 remedies using 27 different plant species, including bitter ash. The researchers focused on bitter ash to subsequently identify and extract the anti-malaria compound, Simalikalactone E.'

A precedent-setting case alleges the oil giant misled investors about future emissions, using unsubstantiated data and following direct interventions by the chief executive. By Royce Kurmelovs https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/environment/2024/11/09/santos-faces-greenwash-charge#mtr #auspol #auslaw #greenwashing

'Prominent First Nations writers have also criticised the book, accusing Oliver of engaging in cultural appropriation, and his publisher, Penguin Random House UK, of making serious errors in judgment.' https://www.theguardian.com/food/2024/nov/09/jamie-oliver-apologises-after-childrens-book-criticised-for-stereotyping-first-nations-australians-ntwnfb #IndigenousIP #auslaw #auspol

Social media insiders warn user safeguards and efforts to stop disinformation have been 'cut to the bone' https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-04/social-media-whistleblowers-insiders-safeguards-disinformation/104547868

TEQSA commences legal proceedings against Chegg over academic cheating https://www.smh.com.au/national/five-students-were-caught-cheating-now-it-s-gone-to-court-in-a-landmark-case-20241104-p5knqx.html https://www.teqsa.gov.au/about-us/news-and-events/latest-news/teqsa-commences-legal-proceedings-against-chegg #auspol #auslaw

Families call for action on legacy asbestos as home renovators among those to contract mesothelioma https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-02/mesothelioma-asbestos-exposure-cancer-reform/104546126 #asbestos #healthlaw #auspol #auslaw

Wild weather today - Water spout forms on the Brisbane River as supercell thunderstorm brings hail to city
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-01/water-spouts-appear-in-brisbane-river-storm-brings-hail/104551466

WA Police seize largest collection of 3D printed guns in state’s history

WA Police have made the largest seizure of 3D printed guns in the state’s history, changing a Perth man with more than 40 offences including trafficking firearms. It has raised questions about whether regulations are keeping up with technological advancements.
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x981yny
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/wa-police-seize-largest-collection-of-3d-printed-guns-in-state-s-history/vi-AA1sWOBZ with a brief comment from me. #3dprinting #guncontrol #health #safety #criminallaw #auslaw #auspol

Inciting rioters in Britain was a test run for Elon Musk. Just see what he plans for America
Carole Cadwalladr https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/aug/18/inciting-rioters-in-britain-was-a-test-run-for-elon-musk-just-see-what-he-plans-for-america

Sotomayor says immunity ruling makes a president ‘king above the law’ https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/01/sonia-sotomayor-dissent-trump-immunity-case #uslaw #uspol

Investors awarded billions of dollars for losses related to climate laws, analysis finds
Fossil fuel firms are biggest beneficiaries of investor-state dispute settlement courts which have awarded $114bn of public money
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jun/06/investors-awarded-billions-of-dollars-for-losses-related-to-climate-laws-analysis-finds
#ISDS #climate

Gun reform advocate Walter Mikac celebrates 'bittersweet' win on 28th anniversary of family's death at Port Arthur https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-27/gun-reform-advocate-welcomes-firearm-register-funding/103776378 #auslaw #auspol #guncontrol #health #safety

Great Barrier Reef suffering ‘most severe’ coral bleaching on record as footage shows damage 18 metres down https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/11/great-barrier-reef-severe-coral-bleaching-impact
Marine researcher ‘devastated’ by widespread event that is affecting coral species usually resistant to bleaching

New bill would force AI companies to reveal use of copyrighted work https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/apr/09/artificial-intelligence-bill-copyright-art?CMP=share_btn_url

Adam Schiff introduces bill amid growing legal battle over whether major AI companies have made illegal use of copyrighted works. #copyright #AI

Judge dismisses ‘vapid’ Elon Musk lawsuit against group that cataloged racist content on X https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/mar/25/elon-musk-hate-speech-lawsuit “Sometimes it is unclear what is driving a litigation, and only by reading between the lines of a complaint can one attempt to surmise a plaintiff’s true purpose,” wrote Charles Breyer, the US district judge, in the ruling. “Other times, a complaint is so unabashedly and vociferously about one thing that there can be no mistaking that purpose. This case represents the latter circumstance. This case is about punishing the defendants for their speech.”
Center for Countering Digital Hate has chronicled rise of racist, antisemitic and extremist content on X since Musk’s acquisition