Connect with us

Entertainment

US Congress passes COVID-19 stimulus bill that would make illegal streaming a felony

The US Congress has passed a COVID-19 stimulus bill that includes an anti-piracy proposal that would punish for-profit, illegal streaming services with felony penalties of up to 10 years in jail.

Passed by Congress on Monday night (December 21), the US$900billion stimulus package will revive unemployment benefits and launch a round of $600 stimulus payments to many Americans, among other provisions.

The 5,000-page bill also includes a proposal by Republican senator Thom Tillis, introduced less than two weeks ago, that aims to increase the penalty for operating a for-profit illegal streaming service, writes the Hollywood Reporter.

The bill proposes criminal penalties for operators of commercial sites who “willfully, and for purposes of commercial advantage or private financial gain, offer or provide to the public a digital transmission service” of unauthorised media.

Those penalties include fines and prison sentences of up to three years, or five if “the person knew or should have known that the work was being prepared for commercial public performance”. The sentences rises to up to 10 years for multiple offences.

This will not apply to individuals who access pirated streams or “unwittingly” stream unauthorised copies of copyrighted work. People who might use pirate streaming services will not be affected.

“The shift toward streaming content online has resulted in criminal streaming services illegally distributing copyrighted material that costs the U.S. economy nearly $30 billion every year, and discourages the production of creative content that Americans enjoy,” Tillis commented in a statement.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Entertainment

AFRIMA President speaks on fostering collaboration within African music community as BridgeAfric launches in Malawi |

Latest entertainment gist

The President/Executive Producer, All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, Mike Dada, would be sharing his thought at the BridgeAfric’s Southern Africa launch in Malawi on March 23, 2024.

It is in continuation of promoting and showcasing African artistes, providing them with platforms to reach a global audience beyond their home countries,

BridgeAfric is a revolutionary initiative aimed at connecting African artistes and industry professionals across the continent led by the dynamic Victoria Nkong.

Also Read:

With the theme; importance of fostering collaboration within the African music community, Dada would be speaking on the significance of working together in promoting African music on a global scale.

In his statement, the AFRIMA President noted that there are potential for growth and success that come from uniting artistes, producers, and other stakeholders in the industry.

Dada, who lauded BridgAfric for its efforts in connecting Malawians artistes with industry professionals, helping them to build their careers and reach a wider audience, said he is committed to supporting initiatives like BridgAfric that empower African artists and promote the rich diversity of African music. He believes that by working together, they can create a more vibrant and inclusive music industry that celebrates the talent and creativity of artists from across the continent.

“This is very significant for the growth, development and promotion of the arts and music industry in Africa, especially when you look at it from the point of view of collaborations, the Malawi music industry and connecting to the center of the journey of the ongoing movements and the development of the African industry to the global audience,” Dada submitted.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Entertainment

South African billionaire commits suicide

Latest entertainment gist

A South African billionaire, Markus Jooste has committed suicide as he was found dead with a gunshot wound near Cape Town.

It was reported that the billionaire shot himself in the head while taking a walk just few minutes from his Stellenbosch home.

The former Steinhoff CEO had been involved in an accounting fraud scandal as he got a hefty fine on Wednesday.

Police are investigating, stating that no foul play is suspected.

“It is alleged that the victim sustained a gunshot wound at around 1520 (local time) at Kwaaiwater and succumbed to death on his way to hospital,” Western Cape police spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut said in a statement.

Jooste’s death comes after a fine from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority for false financial statements linked to Steinhoff’s near-collapse in 2017 due to accounting irregularities. 

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Entertainment

El-Rufai Speaks On Dumping APC For SDP

Latest entertainment gist

A former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has denied rumours of his planned defection of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

El-Rufai made an unexpected appearance at the SDP National Secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.

The National Chairman of the SDP, Shehu Musa Gabam, and other chieftains of the party received the former Kaduna governor.

Reacting in a statement on Thursday issued by his spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai said he only visited the SDP headquarters to return a visit to the party’s chairman.

The former Minister said Gabam was among his friends who took part in the break of the Ramadan fast (Iftar) at his house in Abuja on Tuesday.

El-Rufai said he is known for being open and forthright, adding that his political decisions would not be subjected to speculation.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Most Popular

X

Copyright © 2022 Lifestyle Nigeria