Short Note #5

"Whenever a copyright law is to be made or altered, then the idiots assemble."

(...) 

"Only one thing is impossible for God: to find any sense in any copyright law on the planet."

Mark Twain's Notebook, 1902-1903

Short Note #4

Reading English case law can be fun: even the judges resource to the typical British dark humour and mockery while addressing cases. Do you want an example?

Merchandising Corporation of America Inc. and Others v Harpbond Ltd. and Others

[1983] F.S.R. 32

"This is an appeal by the plaintiffs against an order of Walton J. made on 25 November 1981, whereby he granted the plaintiffs some interlocutory relief by way of injunctions. But the plaintiffs, like Oliver Twist, have asked for more and, like Oliver Twist, they are not going to get it.

The appeal centres round what seems to me to be a novel and starting proposition, that there can be copyright in unusual facial make-up. Perhaps it is a sign of the times that it does not arise connection with women's make up but in connection with the make-up which he uses in the course of his performances as a pop star and in the publicity material with which he advertises himself to what no doubt is his adoring public.

(...)

It seemed to me, right at the beginning of Mr. Wilson's submissions (and I want to be restrained in my language), that it was fantastic to suggest that make-up on anyone's face could possibly be a painting."

Yeah, I am studying... a lot...

Short Note #3

One month! In fact, I think I have arrived at the campus about this time on the 14 September... During this time, a lot happened: meeting new people, visiting new places, discovering London, having the most interesting lectures, going back to Lisbon and returning with saudades (como disse a rapariga que anda pelas pampas, "por melhor que seja, as saudades sao fodidas" ou "por mais saudades fodidas que se tenham, é espectacular" - também não sei que frase escolher)...

This first month was very fast... At the same time, it feels like I have been here for the past year...

Anyway, I have not had the necessary mood for writing properly and I have been running from one place to another and doing a lot of readings... Hopefully, I will have the time (and the will... and the inspiration...) to return to the journey description in some days...

Short Note #2

Gotta love reaching the campus at 5am and, despite all the sleepiness, becoming really happy after getting the chance to see a little fox wondering around...