The Week in Review

This week we learn that Rockstar is a step ahead of the video game industry, politicians don’t like to make unpopular decisions and Zynga continues to lose money.

British Student Loses Extradition Battle Over Copyright Violation

Earlier, we reported on the case of Richard O’Dwyer, the 23-year-old British student facing extradition to the US over his part in creating popular torrent site, TVShack. Last Friday, a judge in the UK ruled that there were no valid reasons why O’Dwyer shouldn’t be sent to New York state for trial. O’Dwyer faces charges of copyright infringement and criminal infringement of copyright, both of which carry a five year maximum sentence. O’Dwyer intends to appeal to the verdict. (Link)

Rockstar Searching For “Next Gen” Talent

An advertisement found on Edinburg-based Rockstar North’s website describes the company’s need for Environment Artists on a next gen console. “You will be designing, building and texturing the world, have the technical knowledge to achieve great looking results and the skill to get the most from next-gen consoles,” the post read. (Link)

Acknowledging Blackout, Politicians Ditch SOPA

Assuming you have eyeballs, you’ve likely noticed that a number of popular internet destinations have gone dark today in protest of SOPA. Keen to ingratiate themselves with the legions who are now left stranded without the collective wisdom of Wikipedia, a number of politicians have publicly dropped support for the proposed bill, and are theoretically urging others to do the same. (Link)

Anonymous Exacts Revenge for Megaupload Takedown

Shortly after popular file-sharing site, Megaupload, was shut down in a federal bust, Anonymous gathered its forces for what is presumed to be a hastily-assembled DDoS attack on the Department of Justice website. Doj.gov is, at the time of this writing, down and out. RIAA.com, MPAA.org, copright.gov and the Universal Music Group’s website have since been taken down as well. (Link)

Zynga Loses $150 on Every New Paying Customer

Generally speaking, customers who want to give you money are the kind of customers you want to have. Money makes the world go ’round, after all, and it also helps keep businesses afloat. But there’s a tipping point at which what you do to get those customers outweighs their value and Zynga, in the opinion of Sterne Agee analyst Arvind Bhatia, blew past that point about $60 million ago. (Link)