Illegal Distribution Research Articles

Salmonellosis Associated With Pet Turtles—Wisconsin and Wyoming, 2004

Salmonellosis associated with small pet turtles in the United States was a major public health concern in the 1970s. In 1975, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned commercial distribution of small turtles (i.e., those with a carapace of <4 inches). The FDA ban prevents an estimated 100,000 cases of salmonellosis among children each year. However, a recent resurgence in the sale of small turtles has generated concern. In Wisconsin and Wyoming, at least six human cases of salmonellosis have been linked to such turtles. This report describes the investigation into those cases. The findings underscore the need for health and environmental officials to prevent illegal distribution of small turtles and consider patient contact with turtles when investigating salmonellosis cases.

An Anonymous Fingerprinting Scheme Based on Additively Homomorphic Public Key Cryptosystem

This paper proposes an anonymous fingerprinting scheme based on the additively homomorphic public key cryptosystems. The proposed fingerprinting scheme enables the merchant to identify the illegal distributors without the help of a trusted third party when he/she finds an illegally redistributed fingerprinted copy. Furthermore, it allows two-party trials, i.e. there is no need for the accused (and possibly innocent) buyer to take part in the dispute resolution protocol and reveal his/her secrets. In addition, the problem of how to construct the anonymous public key and private key pairs is also addressed in the scheme. The security analysis shows that the proposed scheme is secure for both seller and buyer, and has the properties of anonymity and unlinkability for the buyer.

The many colors of multimedia security

Protection of artistic content from illegal distribution involves significant gray areas in terms of methods and laws.

인터넷 카페와 홈페이지의 어문저작물 불법 전송 실태에 관한 연구

본 연구에서는 인터넷 카페와 홈페이지의 어문저작물 불법 전송 실태를 조사분석하였고, 이를 바탕으로 저작권자의 권리를 보호할 방안을 모색하는데 목적을 두었다. 이러한 연구목적을 달성하기 위해 구체적인 연구 내용은 각 사이트별로 어문저작물 불법 복제 및 불법 전송이 이루어질 수 있는 개연성을 지닌 카페나 홈페이지의 메뉴들을 조사하였고, 전체 자료수, 어문저작물 자료수, 최고조회수, 평균조회수를 파악한 후, 어문저작물의 유형을 시, 소설, 기타 등으로 구분하여 분석하였다. 이러한 분석 결과, 정부나 저작권 관련 기관이 이를 법제화하여 통제를 하는 경우에 국내 어문저작물에 대한 순기능적인 인식의 확산을 저해할 요소가 있다. 하지만, 카페 및 홈페이지 운영자와 여기에 올리는 이용자 모두가 저작권에 대한 인식이 거의 없는 상황이므로 법제화 이전에 국민 계도 차원에서 단계별 교육 및 대국민 홍보를 강화할 필요성이 있다. 즉, 각각의 포털서비스 사업자가 사이트별 카페 및 홈페이지 운영자 및 이용자에 대한 저작권 관련 교육 및 시스템적 지원을 강화할 수 있는 방안을 강구해야 할 것이다.

Distribution of digital contents based on public key considering execution speed and security

Information security is becoming a more important factor in distribution of digital contents. Generally, illegal facsimile of high-quality multimedia products such as DVDs, MP3s and AACs is possible without damaging quality. Thus, the illegal distribution of duplicated contents on the Web is causing digital content providers great economic loss. Therefore, a study of security and efficient distribution of digital contents is required. The most important issues in the design of a digital content distribution system are user convenience, execution speed and security. In this study, we designed a digital contents distribution system that uses web caching technology and encryption/ decryption techniques in hierarchical structures. We propose a digital content distribution system that improves user convenience, security and execution speed. The superior performance of the proposed system has been proven in the tests. The results of experiment show that the developed system has improved the security of DC without decreasing process speed.

DRM 기술을 활용한 디지털 만화 콘텐츠 서비스 시나리오 개발

현재 디지털 만화 컨텐츠의 온라인상에서의 유통은 불법유통 및 저작권 보호체계의 미비 등으로 유통서비스 자체가 불안한 상태이다. 이러한 문제를 해결하기 위한 유통 모델 제시나 저작권 보호를 위한 연구가 국외에서는 활발하게 진행되고 있지만 국내에서는 아직 시작 단계에 머물러있다. 본 논문에서는 국제 표준화 기구에서 통용되는 MPEG-21, IMPREMATURE, FILGRANE과 같은 프로젝트의 디지털 콘텐츠 유통 모델을 분석하여, 디지털 만화콘텐츠 분야에 DRM 기술을 활용한 서비스 시나리오의 적용성을 모색해 보았다. 따라서, 디지털 만화 콘텐츠 분야를 대상으로, 다양한 실제 요구사항 및 비즈니스 모델을 지원할 수 있는 DRM을 적용한 유통 모델을 정의 할 수 있는 시나리오를 개발하였다. 세부 개발내용으로는 첫째, 표준 및 대표적 국제 사례의 DRM 유통 모델을 분석하고, 둘째, 디지털 만화 콘텐츠 유통 시나리오를 제시하며, 마지막으로, 디지털 만화 콘텐츠의 안전한 유통(secured distribution)을 위한 서비스 시나리오를 제안하였다. 본 논문의 연구결과물은 DRM의 적용 테스트베드로서 그 파급효과가 기대되는 디지털 만화콘텐츠 분야에 대한 서비스 시나리오가 디지털 보호 유통 기술 및 서비스 모델에 효과적으로 적용될 수 있는 기초연구를 제안하였다. In recently, digital comic content distribution was not stable for illegal distribution and the weak of intellectual property right in the internet. The research activities of suggest the distribution model and secure intellectual property right are going in international standard communities, not yet in Korea. As the basis of the research, the general framework of international projects and standards such as MPEG-21, IMPREMATUR, FILIGRANE was analysed. Targeting on the domain of digital comics industry, the digital comics distribution structure and business flow model are defined adapting secured distribution system, DRM. The detail content of this research consist of three themes. The first, survey and analysis of the international standard ＆ leading DRM project's models. The second, suggestion of the service scenario on the digital comic content distribution. The third, suggestion of the model on the secured distribution of digital comics. Through this research targeting at the digital comics business, we found that standards technical items and requirements was well adapted into target domain, and would affect other domain in digital content industry.

A color image watermarking scheme based on color quantization

Digital watermarking has been widely applied to solve copyright protection problems of digital media relating to illegal use or distribution. In the past few years, several gray-level image watermarking schemes have been proposed, but their application to color image watermarking schemes is scarce and usually works on the luminance or individual color channel. In this paper, a new color image watermarking scheme based on the color quantization technique is proposed. Experimental results are shown to demonstrate the validity of the proposed scheme. Furthermore, the proposed scheme can be applied to other multimedia applications that are based on the color quantization technique.

Innovative product and customer retention: Strategies in the music business ‐ An analysis of Santana's enhanced album “Shaman”;

The music business is facing hard times with declining CD sales and increasing piracy. Whereas the economic downturn is one reason for lower sales, the industry has decided to target the second factor, the fast diffusion of technologies such as CD burners and peer‐to‐peer networks like KaZaA allowing massive illegal distribution of music. Some labels focused on an offensive strategy to promote their artists. New services are being added to so called Enhanced CDs that create a new user experience. These CDs offer bonus content (i.e. videos, additional songs, pictures, or lyrics) stored directly on the CD that can be accessed on the PC. Other CDs offer (additionally) online access to actual bonus content or services (i.e. tour dates or news) if the CD is entered in the FC. The impact of these services on consumer experience has not yet been researched in depth and it remains unclear if consumers actually use the offered services on Enhanced CDs. The music label Arista has introduced several new albums on Enhanced CDs to the market providing more value to the user instead of reducing the utility by focusing only on copy protection. This article analyzes the usage of such services provided by Arista and focuses on Santana's new album “Shaman”;. Using a unique data set provided byfavakitty Media (Bandlirik) and Arista, we show for the first time what services are actually used by Santana fans and compare the results to albums of other artists such as TIC or Toni Braxton. Our results indicate that Enhanced CDs are used frequently by a relatively small group of fans, providing more value to the customer and creating a stronger relation between fans and artists.

Robust and efficient content-based digital audio watermarking

This paper proposes a set of digital watermarking schemes for WAV audio, WAV-table synthesis audio and compressed audio. The watermark embedding scheme is closely related to audio content and based on the human auditory system. The experimental results in listening and robustness illustrate that the proposed watermarking schemes can achieve an optimal balance between audibility and robustness of the watermarked audio. The proposed methods are also very useful and effective for copyright protection, tracing illegal distribution and other applications.

Is hyperlinking to decryption software illegal?

Is a computer program a form of speech, protected in the United States under the First Amendment of its Constitution, or is it a device? In a case now under appeal, a federal court in New York City ruled that so called DeCSS software $computer code that breaks the encryption scheme of DVDs - while deemed speech of a sort, does not merit the constitutional protection afforded to "pure expression." The federal court agreed with the case's movie-industry plaintiffs that DeCSS "accomplishes a mechanical task," and so resembles a device and is not protected. The court went even further: hyperlinks to pages with the DeCSS code may in some cases not be constitutionally protected speech and could be prohibited from being implemented. The plaintiffs in the case, eight movie studios, belong to an industry trade group, the Motion Picture Association of America, in Encino, Calif. The studios sued 2600, a quarterly magazine for hackers, for publishing the DeCSS code on its Web site and linking to other pages that also displayed the DeCSS code. The suit asked that 2600 be enjoined from both activities. The studios are concerned that code like DeCSS renders their encryption scheme ineffective, and that illegal copying and distribution of digital movies could become widespread.

Spies, thieves, and lies: the battle for multimedia in the digital era

Multimedia security has become an immediate concern for content providers, artists, and the entertainment industry. The apparent panic over the need for an effective mechanism for digital media rights protection echoes in many of today's news stories. The fundamental cause for this frenzy is the leakage problem. The leakage problem involves the illegal duplication, unlawful tampering, and wrongful distribution of media. Because of the popularity of handheld digital cameras, online news magazines, and movies on digital versatile disk (DVD), traditional forms of analog media are being replaced with new digital counterparts. Advances in digital media storage, duplication, editing, and transmission technologies have made this alternative more flexible, scalable, and cost effective for emerging applications. Ironically, however, these same appealing conveniences have facilitated large-scale piracy of and unlawful tampering with digital content. Because of analog media's media, high-quality duplication is expensive and therefore inaccessible to the average consumer. Despite new legislation by governments and the ongoing efforts of the entertainment and high-tech industries, there has been little progress in preventing multimedia theft and tampering.

Gambling, Drugs, and Sex: New Drug Trends and Addictions in Honolulu, Hawaii, 1998

The focus of this research was on the use of ethnographic methods and sociological techniques to access a hidden population of active street drug addicts in a major capital city. Selection was based on (1) a self-report of a current addiction to crack–cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, and/or heroin and (2) frequent the “Chinatown” district in Honolulu, Hawaii. Legitimate businesses are noted as openly marketing drug paraphernalia, while drug treatment programs capitalize on medical insurance reimbursements from addicts. Food stamp fraud was quite prevalent as food stamps were being traded for (1) food, (2) money, (3) alcohol, (4) tobacco (5) drugs, and (6) sex. Pornographic movie theaters and illegal gambling houses contribute to illegal drug use and prostitution by providing convenience to traffic narcotics and privacy for the purchase of sex. Due to the expense of drug addiction, those involved in prostitution reported that condom use was negotiable and price-dependent, which posed a greater risk for AIDS and HIV transmission. Prescriptions written by mental health outreach programs resulted in a proliferation of certain drugs causing illegal distribution and use among street addicts. The research findings indicate a predominantly sociological explanation of drug addiction in which the acquisition of drug-using behavior was a social learning experience.

Black Market in Anabolic Steroids—Analysis of Illegally Distributed Products

Abstract Anabolic steroids found in the illegal market often do not contain ingredients declared on the label. Forty-two products encountered in the illegal distribution channels were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Fifteen of the products did not contain the expected ingredients. Mainly, counterfeits of parabolan and primobolan products were found. Instead of trenbolone or metenolone, the cheaper agents nandrolone or testosterone derivatives were identified. In one product the gestagene progesterone was found. In two other cases no steroid was present or tocopherole was substituted.

Athletes' Use and Abuse of Drugs.

In brief: This article presents a review of the literature on drug misuse by athletes and information from 16 sports and medical organizations whose representatives met in 1985 to discuss the problem. Studies of drug use by athletes are relatively few. Existing data do not show a difference in drug use between athletes and nonathletes, but anabolic steroids probably are used more widely among athletes. Our review disclosed little evidence that drugs can improve an athlete's performance without also posing the threat of serious harm. Major sports organizations have banned the use of anabolic steroids, stimulants, diuretics, analgesics, beta-adrenergic blockers, cocaine, marijuana, and heroin, and some have begun testing athletes. Physicians should assist efforts to prevent the illegal distribution of drugs and should help with existing education and testing programs.

Part 1: The illegal distribution of western medicines in developing countries: Pharmacists, drug pedlars, injection doctors and others. A bibliographic exploration

Part 1: The illegal distribution of western medicines in developing countries: Pharmacists, drug pedlars, injection doctors and others. A bibliographic exploration

Legal and Illegal Patterns of Drug Distribution in the United States

Along with large supply sources of legal and illegal drug substances, diversion and distribution systems have developed to feed and maintain the demand. This presentation provides information on the diverting of drugs from legal and illegal sources as well as the characteristics of the distribution patterns.

Traffic in Amphetamines: Patterns of Illegal Manufacture and Distribution

Traffic in Amphetamines: Patterns of Illegal Manufacture and Distribution

The nature and speed of flashpowders

High volume screening of parcels with the aim to trace the illegal distribution and selling of fireworks using postal services is challenging. Inspection services have limited manpower and means to perform extensive visual inspection. In this study, the presence of solid pyrotechnic residues collected from cardboard shipping parcels containing fireworks was investigated for direct in-field chemical detection. Two emerging trace detection techniques, i.e., capillary electrophoresis (CE)-based inorganic oxidizer detector and infrared thermal desorption (IRTD) coupled with direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS), were investigated for their potential as screening tools. Detection of non-visible pyrotechnic trace residues from real-case seized parcels was demonstrated using both screening techniques. However, the high nitrate background in the commercial CE system complicated its screening for black powder traces. IRTD-DART-MS allowed differentiation between flash and black powder by identification of the molecular inorganic ions. Compared to the portable CE instrument, rapid screening using IRTD-DART-MS is currently limited to laboratory settings. The capabilities of these emerging techniques established solid particle and trace residue chemical detection as interesting options for parcel screening in a logistic setting.