Wired is running a nice summary of what's been going on in Kahle v. Ashcroft, an important case currently wending its way through N.D. Cal. The key question at issue is whether the public domain really means anything anymore. Thousands of early films and other works are decaying, and since their modern commercial value is basically nil, their owners have no interest in restoring them. Plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that to keep such works locked up in copyright, barring their restoration by third parties, is unconstitutional.
CIS is representing plaintiffs in this case, and Chris Sprigman has been has been blogging this.