In under two weeks NZ will have some of the harshest copyright laws in the world. Soon the presumption of innocence will be removed in copyright cases and a user's internet can be terminated on the basis of an accusation (without evidence or trial). Join in the grass roots campaign to stop this profoundly unjust law! I found this concise little explanation at the Creative Freedom Foundation website:
I've just become aware about some major proposed changes in NZ law that will have a huge impact on artists, businesses, and general members of the public: basically anyone that uses the internet, and I thought you should know about them.
The Section 92 of the Copyright Amendment Act assumes Guilt Upon Accusation and forces the termination of internet connections and websites without evidence, without a fair trial, and without punishment for any false accusations of copyright infringement. We should speak out against injustices like Guilt Upon Accusation being done in the name of artists and protecting creativity.
The countdown is on: we have until 28 February 2009 to influence government.
An organisation called the Creative Freedom Foundation has been set up to specifically represent artists voices on these issues. Check out their website: http://www.creativefreedom.org.nz, sign up and help our MPs make an informed decision about S92!
The campaign is asking people to black out their profile pictures on Facebook, Myspace and Twitter - as well as raising awareness of the issue among friends and other web users. This might not change the government's position but it should leave nobody in any doubt about the extent of public outrage over this legislation. Breaching copyright is wrong but what if the user whose internet access is denied is a library or school? Or what is the copyright holder's accusation is mistaken or malicious? The presumption of innocence until proven otherwise is fundamental to all constitutions (codified and unwritten) in every liberal democracy. To undermine it is a gross act of legislative arrogance and will result in profound injustice and malpractice. Let us not let this precedent be created - let's stand up for freedom and justice.
Posts
1 comments:
I wanted to go to the protest in Wellington, but didn't make it. Did you go? I cannot believe that this extremely poorly written legislation ever saw the light of day, let alone got passed, and I disagree with making ISPs the gatekeepers of the internet.
As with a lot of the repressive internet laws I've encountered, I wonder if the writers have ever used the internet and doubt it.
Post a Comment