Did The EU Accidentally Support A '3 Strikes' Policy For Internet Users?

from the not-at-all-clear dept

There was talk earlier this week that, despite an earlier rejection in the EU of a "three strikes" plan that would effectively turn ISPs into copyright cops, a new vote might backdoor in the same results. The proposal was approved, but there appears to be considerable confusion over what it actually means. The text says that European regulators should provide "cooperation" between ISPs and those who are "interested in the protection and promotion of lawful content." To many, that sounds like turning the ISPs into copyright cops. But, the politicians who approved it claim it has nothing at all to do with copyright, saying that it's all about providing easier access to services:
"It is about new provisions so that users can find out about new services. It will make price comparison sites easier to set up, it will force regulators to give equivalent access to disabled users and enhance emergency services with caller location."
If that's actually the case, then the wording should be clarified, because you can pretty much bet that the entertainment industry will jump on the wording, along with claims of "international treaties" and demand that regulators force ISPs to comply with their every demand.
Hide this

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

Filed Under: europe, isps, politics, three strikes


Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread


  1. identicon
    Carl K., 9 Jul 2008 @ 2:57pm

    *Sigh* it's now all about masking intent, and how cleverly the wording is.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  2. icon
    Matt (profile), 9 Jul 2008 @ 3:04pm

    not the intention= intentional oversight

    I don't even give it 48 hours before the entertainment industry takes advantage of this. Stating that he is shocked,appalled etc that this could be taken the wrong way (per the register). Really, "interested in the protection and promotion of lawful content". Since when is disabled or emergency services ever placed into the question of "lawful" or not? Suddenly disabled access has to be lawful? This is if the register's quote here is taken as verbatim. I wouldn't even believe that phrase relating to disabled or emergency under any circumstance. If it does, that would also mean it applies to military as military is usually deemed "lawful".

    The man referenced, Malcolm Harbour, has some semi-questionable ties to MS at least per the wikipedia and his extreme software patent support (again supposedly wikipedia). I don't know what I think of the guy who tried to call it off as trying to help disabled, but I don't see that wording at all.

    Smells like doublespeak.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  3. identicon
    mike allen, 11 Jul 2008 @ 4:05am

    this goes further

    This package of telecom laws allows governments to approve all software used even programs like Firefox or Skype could be illegal if this is passed, according to some commentators
    look here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7492907.stm

    link to this | view in thread ]


Follow Techdirt
Essential Reading
Techdirt Deals
Report this ad  |  Hide Techdirt ads
Techdirt Insider Discord

The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...

Loading...
Recent Stories

This site, like most other sites on the web, uses cookies. For more information, see our privacy policy. Got it
Close

Email This

This feature is only available to registered users. Register or sign in to use it.