New Zealand Temporarily Backs Down From Controversial Copyright Law
from the let's-see-what-happens-next dept
It looks like the widespread protests against New Zealand's awful copyright law have finally made government officials recognize that something is wrong. They've agreed to delay the implementation of the new law for up to a month -- as the government is hoping that ISPs can come up with a "code of practice" to help deal with copyright infringement online. What's not explained (at all) is why this should somehow be the ISPs responsibility at all. Still, it's good to see that New Zealand politicians are finally recognizing that this is an important issue, and they can't just claim it was a few geeks who were concerned about it.
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Filed Under: new zealand, protests, three strikes
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You see some vitriolic posts about here. Lots of name-calling and anger, presumably from consumers. I can only imagine that the government hasn't put together that anyone who's under 35 or so has probably infringed on copyright.
I've got to think the government thinks they are passing a law directed at a very small number of sneaky, sweaty, basement dwellers. When in fact, they are passing another law that makes everyone guilty.
Didn't the RIAA say 95% of music downloads were illegal? If 95% of people who want the music won't comply with the law, at what point do we start blaming the law?
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Re:
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Re: Mathmatics
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Code of practice
http://torrentfreak.com/code-aims-to-quell-new-zealand-3-strikes-fears-090204/
It includes provisions to make sure the evidence supplied by rights holders would stand up in court, and for "caution" when cutting access of "Vulnerable Customers" and "Essential Service Providers".
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Copyrights
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Re: Copyrights
I also find the absence the "privacy" issue disturbing. If the government where to read your mail on a routine basis to so that they can find out what you have done wrong, we would be hearing all sorts of howling about government interference. Private companies take aggressive action to read your packets(mail)without any due process, and there is silence?
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Re: Re: Copyrights
I don't think that packet inspection is the method that the RIAA identify the IP addresses of those making copyright infringements. I believe they set up servers within the p2p domain and record IPs of those downloading from their servers (with IP spoofing I'm not surpirised that little old ladies and printers have been acused).
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Internet IP infringement a red herring
A through check of all the P2P networks revealed that the actual number of downloads of the new U2 album, arguably a red hot commodity, was less than 5000 instances worldwide!
While this IS infringement (assuming the downloaded album is the genuine article...), it's hardly the claimed "massive number" claimed by McGuinness and Universal. Maybe they don't know how to check this, or maybe they are deliberately exaggerating to push their case to ban all internet activity except buying their music online.
A study last month found that over 80% of all P2P traffic is provably legitimate and likely 3/4 of the remaining 20% is lawful Fair Use, leaving only 5% or so that may be "illegal".
This is not a big number and far lower than pilferage from brick and mortar stores....
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Re: Internet IP infringement a red herring
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Some Context
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PM Still Thinks It’s A Good Idea
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Proposed Code of Practice "Unworkable"
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Pass the buck!
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TelstraClear Says No
TelstraClear, a major Telecoms and Internet company, says it won’t support a three-strikes code of practice.
This probably means the end of Section 92A altogether.
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RIP Section 92a
The Government is scrapping the controversial provision, to much relief.
However, I still hear rumblings that we need to “do something”, otherwise the US won’t sign a free-trade agreement with us. So there will doubtless be further attempts to sneak something draconian or DMCA-like onto our lawbooks.
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