Step by tiny step most governments of western countries are destroying (or attempting to destroy) the most important concept that made their way of life possible: that of freedom of speech. It is a depressing sight.
Fortunately, no government understands the internet.
It is possible that this law is being pushed because of Berlusconi's media interests but don't for a minute think that opposition politicians don't like the idea. Their only objection would arise from Berlusconi's possible benefit, not to the state control and bureaucracy involved.
I used to always use adblocker, but I no longer have a problem with most ads. However, some ads are very intrusive: anything with sound; ads that expand when you so much as brush them with your mouse pointer; and, most annoyingly of all, ads that are mis-sized for their allocated space on the page - which then block actual page content.
FYI: Techdirt's sponsors' sidebar has a (I think) Nokia ad which is a nice example of the latter of these which was plaguing me yesterday.
The part of this story that surprised me most was that a US company sold a product cheaper in the EU than in the US. I don't think I have ever heard of that happening before; it's always the other way around.
While I suspect at some point in the next there two will finally be a few good sites to watch all your favourite shows on demand at a price (be it ads, pay per view or subscription) most are happy with. I am absolutely sure there will be very little available outside the US and Canada the TV industry will still be screaming about piracy - despite the fact that there is either a) no other option, b) overly long release windows, or c) riduclously high costs for consumers.
There is the unfortunate problem of the general election to be held some time before 06 June. Can we really trust this government not to politise this important review and, indeed, not draft any amendments to the law so poorly as to make a mockery of the review?
The UK's libel laws are one of the many reasons I am becoming increasing ashamed of my country. We used to be a bastion of free speech, no more. What is more the Government and Parliament know it is a problem, and has been for years, and haven't done a thing about it. Those in power have forgotten the importance of free speech: so much so that ours libel laws are evening beginning to threaten medical research and practice, as drug and equipment manufacturers begin to sue over papers in medical journals.
Dara O'Briain works and, I believe lives, in the UK. The fact that his nationality Irish doesn't affect the fact that he is, to all intents and purposes, a 'UK comic'
The really annoying thing about all this is that there is often no possible legal download method. With music you usually have plenty of options, with film it's difficult and with TV you're pretty much stuffed.
Even when something is available the pricing structure is ludicrous: I'm sorry but a file of a TV episode, that I am only ever allowed to download once, and only ever allowed to watch on the computer I downloaded it to, does not have the same per episode value as a DVD.
I do not own a TV so I would happily pay to download and watch new shows from premium channels. I'd even pay to guarantee that content that is currently freely available stays available until I've have a chance to watch it. Unfortunately our TV companies don't provide anything like a good enough online service (the BBC is streaks ahead but still falls short).
I'm sure Amazon and iTunes would happily fill the breach but they're often hamstrung by shortsighted US networks who cannot understand that they might need to allow people outside the US and Canada access to new shows. The Murdoch family has beat a bit of sense into them over this, as evidences by the closing gap between broadcast dates across the Atlantic, but having to rely on the Murdochs is hardly ideal.
On the post: UK Gov't Tells MPs They Can't See ACTA Details
The UK has no say in ACTA
If the EC is involved then no EU country has any real negotiating power; the EC is all.
David Lammy knows this but doesn't want Parliament to realise it, especially with an election coming up.
On the post: UK Man Arrested And Banned From Airport For Twitter Joke About Blowing Up An Airport
I refer you to your previous post.
On the post: Sometimes Protecting Free Speech Means Protecting Speech You Don't Like
Free speech is a dying concept...
Fortunately, no government understands the internet.
On the post: Asking Citizens What They Want Out Of Copyright Law Is Really Just A 'Tactic To Confuse'?
The EU ignoring public opinion? I'm shocked!
Honestly, I am.
Okay, I'm not. Those EU trade negotiators don't give a damn what EU citizens want; they're hardly likely to care about Canadian opinions.
On the post: Proposal In Italy Would Require Gov't Authorization To Upload Any Video
Don't count on opposition
On the post: Google Explains Why Ad Blockers Aren't A Problem
To block or not to block
FYI: Techdirt's sponsors' sidebar has a (I think) Nokia ad which is a nice example of the latter of these which was plaguing me yesterday.
On the post: Copyright Monopolies In The Middle Of Health Care Reform Debate As Well
Re: National Health Service
On the post: Supreme Court Considers Case Over Using Copyright Law To Block Import Of Gray Market Goods
Wow
On the post: The Next Big Battle: Cable TV vs. The Internet
On the post: UK Sets Up A Panel To Review Libel Laws
The problem...
On the post: Increasing Concern Of UK's Draconian Libel Laws And How They're Abused
On the post: Increasing Concern Of UK's Draconian Libel Laws And How They're Abused
Re:
On the post: UK Gov't Now Supporting 3 Strikes: Lobbyists Win Again
Even when something is available the pricing structure is ludicrous: I'm sorry but a file of a TV episode, that I am only ever allowed to download once, and only ever allowed to watch on the computer I downloaded it to, does not have the same per episode value as a DVD.
I do not own a TV so I would happily pay to download and watch new shows from premium channels. I'd even pay to guarantee that content that is currently freely available stays available until I've have a chance to watch it. Unfortunately our TV companies don't provide anything like a good enough online service (the BBC is streaks ahead but still falls short).
I'm sure Amazon and iTunes would happily fill the breach but they're often hamstrung by shortsighted US networks who cannot understand that they might need to allow people outside the US and Canada access to new shows. The Murdoch family has beat a bit of sense into them over this, as evidences by the closing gap between broadcast dates across the Atlantic, but having to rely on the Murdochs is hardly ideal.
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