Protest over 'ludicrous' internet law at Parliament
Waireka
19/02/2009 2:31:38 PM About 120 people gathered at Parliament today to protest against a contentious New Zealand internet law due to come into effect next week.
Many waved placards and several had their mouths taped.
The law at the centre of the furore is Section 92a, a proposed amendment to the country's copyright law, due to come into force on February 28.
British actor Stephen Fry has added celebrity heft to the campaign.
Protestor Peter Lanbrechtsn, a 33-year-old computer consultant, said he was appalled at both the former Labour-led and current National-led governments' approach to copyright in the digital domain.
"They aren't really listening to people. They don't understand the true implications of it.
"This is just a completely ludicrous law to try and enact.
"My concern is it is creating a situation where you are guilty until proven innocent," Mr Lanbrechtsn said.
This was contrary to the bill of rights and natural justice, he said.
The law instructs internet service providers that they "must adopt and reasonably implement a policy that provides for termination" of accounts used by anyone deemed a "repeat infringer" – regardless of whether the person has been convicted of a crime or not.
The new law would mean internet service providers would have to take on the role of "gatekeeper", blocking online access to anyone accused of flouting copyright laws and illegally downloading films and music.
The law says ISPs – such as Telecom and Vodafone - must disconnect internet service to anyone "repeatedly accused" of accessing copyrighted material online.
United Future leader Peter Dunne compared the law to the controversial and now repealed Electoral Finance Act.
"It represents the same threat to freedom of speech," he said.
Mr Dunne said he would table the petition today.
Richard Wood from Internet New Zealand said his organisation would like to see the controversial law canned or at least stalled until something better could be established.
"We need a thorough review of the copyright act so it works in the digital age," he said.
Mr Wood was hopeful the Government would act given the uproar and clear causes for concern.
"I would think it's essential that they take some action because there's clearly an issue here that affects basic human rights."
Labour MP Clare Curran is set to table a bill today which will attempt to address the concerns.
Meanwhile, a separate protest at Parliament over the war in Sri Lanka, featuring about 100 people, was happening simultaneously.
BLACKOUT
- The BlackOut protest is the brainchild of a Kiwi organisation called the Creative Freedom Foundation which is urging users to replace their avatars on all internet sites with a black box to illustrate what the internet could look like following the law change.
- Blacked out boxes have been appearing on social networking websites such as Twitter, Facebook, My Space and Bebo. Report this post
suki
21/02/2009 5:50:55 PM I am surprised no one has commented on this yet!! Report this post
anjewel
21/02/2009 5:54:18 PM There was a thread about it, I think Psalter had one, and someone else.. Report this post
Pricey7
21/02/2009 6:07:07 PM If you want to complain about my response below, then you firmly believe the law is OK... and that the earth is flat!!!
My response:
Was probably deleted because some cry-baby with no life laid a complaint that it infringed on some copywritten material.
FFS GIVE US A FKING BREAK!!!
Smile City should be throwing a bloody great fit over this!!! What if someone had them shut down because they complained that a reward partner was breaching copywrite??? Report this post
Pricey7
21/02/2009 6:09:14 PM one look at Google and you can see many instances where someone could construe breaches of copywrite!!! Will the ISP's shut us down for looking at that?
? Report this post
Pricey7
21/02/2009 6:13:34 PM Parallel importers who use the internet could be shut down by their ISP for breach of copywritten material, because the liscenced importer lays a complaint.... Theres SC rewards partner The Warehouse shot down...
In this instance the new law is dubious at best... The parallel importing and trade laws forbid such actions, but the new law allows it.... Report this post
alan111
21/02/2009 7:55:08 PM problem solved just download through a proxy server or use a ip changer Report this post
Waireka
21/02/2009 7:58:49 PM alan111
21/02/2009 7:55:08 PM problem solved just download through a proxy server or use a ip changer
Exactly, it's the computer savy who are abusing it that will get away with it.
The average Joe Bloggs will be the one affected by it. Report this post
SmUrF____187
21/02/2009 8:06:15 PM IP Changer is a waste of time. Whoever told you that is a moron. They can still digitally trace the account from the first instance. IP changers were used if you were banned. As it is your ISP account being shut down then theres no need to change your IP as you no longer have an internet connection.
Gateways are the reasonable answer and there are alot of online gateway companies which allow their services to be used for free. Which then brings up the next question. Would ISP companies blacklist these address so people who use thenm their accounts are flagged and hence forth shut down in case they were using it to look at copywrited material without fear of retribution. I would laugh my ass off if they did as I would love to see people in all major corp companies use one fo these online gateways to see their companies ISP's shut down.
My catch on it. If your going to use a proxy gateway, first off use one that is anonymous for two simple reasons.
1. Their anonymous.
2. They refresh every few hours and change.
Every browser comes equipped to use gateway proxies when surfing and torrents allow you to do the same as well. Report this post
superarmy
21/02/2009 8:18:21 PM Exactly, it's the computer savy who are abusing it that will get away with it.
The average Joe Bloggs will be the one affected by it.
I don't care then.
*walks away*
Okay seriously, I called Telecom and inquired about the process in which complaints will be made, from what they told me, the way that they are handling it seems legit. Report
The population of the whole world are like zillions of ants running around, watching each other in case they do something wrong.
WHAT IS WRONG?
