EUROPEANS! You have until MONDAY to contact your MEP and save Internet freedom!!!

[Cifra]

http://www.boingboing.net/2008/07/05/europeans-you-have-u.html

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EUROPEANS! You have until MONDAY to contact your MEP and save the EU from a three-strikes copyright rule!
Back-room dealings in the European Parliament have resulted in a "three strikes" rule being included in a new telecoms bill -- the rule would force ISPs to kick people who've been thrice accused of copyright infringement off the Internet.

If this bill passes, then Europeans' access to the network that delivers freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, access to medicine, family, civic engagement, banking, government services, and the whole sweep of human online endeavor would last only so long as they avoided three unsubstantiated accusations of downloading music or video or software without permission.

Worse still, the bill is set to be voted upon on July 7 -- that's this Monday.

"The Open Rights Group has instructions for contacting your MEP. If you live in the EU and you care about your future as a citizen of the information society, call right away and make sure your MEP knows that this matters to you. "

[smartboyathome]

http://www.boingboing.net/2008/07/05/europeans-you-have-u.html

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EUROPEANS! You have until MONDAY to contact your MEP and save the EU from a three-strikes copyright rule!
Back-room dealings in the European Parliament have resulted in a "three strikes" rule being included in a new telecoms bill -- the rule would force ISPs to kick people who've been thrice accused of copyright infringement off the Internet.

If this bill passes, then Europeans' access to the network that delivers freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, access to medicine, family, civic engagement, banking, government services, and the whole sweep of human online endeavor would last only so long as they avoided three unsubstantiated accusations of downloading music or video or software without permission.

Worse still, the bill is set to be voted upon on July 7 -- that's this Monday.

"The Open Rights Group has instructions for contacting your MEP. If you live in the EU and you care about your future as a citizen of the information society, call right away and make sure your MEP knows that this matters to you. "

If this bill passes, I am afraid worse might happen in the U.S. They always seem to take the worst ideas and try to apply them here. :(

[intense.ego]

Are you sure about this? This is the first I have heard of it. I doubt something this big would go unnoticed unless it was done really secretly.

[oomingmak]

Are you sure about this? This is the first I have heard of it. I doubt something this big would go unnoticed unless it was done really secretly.
That is exactly how these things end up passing into legislation unopposed (because everyone is expecting someone else to notice it and do something about it).

Just as bad (if not worse) are the ACTA proposals to be discussed by the G8 this month.


http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/05/27/music-film-industry-police (http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/05/27/music-film-industry-police)

http://ipjustice.org/wp/campaigns/acta/ (http://ipjustice.org/wp/campaigns/acta/)


We are all the bitches of the entertainment industry. They will go to any lengths (regardless of consequences, legitimacy, efficacy or indeed legality) to ensure protection of their copyright (i.e. revenue streams) even if it means fundamentally undermining people's rights and artificially criminalising their paying customers.

[Canis familiaris]

We are all the bitches of the entertainment industry. They will go to any lengths (regardless of consequences, legitimacy, efficacy or indeed legality) to ensure protection of their copyright (i.e. revenue streams) even if it means fundamentally undermining people's rights and artificially criminalising their paying customers.

And still they fail in in the protection. They only cause headaches to ordinary, honest people.

[billgoldberg]

Those little sneaky bastards.

What is a MEP, and how can I contact mine?

[Elfy]

You can get a list through the link in the first post.

[Cifra]

I'll probably be doing it if its possible and I'm trying to persuade my friends too.

[Barrucadu]

I just sent an email:


To Timothy Kirkhope, Diana Wallis, Richard Corbett, Godfrey Bloom, Linda McAvan and Edward McMillan-Scott,

I read today about a proposed series of amendments to a certain EU legislation to be voted on in the European Parliament on the 7th of July, next Monday. These amendments would require ISPs to disconnect their customers who are found to be participating in illegal file sharing after three strikes.
I urge you to oppose this motion, as the Internet is the only truly free place left in this increasingly restricted and privatised world. If Internet restriction starts now, how long until a situation as present in China emerges? I believe the phrase "Who will guard the guards?" applies here; if this abolishion of freedom starts now, who can tell where it will end?
So please, I urge you to oppose this affront to the freedom of the European citizens.

Thank you, yours sincerely, Michael Walker

[Captain panda]

Ug. I live in the US, but I still really hope that this does not pass.

[Cifra]

I just sent an email:
Power to you!

[zmjjmz]

Ok, I'm not European, but two points you should use.
A) It says that the claims don't have to be proven, just accusations. Bad.
B) These laws have already been voted out before (see comment #3 of the article).

GO GO GO

[gn2]

This is a complete and total FUD-mongering non-story.

In order for it to work, ISP's would require to inspect all the traffic over their networks for copyrighted material, then investigate as to whether or not it is being legitimately transferred.

This would be like the post office opening everyone's mail and inspecting it.
There just isn't any way it can ever be done.

This legislation is simply impossible and unworkable, even if the three strike law comes into being it would be as useful as a statute that prohibits the tide from coming in.

[Barrucadu]

In order for it to work, ISP's would require to inspect all the traffic over their networks for copyrighted material, then investigate as to whether or not it is being legitimately transferred.

No; It would simply require the ISPs to listen when the copyright people start randomly spying on network usage and reporting file sharing.

[oomingmak]

This is a complete and total FUD-mongering non-story.

Is it?

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/06/26/bt_bpi_letter/ (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/06/26/bt_bpi_letter/)



This legislation is simply impossible and unworkable.
What's your point? That's never stopped inane proposals passing into law in the past. I don't see why it should be any different this time.

[R_T_H]

I really don't like to advocate illegality, but someone skilled (unlike I :() should take direct action against the draconian ISPs. The law's going to pass, whatever we say...

[Kosimo]

Damn!! Let's hurry!!!!!!!!!!!

[blastus]

If an ISP terminates your account can't you just go to another ISP? Is the EU going to maintain records (which they would absolutely have to do) for everyone and require all ISPs to get clearance from them before signing someone up for Internet access? What if there is more than one person in a household, would another member of the household be able to get Internet access?

Edit: What about mobile data plans? If someone gets their home Internet access terminated do they still keep their mobile plan? Vice versa?

[Sealbhach]

I think they'll find it unenforcable.

I tend to respect copyright anyway so personally I don't really care.

.

[gn2]

Is it?

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/06/26/bt_bpi_letter/ (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/06/26/bt_bpi_letter/)

Yes it is a complete non-story, from the article you linked to: "Committed downloaders are able to take technical counter-measures to dodge detection"

[oomingmak]

Yes it is a complete non-story, from the article you linked to: "Committed downloaders are able to take technical counter-measures to dodge detection"
The point is not whether you can dodge the law or not, the point is that people are being criminalised on flimsiest of evidence (or even on the mere say-so) of the entertainment industry, without any due process. This sets an alarming precedent and is of concern to anyone who cares about freedom.

You may think that the erosion of civil liberties and legal rights is a "non-story", but there other people that would beg to differ.

[gn2]

You may think that the erosion of civil liberties and legal rights is a "non-story", but there other people that would beg to differ.

I do not think this at all.

What is being considered is a means of preventing people from breaking existing laws.

Illegally distributing copyrighted material hardly constitutes a "civil liberty" or a "legal right"

Dedicated participants in this already illegal activity will have no compunction in flouting this new law and taking measures to avoid detection, which they will be easily able to do, which is why in my opinion this is a non-story.