ISP Witch Hunts in New Zealand
p2pnet news view Politics | Music:- The New Zealand government will officially commence operation as a Big 4 record label corporate copyright enforcement agency beginning next month, says the IFPI, p2pnet said at the beginning of the year.
It’ll become the, “first country in the world to implement a graduated response [three strikes and you`re out] system,” we said, quoting the IFPI (International Federation of Phonographic Industry) .
Now, “A new draconian law in New Zealand allows the American and New Zealand film and music industries to pressure Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to terminate any individual or business users solely on their say so,” says Alan McCright in Curmudgeon At Large, going on »»»
If an ISP resists, they may be sued for not complying with the new law – as has happened in Australia.
Under a new provision in the New Zealand Copyright Act (Section 92A), which comes into force on 28 February, internet users` accounts can be terminated as a result of unproven accusations of piracy. Section 92A states that if a copyright owner thinks that an internet user is guilty of repeatedly breaching copyright, then the user`s ISP will be forced the terminate their internet connections and websites.
In an internet version of the Salem Witch Hunts, the concept of innocent until proven guilty will be thrown out the window. Termination of Internet access will occur without any evidence, without a fair trial, without any right of appeal, and with no punishment for anyone making erroneous or malicious accusations of copyright infringement.
Under the bill, “copyright holders and ISP’s will discuss infringements, and disconnect repeat offenders,” says internettoughguy on Slashdot.
“ No proof is needed, as copyright holders (MPA or RIA) assert this evidence is to difficult and costly to come by,” he says, adding:
“This bill was originally put forward by New Zealand First, a (now defunct) right-wing political party, whose leader has already been to court facing charges of accepting money (above and beyond what a political party is allowed in New Zealand) from multi-billionaire Owen Glen.
“Could he have also accepted a bribe from RIA or even its big daddy RIAA? The bill is totally left-field for NZ first, whose policies mostly center around tightening immigration laws or raising pensions for the elderly.”
(Thanks, Schuyler King)
p2pnet – New Zealand: official corporate copyright cop, January 19, 2009
Curmudgeon At Large – Guilt On Accusation – Draconian Internet Copyright Law To Be Enacted, February 16, 2009
Slashdot – Draconian Copyright Legislation For New Zealand, February 16, 2009
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February 17th, 2009 at 9:47 am
First thing Kiwi citzens should do, is accuse their lawmakers that were part of drawing up this bill as having infringed on copyright. If at all possible make sure that they are accused of doing it at home and at the office. They should follow that up with accusing all owners and operators of ISPs of infringement too. Last all government offices and schools should be accused. I think at the end of the week, there would be some reconsideration on this lop sided bill.
February 17th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Exactly, everyone in NZ should call ISPs complaining about copyright infringement. First, email a government official, when they email back, look in the email ‘header’ (view source), and it will reveal the IP address used to send the email. Then call that IP in for infringement. If they are going to disconnect people without evidence, then call infringement in without any evidence.
asshats, FAIL
stw
February 17th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Why do we keep electing these yes men governments. why are they so scared of big bully USA.