30 replies to this topic

[rbalch]

Hello all GZUers

I liked how Dorio and others worked to get the word out about SOPA and PIPA but we now have some more (similar/worse?) international copyright/trademark related 'agreements' being made and negotiated behind closed doors. "ACTA" and "TPP"

Please read:

Beyond ACTA: next secret copyright agreement negotiated this week—in Hollywood

The full text of ACTA will not even be release after a FOIA request. The request was denied for reasons of 'national security' by the Obama Administration

Of course the content-cartels would not stop after the fizzle of SOPA and PIPA. We need to stay aware of these things because they have the potential to change the Internet as we know it.

Dorio, let me hear your say on what you know about these two items, it seems you follow these things closely...

Anyone else, chime in here or, better yet, spread the word. I don't care in which country you live, these agreements can and will affect you

Rob

[Ayaura]

A little research into ACTA and TPP uncovered Bill C-11, in Canada, following SOPA in over extreme copyright laws that would make even recording TV and makeing backup copies illegal. I had no idea!

I also found a great blog by Michael Geist, a law professor at the University of Ottawa where he holds the Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law. His blog gives a great background, and up to date infromation and breaking news to information on ACTA and Bill C-11 with some very informative videos.

http://www.youtube.c...v=SKUv_27swF0#! (video imbedding not working? "You can't have the "#!" at the end of the address" -Rob)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKUv_27swF0


Also, see the Access website mobilzing for gobal digital freedom, for planned protests, media clips, and more information on ACTA.

Edited by rbalch, 06 February 2012 - 05:52 PM.
Fixed media embed

[dorio]

Dorio, let me hear your say on what you know about these two items, it seems you follow these things closely...

Very few people know what is ACTA exactly very few people have read it. It's a bad sign.
One of the very few things we know is that if you download some music or if you run a counterfeit medicine business for instance it's exactly the same. Sorry but I don't see how downloading some music or a film illegally can be comparable to making and selling fake medicines or fake bags or fake watches. This is absurd it's not the same thing so it should be dealt with differently.
The music and cinema industries they start to piss me off with their lobbying. If the problem of illegal download exists they have only themselves to blame unlike Steve Jobs they've been way to slow to come up with a legal offer. But it's too late now a generation was born they're used to downloading stuff and they won't stop.
But the problem is much more serious than copyright infringement. The internet has played an important role in the world to promote freedom of speech (which has been a nightmare for dictators) and I suspect that now the internet is seen as a counterpower in the west and other places in the east.
Seems like the goal of treaties negotiated in secret like ACTA is to place the Internet on permanent surveillance but that is only speculation on my part since I've not read the document. Update: all I know about the new TPP is what I read in the article you posted and it looks bad.

[Orchestrazia Ardwick]

America: the land of the free, and the home of the *word redacted*

[awesem]

[dorio]

Following Poland's lead (6 days ago) the Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas has announced that the government there will suspend the ACTA ratification process until the country has had more time to analyze the agreement: http://whatreallyhap...ta-ratification

From a different source the Czech Prime Minister said "by no means would the government admit a situation where civic freedoms and free access to information would be threatened."

Before signing a behind closed doors agreement one must read it very carefully including the small print. Hopefully these leaders have learned their lesson.

[Spongeyguy]

Good job, Yurrapeens.

[BrokenMirror]

NZ already has the Skynet bill. It's three strikes and we cut off your internet for good and prosecute you. There doesn't even need to be proof (you have to prove you're innocent!)

[rbalch]

There may come a day when we miss this Internet.

[Evil Midnight Bomber]

I like to believe the Internet will protect itself. Something as absurd as this isn't likely to make it through. Right?

[Spongeyguy]

The trouble is that the power to push it through is in the hands of people who don't know what the internet is..

[wooooogiecrisp]

ITS A SERIES OF TUBES!

[dorio]

They don't understand the internet they also don't understand how to deal with Europe. They wanted to finish this very quickly (too quickly) before alerting the public opinion but their plan was foiled and five countries including Germany have already delayed the process.

[Derf!]

I was defiant to bill C-11 so quick it made my head spin, but such things are better left to more driven people. I've spoken my peace to my mp. Let others be the symbol to unite under. I'll follow you if you have the will.

[dorio]

Unity is strength. A few days ago Avaaz.org delivered a 2 442 240 million signatures "save the Internet" petition to the European Commission in Brussels the petition is still on with a new target of 3 000 000 signatures you can sign here: https://secure.avaaz...he_internet/?fp - This petition helped to raise awareness that's for sure. Avaaz just started a new petition in order to have the European Commission instruct the European Court of Justice to do a full assessment of ACTA's threats to our rights and freedoms please sign the new petition here: http://www.avaaz.org...e_to_win_eu/?fp

[James_Coolidge]

I haven't heard much about this in a while.

[Seán]

could be a good sign, or it could mean they're just being sneakier. hoping for the former.

[James_Coolidge]

Aye. I hope they've gotten over it. The government, that is.

[Spongeyguy]

It's too bad that there isn't some sort of series of tubes transferring information freely throughout the world. I bet we could find out whats going on with one of those. I'd call 'em chazwazzas.

[Blugh Grant]

That'd never catch on.