Draconian Anti-Piracy Law Looms Over Australia

ccozan writes to tell us of a law being rushed through the Australian legislature that would criminalize great swaths of the citizenry. The Internet Industry Association of Australia is posting warning scenarios spelling out how far-reaching this law would be. From the release: "A family who holds a birthday picnic in a place of public entertainment (for example, the grounds of a zoo) and sings 'Happy Birthday' in a manner that can be heard by others, risks an infringement notice carrying a fine of up to $1,320. If they make a video recording of the event, they risk a further fine for the possession of a device for the purpose of making an infringing copy of a song... The US Free Trade Agreement does not require Australia to go down this path, and neither US nor European law contain such far-reaching measures. We are at a total loss to understand how this policy has developed, who is behind it and why there is such haste in enacting it into law — with little if any public debate."

Comments

Get ready, mate.

[Anonymous Coward]

Give up your guns and now look at where you're at.

Re:Get ready, mate.

[aquabat]

Yes, but you usians have the option to shoot the lawyers when they come to serve you the subpoena.

Re:Get ready, mate.

[Anonymous Coward]

Funny...but, a slight correction. The proper term for US citizens is "Americans".

So South Americans can't be called "Americans"?

How very odd that the USA would take the word "America" for itself! That's unlike the USA, to just take something.

Then again, I suppose all the other nations in the continent of North and South America would really rather NOT be known as Americans.

Re:Get ready, mate.

[DorianBrytestar]

There are no Mexicans left, there are only Future Californians.

think of it this way

[jpardey]

If you work at a music shop, and ever get tired of bad attempts at playing "Stairway to Heaven," you can take a vacation to Australia!

Re:think of it this way

[Anonymous Coward]

"No Stairway? Denied!"

I'm not worried

[macadamia_harold]

Draconian Anti-Piracy Law Looms Over Australia

Well, given that that Draco died in the 6th century BC, I doubt he'll have much luck enforcing his law.

Re:I'm not worried

[KlomDark]

Not true at all, I saw Draco hanging out with Harry Potter just the other day.

Re:Crikey!

[Shawn is an Asshole]

It's a stingray in the heart of freedom.

Re:Wow...

[myowntrueself]

I was contemplating moving to Australia to, but with England's nanny cams and this new law it looks like my english language options are pretty much shot.

Canada? Does that count as 'English language'?

Or have you heard of a place called 'New Zealand'? Small set of islands to the East of Australia...

Re:Civil Disobedience

[FreakWent]

At least you could try and get the colour glossy photographs barred as inadmissable evidence under the new copyright laws.

err, 4 times.

[toby]

Told you.

Re:it isn't that bad...

[RealGrouchy]

I say sing any number of immature variations and claim fair-use as "parody".

Happy birthday to you
This song's seventy-two
But each time I sing it
I still must pay you

- RG>

Re:Howard's a cunt

[VoltageX]

But where's the opposition? Who do I vote for? (turned 18 this year)

Re:Well, that's simple!

[dangitman]

Except Costello supports a republic.

... that is a vassal of Great Britain, and the United States.

Re:They almost made Linux illegal too

[Stormwatch]

It's not "fuck", you fool... it's "fsck".

Re:Proud to be an Aussie

[n0dalus]

I'd stand up and sing the National Anthem...

You call yourself an Australian? A real Australian would never bother learning the words to the National Anthem.