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New Zealand Halts Internet Copyright Law Changes
phobonetik writes "The New Zealand Prime Minister announced his Government will throw out the controversial Section 92A of the Copyright Amendment (New Technologies) Act and start again. The proposed law changes contained 'guilty upon accusation, without appeal' clauses and heavy compliance costs to ISPs and businesses. The changes were hours away from being signed but a series of online protests, a petition on Government grounds, as well as public rebuttal by a large ISP and by Google contributed to the Government changing course and respecting the wishes of the IT industry."
"The proposed law changes contained 'guilty upon accusation, without appeal' clauses and heavy compliance costs to ISPs and businesses."
What the HELL, New Zealand?
What about the wishes of the, um you know... people?
Seems like every other day now a new crazy law is put in place, just to be repealed a week later. What is this, a circus?
> The changes were hours away from being signed but a series of online protests
> (...) Government changing course and respecting the wishes of the IT industry.
So whats the point in going to vote in the first place if theres no guarantee that the will of the people will be mirrored in the actions of the elected goverment until mass protests fill up the streets (or tubes)?
It seems that we easily could just appoint a dictator for life once and then keep protesting against his decisions we dont like, it wouldnt in practice be any different to the current situation.
Either we have a democracy, in which case demonstrations and protests again the democratically elected goverment shouldnt be needed, or we dont, in which case we dont need elections.
Good Lord, it sounds like we need to invade and liberate Australia. Guilty upon accusation laws only summon up memories of Joseph Stalin and similar bums.
Here's a few tips to any politician:
What's with all the really uptight censorship and recording/movie industry "yesManning" going on down in that part of the world? I'm really glad the Kiwis came to their senses on this one, but it seems like this success is just a drop compared to a much bigger bucket.
I know, I know, I'm preaching to the choir, but judging by some of the more recent legislative gems we've been hearing about it just seems like lawmakers around the world are either insane or bought and paid for (or more likely; BOTH).
The Digital Sorceress
Viva La Revolucion!
Now pass the chips bro!
That would require a ridiculously complex system of checks and balances.
Easy: Lobbyist writes check, bank increases elected official's campaign committee's balance.
Seems like a similar reaction Canada's minister (Jim Prentiss) had last year when he tried to pass a bunch of RIAA sanctioned copyright laws - He seemed surprised that anyone cared about the issue.
This news from New Zealand is extremely good news, (at least for now - they may sneak it back in piecemeal when the furor dies down),
At least some politicians can be made to feel the heat and go against the wishes of very high paid lobbyists.
Seems like one big problem, is that the mainstream media benefit by deals like the ACTA nonsense (national security my ass!) so will not dare print anything negative about it.
Very difficult in the current economic crisis to get any attention span.
Since politicians like soundbites, how about an internet headlines campaign:
"Obama appointees help RIAA sue Teenagers" or
"Government uses national security claim to protect the recording industry"
Try it yourself!
Bavarian Purity Law of Rice Krispie Squares: Rice Krispies, Marshmallows, Butter, Vanilla.
I know it's not easy but:
Australia != New Zealand
Then allow me to rephrase: Good Lord, it sounds like we need to invade and liberate Australia to set up a base from which to threaten New Zealand.
Sounds like you should move to New Zealand.
In other news... tl;dr
I think the tag "suddenoutbreakofcommonsense" could not be further from the truth!
After *Overwhelming* opposition via petitions, public outcry, comments from a "large ISP" and *Google* the "Govt" eventually backed down hours before this law passed.
This absolutely stinks of arrogance, grim determination and bloody-mindedness demonstrated by the "Govt" to try and *force* this law through despite widespread popular opinion and only backed-down at the last "conceivable moment".
If this was down to common sense the "Govt" would have abandonded this months ago or even at the earliest stages of discussion.
One way or another this law in some form is going to be passed. As other posts have said it will be pushed through some obscure law out of the publiic eye.
Obviously, the "Govt" do not think IT industry, Google and the *New Zealand People* are important enough to have an opinion.
Just look at the U.K. (where I live) to see what is happening.
Do now let this continue the fight is not over yet!
Any government should be the voice and representation of the people - we DO NOT serve the government for it's own purposes - THEY SERVE US.
We're facing an uphill battle. The evil forces of Sarkozy-Universal are occupying the territory; they will probably be stopped by the European Parliament, but there will be much blood.
In any case, that's good news from NZ, something for the resistance forces to use during the upcoming parliamentary debates.
"gubberment bad, people good", guaranteed positive mod points. Sure it's good to be sceptical but where is the insight in the parent post?
How about:
people> We want no taxes but good services.
people> We want more efficiency but no layoffs.
people> We want to drive big fat cars, cheap petrol, clean air and an end to funding nasty regimes
people> We want conspicuous consumption and a clean environment
people> We want total safety, zero risk, absolute liberty, no personal responsibility and no nannying from the state
govm't> *explodes*
I'm sorry if I haven't offended anyone
I am more concerned that this kind of idea is even in the west. It seems that we have a LOT of facism going on. In light of Biden's ties to the RIAA and even the current negotiation of a new international copyright treaty that is not being shown (even with a FOIA), it makes you wonder.
I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
Finally had enough. Come see us over at https://soylentnews.org/
and this is why we need a "mark for deletion" mod on /.
on TFA, They have their own Constitution (or whatever is their equivalent) and we have ours.
we need to stop looking at other countries with our Constitution in our minds.
GL and HF trying to get that into our constitution......
wiki-barnstar-fuck
Do what, now?
Unfortunately because of the weird political time warp that NZ seems to live in we have gained ourselves a mini-me Bush Prime Minister in the form of John Key. He is an ex-Wall Street money trader and oh so clean at the surface level. He's a banker and thus well accomplished at moral ambiguity to get what he wants for his own pocket and the other boys in suits. Sadly, we have at least another 2 1/2 years before we can vote him out.
Obviously some penalties are needed otherwise the weasels will constantly try, try, and try again until all civil liberties are gone.
Let it be resolved that: If any elected politician tries to make a law which is found to contravene the spirit of the principles embodied in a countries bill or charter of rights and freedoms, then that politician will be immediately removed from office and publicly flogged.
Let's see how many friends in office the RIAA/MPAA etc. have after reading that into law.
How about:
Politician> We need your tax money, but we will not provide any worthwhile services in return
Politician> We will not work efficiently, employ 15 people to do 5 peoples' job. And blame you for troubling us.
Politician> We will pass laws enforcing seat belts and speed limits, but our own governors will not follow them.
Politician> We are prodigious in consumption of your tax money, but we insist you be frugal
Politician> We are quite willing to sacrifice your liberty and freedom under the guise of offering security. But our policemen will shoot unarmed people, and you cannot sue them or us.
People> *explodes*
"Doing what i can, with what i have." ~ Burt Gummer
They'll just backdoor it later.
This is why people have to stay vigilant. The same people who organized these protests, etc - they shouldn't sleep on this one, because I think it's quite likely that whoever took that provision out probably made a phone call right before doing so to big content and said something like the following:
"listen mate, i'm gonna have to strike that provision of the bill - the time just isn't right, but don't worry - we'll backdoor it later after the furor dies down."
The New Zealand Prime Minister announced ...
The New Zealand Prime Minister, Brian, announced ...
fixed that for you
Simply send a notice of close of operations... If every ISP were to send such a letter to every user, and to the governement bodies responsable for trying to make them foot the bills for the *IAA tactics people would stand up and take notice It's one thing for geeks to pay attention, but I bet you even the less tech savy will stand up and take notice when they realize this will mean they lose thier internet service because the ISPs don't want to be put in this situation. But it's sad to say they will not, greed is a powerful thing... But the thought of your country suddenly being kicked off the internet superhighway because of the actions of the *iaa shills forcing the isps to pay for monitoring and filtering... as well as turn folks into criminals without a trial... Should make them say wait a minute.
Absolute crap. the only reason Blair got in at all in the first place was because we wanted to get Thatcher out.
I hope this isn't news to you, but Tony Blair replaced John Major as the UK's prime minister. Thatcher had already been out for six and a half years. Major is the one who ousted Thatcher, and he was PM from November 1990 to May 1997. Thatcher had been PM from May 1979 to November 1990.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Major
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Thatcher
Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. - Voltaire
I think he's just trying to say he doesn't like being misrepresented on wikipedia as a crazy nutcase. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zodiac_Killer
The politician who got this section slipped into the law, Judith Tizzard (Labour party MP), did so, right before an election and right before the end of her career. She retired.
Undoubtedly because it would have been the end of her political career in another way, if she was not retiring.
Scrap that, they picked someone on the way out to slip this in for them, it's an excellent way to find a fall guy, someone who won't be even be around to cop the backlash. The amendment was also made when it was clear Labour would not be getting re-elected. A party on it's way out so the new government could dodge some flak, if they had to can the legislation they can claim it's not their mess, and they get the brownie points for appearing to respond to the public backlash.
Does that sound like a shady mafRIAA backroom deal to you too?
You see, a government is expendable, if it pushes your dodgy legislation and becomes unpopular, it gets torn down at the next election, and the next batch of politicians are at your service, the one thing that remains constant is the players behind the scene you don't get to vote on.
Well back to the drawing board for the legislation. They've backed off, and will try again with something milder. Basically this kind of legislative push is intended to soften up the public and be more likely to accept whatever 'compromise' alternative law is offered.
After logging in slashdot still does not take you back to the page you were on. It's been that way for 20 years.
Three hours from Australia is better than twelve hours from California.
Makes me so glad I am leaving the mess that is Australia behind (Stephen Conroy and his blacklist and all his lies) and moving to New Zealand, a sensible country.
You can tell how powerful someone is by the magnitude of the crime they can commit and be able to get away with.
Would make sense that deletionists would bring the zodiac killer back. But as the zodiac killer said, he kills to make those whom he kills slaves in the afterlife. Who would want a fucking deletionist around them at all? Even the zodiac killer is above a rank and file deletionist (propaganda minister of minitru or expert BRAZIL desk clerk)
On a side note, New Zealand does not actually have a written constitution.
Also we have a Westminster style parliament with only one chamber, so 50%+1 vote can change ANY law.
Well there is the entrechment law saying some laws requite 75% approval of the house to change, however the entrenchment law is not entrenched....
The Governer General is like a ceremonial president, shakes a few hands and thats about it. Technically I heard the position as the representative of the Queen has the power to not approve a law, but has never happened afaik.
proles
Let me guess, you have been reading the Honor Harrington series too much? I wish there was a way to ban I.P.'s and if my name was "put to a vote" and i was kicked off, I would ask why, not go around making proxy accounts just for the fun of it.
Nice post. . . I think you just hate him because he is black.
Eeeaaaassssy big fella. Just put down the gun and we'll talk about it. Eeeaassssy.
Seriously, did you write that yourself or is there just a random nut-ball generator that you found online.