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Australian ISPs Soon To Become Copyright Cops

Posted by timothy on from the classic-multitasking dept.

srjh writes "In the Australian Federal Government's latest assault on the internet, draft legislation has been released that allows network operators to intercept communications to ensure that their networks are being 'appropriately used.' Such legislation is particularly important given the interference of Communications Minister Stephen Conroy in a recent copyright lawsuit against iiNet, one of the largest ISPs in the country. Conroy called prominent filtering opponent iiNet's inaction over copyright infringement 'stunning,' whereas iiNet claimed that it would be illegal under current Australian law to intercept its users' downloads. While this latest legislation appears to be a concession of that point, the government is said to be watching the case closely and along with attempts to introduce a three-strikes law in Australia, it appears the law will be changed if the government dislikes the outcome of the case. The internet villain of the year just continues to earn his title."

5 of 183 comments (clear)

  1. Stephen Conroy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Is an incompetent, idiotic, totalitarian, vindictive, morally bankrupt cunt.

    Same with Rudd. You can assume this assault on the internet is coming from the top.

    1. Re:Stephen Conroy by Gwala · · Score: 5, Informative

      It's pandering to the Australian Christian Lobby, who are a bunch of self-important wankers and have far too much power for a country where 28% of the population puts down 'atheist/agnostic/no-religion/blank' on the census.

      --
      #!/bin/csh cat $0
    2. Re:Stephen Conroy by dangitman · · Score: 5, Funny

      Except our chicks are hotter.

      Yes, we're well aware of your predilection for farm animals. You can keep that to yourself in future.

      --
      ... and then they built the supercollider.
  2. Re:What's stunning.. by twostix · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Whatever he is he's a goddamned hypocrite.

    His home state of Victoria of which he is an elected government representative has a law banning "altruistic surrogacy" - that is - having another woman carrying a fertilised egg to term then handing the baby over when it's born.

    Disregarding any moral argument on the matter, it's criminally illegal in Senator Conroys home state. So what do he and his wife do? "Route around" the law by skipping over the border to New South Wales to have it organised WHILE STILL REPRESENTING VICTORIA IN PARLIAMENT.

    So the Victorian minister Stephen Conroy doesn't think he should be subject to the laws of Victoria when he doesn't feel like it (notice he kept his seat in parliament and still lives in Victoria) and the hypocrite thinks he has the moral authority to make judgments to form controversial legislation affecting thousands?!

    Convenient isn't it.

    The more I learn about these Labour goons the less I like them.

    Stupid law in Victoria in my opinion but, so is every law Conroy pushes regarding the Internet I wonder if he'll be understanding to anybody who ignores the federal laws that they don't like.

  3. Australia, who are you? by grrrl · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I just don't understand where this government's sentiment comes from!! I live in a country that is full of people who are easy going, enjoy life, and who are generally quite non-idealistic - we do not tend to have the passion for politics and causes and pep-talks that seems to drive a lot of US-centric life. And yet the government takes these crazy stands that are SO against the Australian way of living!!