Slashdot Mirror
Ofcom Unveils Anti-Piracy Policy For UK ISPs
krou writes "Under plans drawn up by Ofcom, UK ISPs are going to draw up a list of those who infringe copyright, logging names and the number of times infringement took place. Music and film companies will then be allowed access to the list, and be able to decide whether or not to take legal action. '"It is imperative that a system that accuses people of illegal online activity is fair and clear," said Anna Bradley, chair of the Communications Consumer Panel.' The Panel, in partnership with Consumer Focus, Which, Citizens Advice, and the advocacy body the Open Rights Group, has released a set of principles it believes should govern the code of practice. The principles say sound evidence is needed before any action is taken, consumers must have the right to defend themselves, and the appeals process must be free to pursue. The code shall come into practice by 2011, and initially applies only to ISPs with 400,000 customers or more." Update: 05/29 09:11 GMT by T : As an anonymous reader points out below, that's 400,000 users, rather than 40,000 as originally rendered.
Thanks for spotting; updated now.
timothy
jrnl: http://tinyurl.com/c2l8yr / foes: http://tinyurl.com/ckjno5
While I don't even know what to say about this UK law proposal, laws are generally made to protect the general goodness of society. Lets not kid ourself, warez is a problem and the creators need to be compensated for their work just like everyone else. But the thing is, technicality here isn't an issue - it's only about practicality. The old "but I'm only downloading it, I'm not giving anything to anyone" probably worked before internet age, but world develops. It's clear that the laws need to adjust, just like they need to adjust for email spammers. World changes, and has been changing rapidly in the last 20 years.
That being said, an year ago I said UK really likes to challenge US in the most draconian country in the world, and it looks like they were just foreplaying before.
I'm pretty certain when I take a photo of my girlfriend in the city there is something in the background that I dont have the copyright of. If I post that on facebook am I doing something illegal?
When you're being sued for that photo you could just use that argument that you're on /. therefore you don't have a girlfriend and you couldn't have uploaded it.
Carefully edit an article to change "action against serial infringers", "suspected infringers will be sent three warning letters before any action can be taken", "consumers must have the right to defend themselves", and "Technical measures such as these would require further legislation and Parliamentary approval"
into "ZMOG! TEHY LOGGIN JOO!".
And the slashcrowd response is to immediately condemn everything and most tellingly, incite others to theft of internet services, violence, and acts of terrorism (and killing people with steak knives). Because no one has a right to deny anyone the ability to download anything EVAH and all information should be freeeee!
God help you if you violate the sacred GPL and don't release the source code to some inane piece of shit electric dildo attachment that may use a GNU librayr, but infringing copyright of the evil studios, untalented artists, and crappy musicians? No problems with that!
Seriously, no one sees the contradictions? And terrorism is a valid response to get hollywood movies for free? Grow up.
Loserboy nerd, re-read my post: I'm talking about FIGHTING so that the Internet is not turned into a tool of oppression by Big Money and their government cronies. Imagine being afraid of speaking your mind, being afraid of buying anything online, being afraid to visit some sites or blogs labelled as "subversive" because they contain information that your govvy or some big corporation's shareholders do not like. This must be stopped at all costs, and anyone who pushes this control agenda must be severely dealt with.
The alternative is the Digital Panopticon. It's being build as we post on shitdot.
Geeks are so full of shit that "beating the crap out of them" takes a whole new meaning.