Newsletter inside…
Author Archives: matthew
Media Release: New Copyright Bill A Return To Guilt Upon Accusation
The Creative Freedom congratulate the Commerce Select Committee on releasing their report on the draft Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Bill earlier today
CFF Director Bronwyn Holloway-Smith says “It’s great to see further progress on this Bill, however, we’re disappointed to see that Internet Termination is still making an appearance, and there is an alarming return to the Guilt Upon Accusation.”
Prime Minister John Key described the former Guilt Upon Accusation law as “draconian”.
Select Committee Report on Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Bill Just Released…
After the earlier hearings the Commerce Select Committee have now reported back on the draft Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Bill [PDF]. We’ll be analyzing this report throughout the day but from an initial reading they have recommended that Internet Termination be temporarily disabled until it’s deemed necessary. This isn’t a solution, and infact it’s a massive problem because there are no government statistics about infringing internet downloading in New Zealand so it would have to be based on lobbying, and Internet Termination could be enabled in cabinet, without a vote in parliament.
TechLiberty aptly say that “Account suspension is still included but suspended until rightsholders complain that notices/fines haven’t eliminated all sharing”
Youth Parliament Release Report On File Sharing
In late June the Creative Freedom Foundation spoke at Youth Parliament on the topic of “Inquiry into whether copyright infringement is hurting New Zealand music; how can artists use new media to get their music sold rather than stolen”. Two government spokespeople from the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Culture and Heritage as well as CFF’s Bronwyn Holloway-Smith were questioned in person on the topic.
CFF Speech to Commerce Select Committee on Copyright Infringing File Sharing Bill
Last Thursday CFF Director Bronwyn Holloway-Smith spoke with the Commerce Select Committee about their s92A submission and gave the following speech. After the talk she spoke with bFM about the process.
TechLiberty explains the new Copyright Bill works (flowcharts)
TechLiberty have posted Flowcharts for the new Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Bill: “Chris Esther has created some useful flowcharts that help explain some of the processes included in the new Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Bill. He has very kindly allowed us to repost them here.”
Film Industry Fails To Meet Demand Again
Colin Jackson writes on his blog that “There’s a great New Zealand film called “Boy” – it’s a coming of age tale with a uniquely New Zealand flavour to it. It’s been in the cinemas here for three months, and it’s gone down very well. I’m probably not telling you anything you didn’t know, because the film has been well-promoted. I think I saw that it was now the highest-grossing New Zealand movie ever. Well done to Taika Waititi and every one else involved.
Poll Shows 87% Of Kiwis Want Parody Protection In Copyright Law
Stuff.co.nz has a story about the popular YouTube parodies involving Hitler: “One of YouTube’s most beloved parodies is facing extinction, with countless Adolf Hitler Downfall clips vanishing from the popular video site in recent days. Constantin Film, which has judged many of the comic clips an infringement of its copyright. Online rights advocates say that fair use provisions in many countries such as the US were created to allow some copyrighted material to be used for purposes such as satire or parody.” Among copyright experts there’s little doubt that if this went to court the Fair Use defense would win but the United State’s DMCA allows preemptive removal of content regardless of whether it’s considered free speech.
ACTA Negotiating Text Released
New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) have released the negotiating text of ACTA [PDF]. While MED were previously more involved MFAT are now leading the NZ negotiations.
Analysis of the text to follow later today.
s92A Replacement To Be Debated In Parliament Tomorrow
According to the provisional order paper the new s92A formally titled the Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendent Bill is being debated tomorrow (Tuesday) and you can watch it live online at Parliament TV or on TV at Freeview 22, Sky 94, or TelstraClear 94.
