Stop the ACTA

[Crusade]

To whom it may concern.

As a user of the Internet, I am very concerned about the very secretive proposed trade agreement, ACTA (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement). This is an international treaty, the draft of which has been recently leaked, that proposes some radical and potentially disastrous changes to international copyright law, and the way Internet service providers do business.

* Currently, Internet service providers are not held liable for the actions of their customers. ACTA will make ISPs responsible for enforcement of the new legal framework put forth. They will have to police copyright on user-contributed material. This could potentially put an end to sites that depend on such content (Youtube, Flickr, Blogger) due to the impossibility of monitoring the amount of data involved for infringing materials. The only practical option for the ISP would be to block access entirely.
* ISPs will be asked to take a ‘three strikes’ approach, and will have to disconnect users that have been accused of copyright infringements three times, as will be required by law. The user will be disconnected without trial, an opportunity to defend themselves, or even any hard evidence.
* The whole world must adopt US-style "notice-and-takedown" rules that require ISPs to remove any material that is claimed to be infringing, without evidence or trial. This has proved a disaster in the US and other countries, where it provides an easy method of censoring certain people and their websites – just by claiming a copyright violation.
* Stronger laws about breaking DRM measures will be brought into effect, even if you have a legitimate reason to be doing so.

This treaty isn’t just about ‘preventing piracy and stopping hackers’. The large content distributors have become greedy, and wish to nullify the prominent role the Internet has on entertainment as a whole in the modern world. They can smell their precious money slipping through of their fingers and aren’t afraid to manipulate the democratic process to avoid that. Hopefully you can see how their greed will affect you, me, and anyone else that uses the internet. They know that if this treaty becomes common knowledge before being passed, there will be an outcry – that’s why it has been kept secret so long. The passing of this treaty will be disastrous to the Internet as it exists today. It would end the free reign we have had to speak our minds without fear of censorship. Do we really want to follow China’s example with Internet policies?

This entire debacle is just another demonstration of how little democracy exists in today’s corporate controlled world, so let’s try take a little bit of it back. Fight ACTA.

-A concerned citizen of the Internet.

https://www.boingboing.net/2009/11/03/secret-copyright-tre.html

https://www.petitiononline.com/stopatca/

[SoND]

^^

That's not commercial.
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Go back to bed - You have no rights - "Streetfighters ~ Mainstream motorcycling's crackwhore sister."

[Ste]

Something important is happening? Quick, make an online petition, everyone pays attention to them!!!

[5v3d3b0]

Yeah those greedy motherfuckers why don't they wanna give us movies music and porn for free!!??
What the fuck is wrong with people? How do you think the world works? If people don't make money from what they do, they stop doing it. This act might ruin the internet but it might save the entertainment industry.. The downfall of the internet might be a good thing too; we all spend way to much time on it

[wizzzard]

[5v3d3b0]

I agree completely with you wizzard, but in some cases such as porn, the stars aren't getting paid much, and the companies have a VERY hard time getting by now.
I don't even know anyone who ever buys porn... Not even me to be honest, even though I would if it wasn't available for free.

[Ste]

[5v3d3b0]

Of course I do. I can't afford to buy cds mp3s and movies. If I was filthy rich I wouldn't bother downloading stuff, but I'm a 20 year old student. Quite different.
I do buy stuff sometimes to try and contribute. A few DVDs here and there, a few vinyls etc.. I'm not saying I'm perfect, I'm just saying if it wasn't available I would have no choice but to save up for that special CD like I used to as a kid.

[Ste]

[lostboy]

teh t'internet was originally based on the idea of an information sharing device and some of the porn on teh 'net is rather informative, I mean who knew there was a woman who could do 2 horses at once, therefore why should people be charged for said information. plus there are plenty of people willing to show there missus on teh 'net without charging.
It has been suggested that an extra monthly charge be placed on t'internets users that would be split amongst film and music companies to let them provide a legal downloadable version of their product, but even here some companies couldn't agree on what the charge should be and and some of the bigger movie studios wanted upto £10 per movie downloaded.
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Never invite a vampire into your house you silly boy!

[Inkognito]

Funny thing about that is that it's just been proposed to EU that ISP's cannot turn off peoples internet as they are then denying us the right to information etc etc.

If that law gets in then we have nothing to fear. They can fine us but they cannot by law disconnect our internet

I can't remember all the details. I'm sure some of you smart people can find the links for it if you wish.

*crosses fingers*

[SoND]