It's a good thing New Zealand doesn't have much impact on the internet for issues like this. A law was passed last year here that meant ISPs had to monitor users' downloads and send warnings out to anyone who downloaded copyright material. After three warnings, you get fined and/or jail time or you can have your internet connection cut off.
The worst part is that by default you are guilty until proven innocent, a complete contradiction of the Bill of Rights, except that the Bill of Rights says other legislation can override it. The law was also passed under "urgency" which meant the public had absolutely no say (very democratic). Weirdly though, the law only covers torrent downloads and other P2P methods so it's a law full of holes that won't punish the real offenders, only the regular casual downloaders who maybe download one or two things a month.
Anywho, the point is everyone should be against these proposed laws. Yes, downloading copyright material is, and always has been illegal, but these aren't the ways to go about stopping it. |
Wikimedia Foundation
January 1st
Countries by 2000 Leaders
