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lewisbostock:

I jokingly call Hugh Lilly, Hugh Linky, because of his obsessive fascination with and curation of the web. He tirelessly posts links to required reading.

Every now and then, he finds something truly awesome, like this column by Peter Griffin, in The Listener, where he criticizes New Zealand’s ridiculous copyright law.

It is not only accurate in its criticism, but perfectly articulates the frustration in this country, and why kiwis illegally download in the first place.

How very true. And this year, there have been two times where I have had to Torrent something legally. Well, it’s looking likely that we will set up VPN and Torrenting on our box in the US for the rare occasions when I need this material.

miscmisha:

If any of you had the extreme misfortune to watch the live parliamentary session reading/ringing in the “3 strikes” copyright infringement/guilt upon accusation law change, then (like me) you were probably vacillating between incredulity at our elected official’s lack of clue about the internet…

Every internet user needs to read this post in full to understand their rights. New Zealand has entered a dark age for civil liberties.

This young chap, Richard O’Dwyer, has broken no laws in the UK. But it appears that the US isn’t respectful of other people’s sovereignty, even its allies. So it’s trying to extradite him for allegedly breaking US law even though he’s a Brit and the alleged offence occurred on UK soil on UK web servers.

If Americans wonder why they get a hard time overseas, this is a prime example: the disdain their government gives to other nation’s rights and legal systems. It’s one of many examples, sadly, and treaties are often signed giving the US disproportionate power over the other nation. However, I know most everyday Americans would be appalled at this news, too—this news actually was published on a US site, and I’m sure they would not want their tax dollars going down the hole to prosecute a 23-year-old in what can best be described as an uncertain case. In fact, I’m not even sure he’s broken US law.

I agree with the overall tone of the article and its conclusion. There are far better cases for US prosecutors to pursue in its own territory, for starters.

Here’s a petition to support Richard.

Janine Gordon: you sound like a whiny little git. This case has no merit. What a waste of time.

Oh, the defendant is supposedly guilty because he avoided you at a party. Yeah, the judge is going to buy that one.

If this is any sign of the sort of person you are, I’d avoid you at a party, too.

I’d normally spend more time covering lawsuits, but not at this basic level. This is only worth sarky comments.

chelfyn:

You should read this closely. New Zealand endorsed this document, critical of “3 strike” implementation, whilst simultaneously enacting a vastly unpopular 3 strikes law. This is more than a tad inconsistent. One might even go as far as to call it hypocritical and start asking for the resignation of Simon Power. That would be nice.

This is useful. This means the intention of Parliament in passing the Copyright Act amendments earlier this year is unclear. It weakens the overall legislation. Not to mention that the legislation itself is inconsistent with the Bill of Rights Act and, I reckon, an argument could even be made for it being against the Treaty. It again highlights that in the 21st-century world, most politicians are totally lost, and do not know what they are talking about.

More problems with the copyright amendments. Bottom line: if you give access to the internet, you’re liable for everything done under your IP. As I said, these laws will cripple business in this nation—so it amazes me that John Key is anti-business.

(Source: chelfyn)

chelfyn:

Just to remind everyone who is driving these law changes worldwide, while our IP laws are being screwed here in NZ.

US entertainment lobby 1, New Zealand democracy 0. Unless both major parties become minor ones in the next election and the Greens dominate for being the only party with enough sense to oppose the copyright amendment bill.

You can hear the sound of John Key and Peter Dunne’s flip-flopping out here in Rongotai.

The Judgment Day as shown in “What He Beheld”. Cameron tells Sarah that Judgment Day is now set to occur on April 21, 2011. Skynet is destined to go online a few days earlier, 20:11 on April 19, 2011

This is what the National Party was going on about and its reasoning for rushing the copyright amendments through under urgency. Skynet! Skynet! Aaarggggh!

Methinks Jonathan Young has some difficulty with the whole real–unreal concept.

(Source: chelfyn)