New Zealand P2P disconnection plan delayed after outcry

[vernarial]

New Zealand's controversial plan to boot repeat copyright infringers off the Internet has been delayed by the prime minister five days before it was to take effect. ISPs and rightsholders also announced a plan to make the scheme more fair by using an independent third party to judge disputes.

Source: ARS Technica

By Nate Anderson

As an Internet blackout hit blogs across New Zealand today, the government announced that it would postpone the implementation of its hugely controversial "graduated response" law for dealing with (and eventually disconnecting) repeat P2P copyright infringers.

New Zealand's 1984 Copyright Act was last year amended in numerous ways, but the most controversial has certainly been new section 92A. "An Internet service provider must adopt and reasonably implement a policy that provides for termination, in appropriate circumstances, of the account with that Internet service provider of a repeat infringer," it says.

The change was to go into effect on February 28, but Prime Minister John Key has bowed to public pressure and delayed the measure. It is now scheduled for March 27, but only if an implementation deal can be worked out between ISPs and copyright holders before then; if not, the provision will be binned.

The Telecommunications Carriers' Forum (TCF) has represented ISPs in these negotiations and today praised the delay, even as it indicated that a deal would be reached. "Given that s92A has caused considerable public concern, it is important to have complete clarity on how this section of the Act is likely to be implemented," said CEO Ralph Chivers. "The additional time provides the opportunity to seek that clarity, and ensure that affected parties are fully prepared. Recent discussions between the TCF and copyright holders about the content and operation of the Code have been constructive, and it seems likely that we will be able to reach an agreement on all outstanding matters in the near future."

Full Article

Edited February 25, 2009 by vernarial

[DudeAsInCool]

Just because you are using P2P does not mean you are infringing on copyright. What planet are these people on?

[Redneck4sure]

Just because you are using P2P does not mean you are infringing on copyright.

It did when I used it.

[DudeAsInCool]

It did when I used it.

[rainbowdemon]

It did when I used it.

Yup!! Me too!!

[KiwiCoromandel]

guilty as charged your honor....

that particular piece of legislation is doomed thank goodness...the excuse given for wanting to implement this draconian copyright legislation, (according to our prime minister)..was that the USA demands such copyright laws be written into any free trade agreements that Uncle Sam signs with other countries...that`s what planet we`re all on mate...

[KiwiCoromandel]

Editorial: Wise move to rethink internet law....

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/art...jectid=10559187

source:NZHerald/Opinion

image: www.geekzone.co.nz: Section 92A of the Copyright Amendment (New Technologies) Act...Section 92A was originally removed from the legislation by a parliamentary select committee after opponents argued that other parts of the law covered the termination of user accounts.

"Belatedly, however, it was reinserted in response to copyright holders' demand that the act spelled out utterly specific terms. That, in turn, reflects the tough line being taken on this issue by Hollywood's movie, TV and record industry. It would also recognise the sort of intellectual property protection that the United States would expect in any trade pact."

[KiwiCoromandel]

Kiwis get reprieve from new anti-piracy laws....

New Zealand has withdrawn a controversial law which could have forced firms to disconnect internet users accused of illegal use of material such as music or films.

The Copyright Amendment Act would have put the onus on internet service providers (ISPs) to ban users accused of copyright breaches, even if allegations were unproven.

read more: http://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/bizt...7656900284.html

source: AFP

image: static.stuff.co.nz: FAIR USE in NZ...Draconian Internet Anti-Piracy Law Dumped...