Colin Jackson has a good read on his blog on APRA's assertion that the internet would be empty without the content industries

Let’s just pause for a moment and celebrate a few of the things that people get over the Internet. Wikipedia. Twitter. Email. Hubble Space Pictures. Skype. Travel Bookings. Banking. News. Maps. I could go on, and I’m sure you could too.

By saying something as stupid as this APRA is showing that it really doesn’t live on the same planet as the rest of us.

Things i did tonight on the internet
# wrote 2 blog posts
# Reviewed a Drupal patch
# accepted a calendar invitation from a friend
# topped up my prepay cellphone
# paid my rent and credit card bill on internet banking
# checked http://identi.ca
# sent a merge request for unicode tags on laconca
# chatting about git stash with a friend
# read emails
# reviewed miniconf proposal for #lca2010
# read about the locomotive act on wikipedia
# approved a friend request on last.fm
# synchronised my digital pen with the cloud
# searched for creative commons photos on http://flickr.com
# commented on a Labour party blog post

APRA and RIANZ Seek Power To Judge Copyright InfringementSource: holloway.co.nzTypically a wrongly accused person would respond with what’s called a Counter Notice saying that they reject the accusation and an ISP would judge that, but with the RSCN Procedure the accuser is empowered to decide whether the accused’s Counter Notice is valid, not the ISP.     Instead of your ISP judging your guilt, how about the person who accussed you gets to judge it?

The TCF invite your feedback. http://tinyurl.com/tcf-draft-homepage    

Media7 | MEDIA 7Source: tvnz.co.nzBronwyn Holloway-Smith (Creative Freedom Foundation), Ant Healey (APRA) and Technology Journalist, Pat Pilcher will discuss the implications of Section 92a of the Copyright Act which could force ISPs to become policemen and to disconnect paying customers deemed to have breached the Act.    Thursdays at 9.10pm, with encore screenings on Friday at 12.10pm, Saturdays at 9.10pm & Tuesdays at 12.10pm.    

i don't think APRA actually realise they're shitting all over the NZ internet industry and users rights to preserve their traditional revenue.

Spending a moment trying on their shoes - it would look initially like a glorious new world under new legislation. Wearing their shoes, i can see how *angry* the "theft" of their member's work via blatant sharing without permission feels.

They can take down these "thieves" using this law. But are they really so selfish they can't see all the casualties caught in the cross fire?

How can we explain it to them?

This new copyright law threatens the livelihood of those that work on the internet.

This law tramples on New Zealander's rights (artists included).

This law discriminates against those doing business on the interent - if you're accused of copyright in print or broadcast then you need proof, right to a trial, and you don't get summarily punished immediately. They don't remove a TV stations ability to broadcast, or a Magazine's right to publish immediately apon infringment accusation. The new copyright law will remove an internet business abiltiy to do any business immediately apon accusation.

This law discriminates against New Zealanders - we're left with the extra costs passed on by ISPs who become an unpaid copyright police force - we're also left with the threat of summary disconnection, website takedowns, and for some businesses the expense of a secondary connection just in case someone makes an accusation.

— Creative Freedom Foundation (creativefreedom.org.nz)Source: creativefreedom.org.nzRIANZ, APRA, and NZFACT are continuing to push for Section 92a: a flawed law that presumes guilt upon accusation, punishing internet users with disconnection without a trial or evidence held up to court scrutiny.