Sign up for a new account or log in here:
also @ TechSpot: Weekend Open Forum: Imagining Google's own country
The UN believes anti-filesharing provisions such as those outlined in France and the UK are disproportionate and should be repealed. In fact, disconnecting Internet users for sharing content from the music and movie industries is a violation of human rights, according to a report published in May 2011 and to be adopted this month by the UN's Human Rights Council.
The Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression is concerned about measures being put in place by various governments to punish online copyright infringement, such as denying citizens' Internet access. The author of the report, Frank La Rue, is "alarmed" by proposals to severely punish Internet users if they violate intellectual property rights, according to TorrentFreak.
"While blocking and filtering measures deny users access to specific content on the Internet, States have also taken measures to cut off access to the Internet entirely," the reports says. "The Special Rapporteur considers cutting off users from Internet access, regardless of the justification provided, including on the grounds of violating intellectual property rights law, to be disproportionate and thus a violation of article 19, paragraph 3, of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This also includes legislation based on the concept of 'graduated response', which imposes a series of penalties on copyright infringers that could lead to suspension of Internet service, such as the so-called 'three-strikes-law' in France and the Digital Economy Act 2010 of the United Kingdom"
It's not clear whether this report will be able to influence governments to change their practices, but it's certainly a start. I doubt the French or British governments will decide to completely change their laws in response to this report, but at least the UN is trying to bring attention the issue. I would love to hear their official responses to the 22-page report, which by the way you can read in full below:
This is not the first time we've heard that Internet access should be considered a human right. In fact, just two months ago, we heard it from someone who really does matter. Sir Timothy John Berners-Lee, the man credited with inventing the World Wide Web, declared that humans have become so reliant on the Internet, that access to it should now be considered a basic right.
User Comments: 38
Got something to say? Post a comment-
::facepalm::Now there's a "dignitary" that truly enjoys the sound of his own voice.
From the article:
“The Special Rapporteur considers cutting off users from Internet access, regardless of the justification provided, including on the grounds of violating intellectual property rights law, to be disproportionate and thus a violation of article 19, paragraph 3, of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”
"In addition to calling on governments to maintain Internet access “during times of political unrest,”At least that makes a bit of sense. However, why would you expect any oppressive regime to give a rat's a** what this guy thinks? I mean really, I more envision them sending him an invitation to come join one of their civil liberties demonstrations. Don't you?the report goes on to urge States to change copyright laws, not in favor of the music and movie industries as has been the recent trend, but in keeping with citizens' rights."Think about this for as moment. Without any controls in place to foster intellectual property rights, then all that remains is to designate a sucker to buy the first copy of anything, and let the internet take over from there.And about the usual file sharing explanation, "I just downloaded it to see if I liked, it so I could buy a copy", doggerel; I think whomever spouts that, is full of s***.
-
Think about this for as moment. Without any controls in place to foster intellectual property rights, then all that remains is to designate a sucker to buy the first copy of anything, and let the internet take over from there.
There's no mention of the UN requesting full exoneration of all copyright violators. I think they're doing the smart thing and looking forward. As technology progresses and we become even more dependent on the internet, it makes sense to stipulate now that full disconnection is not a proper punishment for copyright violation. Particularly as it's a reasonable knee jerk reaction for copyright holders to request. Without criminal proceedings, its like losing your right to vote because you didn't pay your cable bill.
-
Hmmm my rights got denied last week from my isp. They turned off my net for using bittorrent. They said it takes up to much bandwidth and if I use it again they will drop me. If I wasn't getting internet for free from a relatives work then I would switch isp's.
Really???
My ISP know how much I download, and what I'm doing and don't even batter an eyelid at what I'm doing. I was quite shocked recently when the operator on the phone was able to tell me so much information about my activities in regards to downloads, and how much data had been downloaded on my IPs.
According to my last discussion a few days ago with my ISP, they said I was averaging over 250GB (In May I downloaded over 300GB!) a month.... Maybe its a UK thing, but mine just don't seem even remotely bothered, and I sure do abuse it!
-
Really???Somehow, I believe you've missed the point completely.
My ISP know how much I download, and what I'm doing and don't even batter an eyelid at what I'm doing. I was quite shocked recently when the operator on the phone was able to tell me so much information about my activities in regards to downloads, and how much data had been downloaded on my IPs.
According to my last discussion a few days ago with my ISP, they said I was averaging over 250GB (In May I downloaded over 300GB!) a month.... Maybe its a UK thing, but mine just don't seem even remotely bothered, and I sure do abuse it!
Not having a data cap, is a far different issue from a third party asking to have you cut off from the WWW. The issue at hand is how much information an ISP is willing to fork over to 3rd parties, such as the RIAA, and how much, if push came to shove they'd defend youu.
Perhaps the reason you haven't been, is because nobody has approached your ISP with a valid complaint.
The DMCA certainly is legislation recognized by the UK, and just ask, "LightningUK" how he was dealt with regarding "DVD Decryptor".
-
Maybe...
My point was more that I found it shocking that someone would be cut off, especially given a persons ISP knowing exactly what your up to most of the time anyway. Its not like my ISP know less than the OP's for example.
Maybe that is the reason, but I'm not shy with downloading, so I fail to see thats the issue when so many others have been caught.
Maybe my ISP aren't bothered.
-
Well, a line from the old Eagles song, "Desperado", may shed light on a situation such as this. "If you're fast, and if you're lucky, you may never see that hanging tree". Good stuff, early Eagles.
-
Luck is not something I would associate with my current situation (personally). So I doubt its much to do with that, but thanks for going easy on me today!
I'm very delicate these days Sir!
-
Its not like my ISP know less than the OP's for example.Singular subject, needs, needs singular verb; "my ISP know(s) less than the OP's".Maybe my ISP aren't bothered.Unless you have multiple ISPs, I'd want to go with "isn't" as the verb.
For God's sake man, show us uppity colonists how it's done!
(Sorry, I know I can be such a **** Chaney in these matters).
On the other hand, you were right about the Intel "K" CPU issues. The unlocked multiplier models do carry a different VGA designation. (3000 as opposed to 2000).
-
On the other hand, you were right about the Intel "K" CPU issues. The unlocked multiplier models do carry a different VGA designation. (3000 as opposed to 2000).
I got something right then?
P.S. I find it easier to make mistakes and therefore blend in, than correct one's English.
-
Unfortunately, (as I'm sure you're aware), blending has never been my strongest suit, or a motivating desire...
P.S. I find it easier to make mistakes and therefore blend in, than correct one's English.
-
Unfortunately, (as I'm sure you're aware), blending has never been my strongest suit, or a motivating desire...
Nope, your about as subtle as a howitzer at an anti-firearm's convention.....
-
wow
the signal-to-noise ratio on this topic is just amazing - - like 1/100 imo.
it would appear that the constitution's bill of rights were at stake.
Looks like the right bait was thrown into the water - - just look what it caught :grin:
-
the signal-to-noise ratio on this topic is just amazing - - like 1/100 imo.You mean "bait", as in "b-a-i-t"? Yep, I just heard the splash, at about post # 38... Or did you mean that, the constitution's bill of rights were."at steak"...?
it would appear that the constitution's bill of rights were at stake.
Looks like the right bate was thrown into the water - - just look what it caught :grin:
For a more familiar look to the S/N ratio, I'd suggest stating is as "noise to signal" ratio.
Most Popular
| Trending | Featured |
-
Microsoft launches YouTube app, Google demands it taken down
-
Nvidia Shield arrives in June for $349, pre-orders open now (update)
-
Bill Gates is once again the richest person in the world
-
Asus' new lineup of Z87 Haswell motherboards revealed
-
Google, NASA join forces to build quantum computing laboratory
Featured on Keyboards
Subscribe to TechSpot
Get free exclusive content, learn about new features and breaking tech news.