Re: [Sheflug] Panorama - Are the Net Police Coming for You ?

[Richard Ibbotson <richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> > http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00rl4dl/Panorama_Are_the_Ne
> > t_Police_Coming_for_You/
> 
> This is a pretty low quality report which doesn't make any sensible
> attempt to discuss the issues surrounding copyright in the 21st
> century.  Instead what we see is mostly just scaremongering. 

Yes.

> There is some attempt at balance, with quotes from Billy Bragg and
> a few others, but mostly it's a very one sided tirade against
> "downloaders".  There's no mention of creative commons or sites
> like Magnatune or Jamendo as a possible alternative route which
> artists could take.  Instead we're just told that "artists need
> the big [music industry] machine", by folks who are an integral
> part of the old guard.

Yes
 
> The trouble with all of this is that I fear that if the legislation
> becomes more and more heavyweight and indiscriminate then it would
> be very easy for forms of downloading other than the illegal
> variety to get lumped in with the rest - such as downloading linux
> distros, FOSS or creative commons music.  If the politicians whip
> up fear and hatred of "file sharers" then a lot of legitimate
> activities might also end up being tainted by association.

That's right.  The internet will just find a way around the 
legislation.  I think most of us are aware of that ?  There are times 
when I think that legislation just does not work.  For instance, have 
a look at this...

http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~rnc1/talks/
http://video.fosdem.org/2010/maintracks/eviloninternet.xvid.avi
  
Should give people a few clues about what happens after the proposals 
become law.


Richard

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