Creative Freedom Foundation Newsletter
Hi folks, Tomorrow will mark one month since the launch of the Creative Freedom Foundation, and its been a busy one! Already, thousands of New Zealanders have signed the petition against the Guilt Upon Accusation law Section 92A, and numbers are constantly rising. Section 92A punishes internet users before a trial and any evidence of copyright infringement is held up to court scrutiny. With 42 days until S92A comes into effect, the next month is crucial. Keep spreading the word about S92A and our petition for fair copyright.
CFF in the News
During the last month, we have been talking to the media about S92 and how it means Guilt Upon Accusation. Thanks to your support One News screened a story and interviewed CFF director Bronwyn Holloway-Smith about the issue on 8 January, and the issue has received coverage by TVNZ, The Herald, The Press, TV3 and numerous blogs. The Herald has also published an interesting article that shows how innocent people could be framed for copyright infringement if S92A comes into effect. Thanks to everyone who has been talking about this and helping to make it a mainstream issue. We are getting through — keep up the good work!
APRA, RIANZ continue to push for Guilt Upon Accusation Laws
We’re sad to see that APRA, RIANZ, 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. Similar laws overseas have been used to stifle free speech and harm public rights. No one wants to deprive money from artists, but this law is an inappropriate and extreme measure for dealing with copyright infringement. You can read their press release and our analysis of it here.
Are you a member of APRA? If you disagree with their stance on this issue, let us know that you don’t want APRA to do this in your name. We advocate on behalf of artists like you: we will represent you and promise to protect your privacy. Of course if you want to contact them yourself that’s good too!
New Zealand Libraries say Section 92a Presumes Guilt Upon Accusation
The Library & Information Association New Zealand Aotearoa have written to the minister Steven Joyce saying that Section 92a has the “implication that ISPs will be required to act on accusations of illegal access of copyright materials by users (thereby reversing the legal principle that a person or organisation is deemed innocent until proved guilty)” with the recommendation that be Section 92a be repealed. This is big news. You can read more here.
New Website Features: Forums, a News Feed, MySpace and FaceBook
Incase you haven’t noticed already, the Creative Freedom website now has a forum, and an RSS news feed. You can also find us on MySpace and FaceBook.
On the horizon:
* Our Goal: No Companies Snooping on your Internet (ACTA)
* S92 Song Remix Challenge – if you’re a musician and curious to hear more about this contact us!
* NZ Copyright documentary
* Total Control vs Free Speech – an interactive questionnaire
Thanks,
from the Creative Freedom Foundation team
