InternetNZ supports ISOC France in fighting termination

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Media Release - 4 March 2009 - InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand Inc)expresses its support for ISOC France against the introduction ofdraconian laws intended to cut people off the Internet based on mereallegations of copyright infringement.

Executive DirectorKeith Davidson says a previous New Zealand Government tried to impose a similarregime to that being proposed for France.

New Zealand’s Section 92A legislation was delayedfollowing resistance from a number of parties including InternetNZ and a new groupcalled the Creative Freedom Foundation (CFF), which represents artists.

CFF’s motto is “notin our name” and refers to the artists’ position in respect of assumption of“guilt upon accusation” that the legislation sought to impose. Their “blackout”campaign took off last week across social networking websites such as Facebook,MySpace and Twitter.

In New Zealandmajor copyright holders and Internet Service Providers continue to discuss apossible Code of Practice that might address both parties’ concerns.

InternetNZcontinues to expose the inappropriateness of ISPs terminating Internet accountsas a response to unrelated copyright issues, and highlights the high level ofpunishment it represents as well as the potential for abuse and maliciouscomplaints.

Davidson says“provisions that allow the cutting off the Internet access of users due tounproven allegations of copyright infringement are disproportionate and unfitfor purpose.

This would appearto be an attempt to prop up a business model that has not been able to adapt tothe Internet and where they are seeking legislative solution to aid theirfailing business model.”

Davidson notesthere are substantial technical issues with such laws: identifying infringerscan be problematic; it is easy to reconnect elsewhere; and determinedinfringers will simply use encryption, anonymous identities, pirated wirelesslinks, and other technical methods to escape detection.

“This will simplybecome a technological arms race with the bad guys, while leaving Internet andInternet-based voice service users, both home and business, to be cut off fromtheir families, friends and business acquaintances based on mere allegations.”

Odile Ambry,President of ISOC France, thanks InternetNZ for its actions and its support andsays: “Last September, 14 European Chapters of ISOC opposed the internetcut-off scheme that the proposed French draft law intends to introduce. New Zealanddelayed a similar provision only a few days before it was due to come intoforce and time was given for broader consultation. We call for the Frenchgovernment to follow suit in order to find solutions fitting the new digitalworld.”

About:

InternetNZ is anon-profit organisation dedicated to protecting and promoting the Internet in New Zealand.InternetNZ is an organisational member of ISOC.

ISOC France is theFrench Chapter of the Internet Society (ISOC). ISOC World is an internationalorganisation with 85 national Chapters and 24,000 members across 180 countries.

For moreinformation contact:

Keith Davidson

InternetNZ ExecutiveDirector

exe.dir@internetnz.net.nz

+64 21 377 587

Charles Simon

ISOC France Vice-President

charles.simon(at)isoc.fr

+33 6 20 23 49 41

News Source : InternetNZ supports ISOC France in fighting termination