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Politics

by Mike Masnick

Wed, Jul 9th 2008 2:01pm




Filed Under:
europe, isps, politics, three strikes


Did The EU Accidentally Support A '3 Strikes' Policy For Internet Users?

from the not-at-all-clear dept

There was talk earlier this week that, despite an earlier rejection in the EU of a "three strikes" plan that would effectively turn ISPs into copyright cops, a new vote might backdoor in the same results. The proposal was approved, but there appears to be considerable confusion over what it actually means. The text says that European regulators should provide "cooperation" between ISPs and those who are "interested in the protection and promotion of lawful content." To many, that sounds like turning the ISPs into copyright cops. But, the politicians who approved it claim it has nothing at all to do with copyright, saying that it's all about providing easier access to services:
"It is about new provisions so that users can find out about new services. It will make price comparison sites easier to set up, it will force regulators to give equivalent access to disabled users and enhance emergency services with caller location."
If that's actually the case, then the wording should be clarified, because you can pretty much bet that the entertainment industry will jump on the wording, along with claims of "international treaties" and demand that regulators force ISPs to comply with their every demand.

3 Comments | Leave a Comment

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  1.  
    identicon
    Carl K., Jul 9th, 2008 @ 2:57pm

    *Sigh* it's now all about masking intent, and how cleverly the wording is.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  2.  
    icon
    Matt (profile), Jul 9th, 2008 @ 3:04pm

    not the intention= intentional oversight

    I don't even give it 48 hours before the entertainment industry takes advantage of this. Stating that he is shocked,appalled etc that this could be taken the wrong way (per the register). Really, "interested in the protection and promotion of lawful content". Since when is disabled or emergency services ever placed into the question of "lawful" or not? Suddenly disabled access has to be lawful? This is if the register's quote here is taken as verbatim. I wouldn't even believe that phrase relating to disabled or emergency under any circumstance. If it does, that would also mean it applies to military as military is usually deemed "lawful".

    The man referenced, Malcolm Harbour, has some semi-questionable ties to MS at least per the wikipedia and his extreme software patent support (again supposedly wikipedia). I don't know what I think of the guy who tried to call it off as trying to help disabled, but I don't see that wording at all.

    Smells like doublespeak.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  3.  
    identicon
    mike allen, Jul 11th, 2008 @ 4:05am

    this goes further

    This package of telecom laws allows governments to approve all software used even programs like Firefox or Skype could be illegal if this is passed, according to some commentators
    look here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7492907.stm

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]


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