EU Commissioner Asks Big Copyright To Increase Their Lobbying Efforts For More Draconian Copyright Law
from the of-course-he-does dept
EU Commissioner Karel de Gucht has been the EU’s main supporter behind ACTA. de Gucht was caught lying about ACTA last year to get it approved (telling EU members that ACTA fit under existing laws, and only later admitting some members might have to change their laws). He also refused to turn over some important documents requested by an EU Parliament member concerning ACTA, claiming that (contrary to what the law says) as long as he answered questions, he didn’t have to turn over the documents.
So it probably comes as little surprise that, in a recent speech about intellectual property issues in Europe, he directly appealed to copyright holders to increase their lobbying, because those darn critics of stronger copyright apparently are speaking up too much:
I would like to call upon you to support our efforts to improve and implement IPR regimes in a more active manner. The European Commission defends your interests by promoting the development of effective IP systems, within the EU and also in third countries. However, we are increasingly faced with loud voices that come out against IP for many different reasons, often unfounded. We need you to help us to help you by enlarging the debate.
This is pretty funny. The debate has been totally and completely owned by those in favor of stricter, more draconian copyright law — contrary to almost all evidence on the best levels of intellectual property rules and enforcement. The critics simply don’t get heard at all.
Filed Under: copyright, eu, karel de gucht, lobbying
Comments on “EU Commissioner Asks Big Copyright To Increase Their Lobbying Efforts For More Draconian Copyright Law”
he is not in the position he holds to simply do whatever he can to encourage or get implemented laws that favour any individual industry. he is there to do what is best for all. being so openly ‘entertainment industry’ oriented, he should be forced to face some sort of disciplinary committee or actually lose his job! especially after lying to the commission previously over ACTA and refusing to ‘turn over requested documents’. his affairs need checking too, because he surely can’t be going down this road without receiving some sort of ‘incentive’ from ‘concerned parties’ to do so!
Re: Re:
I would argue that he should never have got the position in the first place. People like de Gucht are the reason why the EU Commission is so reviled amongst all member states.
Scared
We may not theink we are having much impact – but this shows that they are actually scared.
http://www.talklikeapirate.com/
http://opensource.com/life/11/9/talk-digital-pirate-or-fight-against-them-talk-pirate-day
They should be scared very scared, since I have to see any pirate giving up his/hers wicked ways.
Now I need to go rip some more 🙂
I may be a tad insane, but why everytime i see that kind of people i just want to put a bullet through their heads…?
Guess i played too many zombie shooter lately, but wow those guys sure look the part !
I mean the rotting brain part… oh and the smell too !
I don’t get that part, how is that something that is free for everyone to use it to prosper be better served by locking it away in the hands of a few?
How can one big business move more money than hundreds of thousands of business?
What happens in every single monopoly ever granted?
Not talking about the natural monopolies here, that would survive even if there were no protections because they don’t depend on legal crutches but natural barriers, but about granted monopolies that strain society economically while robbing its constituents of civil rights paid for in blood.
Interesting to see..
that it’s not only politicians in the U.S. who get “gifts” from the entertainment industry. It’s a shame the industry can’t spend some money making their product easier to obtain legally instead of bribing politicians to block content.
Hmm....
Did you ever get the feeling someone who shouldn’t be is just a “mouthpiece” for some group with an agenda?
Re: Hmm....
You mean like ICE?
Constituents
Representing your constituents is so 20th century.
“Often unfounded”? Is that an admission that many of their reasons for opposing it have merit?
Enemies?
“The debate has been totally and completely owned by those in favor of stricter, more draconian copyright law[…]”
No enemy is as powerful and as horryfying as the imaginary one.
And by increase their lobbying efforts, he means write me a bigger check?