Jason Stokes wrote:
>
> Danny Yee wrote:
> >
> > I believe some of these copyright proposals pose a serious threat to
> > free software. It would be good to see SLUG write to the committee
> > involved, putting the views of a Linux users group (to help oppose the
> > BSAA-funded lobbyists pushing the case for Microsoft and their ilk).
>
> I don't see it doing much good. Western governments are gearing up for
> a "war on copyright violation" as extreme as the "war on drugs" --
> except worse, because while the community thinks of illegal drugs as a
> serious taboo, few consider copyright violation a serious crime.
No a few political parties, like both majors in Oz, are trying to make
"copyright violation" an issue to justify past donations and obtain
further donations from MS, etc. Similar situations operatre overseas in
western style governments.
Apart from "copyright" considerations, this proposal should be oppossed
because it could allow a private company to declare you guilty of a
crime and require that you prove yourself not-guilty. There are some
very serious issues of personal liberty here and this proposal attempts
to take some of those away from you.
Unfortunately this and similar proposals from all spheres are something
you are going to have to watch all your life. The MIA proposal that
allowed foreign companies to come here and do what they want was soundly
defeated because a lot of people blitzed their pollies, etc to make
their objections known. Like the MIA, most go "what's copyright
violation"? It is worth objecting.
The economic lifeblood of this country is small business, not big
business.
--
Terry Collins {:-)}}} Ph(02) 4627 2186 Fax(02) 4628 7861
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] www: http://www.woa.com.au
WOA Computer Services <lan/wan, linux/unix, novell>
"People without trees are like fish without clean water"
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