NZ copyright bill reborn?

[p2p rules]

InternetNZ has slammed moves to redraft a controversial section of copyright law, saying the Government is cutting corners and trying to impose a "broken remedy".

Section 92a would have obliged internet service providers (ISPs) to terminate the accounts of repeat copyright infringers "in reasonable circumstances", but was canned in March after opposition from critics who were concerned people could be cut off without proof of their guilt.

The Economic Development Ministry has set up a working group of intellectual property and internet law experts to develop policy proposals and questions for consultation with stakeholders over a three-week period from July.

The ministry will seek Cabinet approval for its policy for dealing with online copyright infringement in August, and anticipates a bill will be drafted in September or October.

InternetNZ deputy executive director Jordan Carter says the process is unlikely to deliver an acceptable policy. "The concerns we have are that it looks like it's a pretty quick process and it looks like they are trying to find a better way to do the termination remedy when feedback from the public and the majority of submissions indicated that it's termination that's the problem."

Terminating internet accounts is a disproportionate punishment for online copyright infringement, and a "notice regime" aimed at educating people about copyright and why it's important would be far more appropriate, he says.

stuff.co.nz