New Zealand and the Three Strikes Law

[DaBees-Knees]

http://www.p2pon.com/

We’ve recently reported how the Three Strikes law was implemented in New Zealand and the implications that come with it. So, since the law kicked in everyone patiently waited to see who may be the first victim. Unfortunately for the New Zealand government, it seems that they might be liable for copyright infringement, as the Green Party reports.

The report reads that NZ’s government could face fines for copyright infringement if they don’t cut the cord to their internet connection.

“There doesn’t seem to be a plan for Parliament to deal with the new copyright law,” Green Party ICT spokesperson Gareth Hughes said.

“This law could bring the gears of government to a grinding halt because the holder of the account — Parliamentary Services — provides internet access to hundreds of users anyone of whom could cause infringement notices to be sent.”

“Like Parliament, schools, libraries and universities run the risk of fines or disconnection. Unitec in Auckland has even said they might cease providing internet services for students due to possible copyright liability,” continued Mr. Hughes.

“The Government has a responsibility to ensure that public institutions can navigate around the new law and not run the risk of fines or disconnection. By not providing information or advice and relying on InternetNZ, Internet Service Providers, and the media, Mr. Power has left schools and universities in a legal grey area.”

Soon after the Three Strikes Law was implemented in New Zealand, Wikileaks’ diplomatic cables releases pointed out that the law was Pushed, Bought and Paid for by the U.S.

The following question that popped into in Green Party’s mind was naturally this: “Since when Hollywood writes New Zealand’s law?”

So, the NZ government was more concerned with the interests of major foreign corps rather than its own interest; and why not since the same government didn’t bother to think on the implications that this law would have upon national security, small businesses, local economy or the human rights.

"The NZ government was more concerned with the interests of major foreign corps rather than its own interest"

Rushing in to bad law making may leave the NZ government with a few regrets in the future.