- New Zealand Internet Blackout
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The New Zealand Internet Blackout was an online protest spearheaded by the Creative Freedom Foundation NZ against changes to copyright law in New Zealand, most notably Section 92A of the Copyright (New Technologies) Amendment Act.
The protest originated at the 2009 Kiwi Foo Camp in Warkworth[1] and ran from 16-23 February. Internet users changed their avatars to black squares, to symbolise what opponents of Section 92A regard as guilt by accusation. In particular, they point to the clause in Section 92A which states "Internet service providers must have policy for terminating accounts of repeat infringers". Additionally protesters were encouraged to sign a petition and/or write to their MP.
Notable supporters of the Blackout campaign included Russell Brown[2], Nathan Torkington[3], Stephen Fry [4][5][6], Neil Gaiman[7], Cory Doctorow[8][9], Leo Laporte[10][11], and technology journalist Juha Saarinen[12] who asked Fry if he would help out with the protest.
On 19 February about 200 people, including internet service provider (ISP) representatives, artists, musicians, writers, and bloggers — most of them holding up plain black placards, and some with taped mouths — protested and presented a petition outside Parliament at lunchtime. Wellington-based MP Peter Dunne addressed the protesters, announcing that on the previous day he had separate meetings with Commerce Minister Simon Power and Prime Minister John Key over the issue.
On 23 February John Key announced that Section 92A would be delayed until 27 March. [13]
On Monday, 23 March, it was announced that Section 92A would be removed and redrafted [14]
The online petition maintained by the Creative Freedom Foundation has over 17,000 signatures.
Contents
Second Blackout?
Anti-piracy legislation was re-introduced in April 2011 by the New Zealand Government under the Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Bill. Although somewhat watered down from the original Section 92a legislation, it still contained forcible disconnection provisions, and was passed under urgency by all parties with the exception of the Greens and two dissident MPs, Chris Carter and Hone Harawira. This use of urgency was highly controversial, with many in the Internet community accusing the Government of invoking urgency to push through highly contentious laws. Additionally, many opponents of the new law called for a return of the 2009 Blackout, who also ridiculed the televised performances of several MPs who defended the law. [1] [2] [3]
See also
- Copyright law in New Zealand
References
- ^ Nat Torkington. "New Zealand Goes Black". Radar O'Reilly. http://radar.oreilly.com/2009/02/new-zealand-goes-black.html.
- ^ Russell Brown. "Public Address - Hard News". http://publicaddress.net/default,5693,the_public_bad.sm.
- ^ O'Reilly Radar
- ^ Stephen Fry's entries on Twitter #1 & #2
- ^ NetGuide NZ - Fry backs campaign against 92A
- ^ Clio Francis (18 Feb 2009). "Stephen Fry rails against NZ internet law". Stuff.co.nz. http://www.stuff.co.nz/4851675a28.html.
- ^ Neil Gaiman on Twitter
- ^ Cory Doctorow on Twitter
- ^ BoingBoing.net - New Zealand netizens go black in protest of new "no-proof" copyright law that cuts off your Internet on accusation
- ^ Leo Laporte on Twitter #1 & #2
- ^ Radio Wammo - Leo Laporte on the Blackout
- ^ "New Copyright Act to hit NZ ISPs". ZDNet Australia. http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/business/soa/New-copyright-act-to-hit-NZ-ISPs/0,139023166,339294778,00.htm.
- ^ http://creativefreedom.org.nz/story.html?id=170
- ^ Keall, Chris (23 March 2009). "Section 92A to be scrapped". National Business Review. http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/section-92a-be-scrapped-89121. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
External links
- NZ Legislation Online - Section 92A of the Copyright (New Technologies) Amendment Act 2008
- Creative Freedom NZ - Join the Internet Blackout
- Techsploder - Join New Zealand Internet blackout protest against insane copyright law
- The g33k show - #Blackout NZ Daily News from Mohawk Media
- NZ Herald - Pat Pilcher: Guilty by accusation copyright protestors paint it black
- The Register - Kiwis go all black over copyright enforcement laws
- "The lights are going out all over Twitter" - The Guardian, 17 Feb 2009
Categories:- Internet in New Zealand
- Protests in New Zealand
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