Now we have the perfect storm.
1 ACTA - in the hands of EU negotiators
2 DEBill - in parliament
3 BBC DRM for HDTV - with Ofcom for consultation
Every one of these restrictive proposals hit hard at our freedoms, are against human rights and are not in our interest.
The issues are
1 ACTA has been negotiated worldwide in secret. It has many clauses that give strong powers to right holders, but none to the consumer. It, like the DEBill accuses people of being guilty until proved innocent. It even proposes criminal punishment for copyright infringement!
It is so strong that it could severely affect the future of the Internet. Possibly including blocking Google!
2 DEBill has sections specifically written by rights holders, there was no pubic consultation, and it allows people to be accused of being guilty until proved innocent. A complete contradiction of our human rights.
This is also so strong that it could severely affect the future of the Internet. It will certainly skew the balance to the interest of rights holders. There has been no discussion of the underlying copyright laws.
3 The BBC request to Ofcom to implement DRM on HD TV has been made at the request of American media groups. There position seems to be total acquiescence to the media moguls requests, not to be standing up for our rights.
The proposals would extend copyright protection to a "deviceright", only allowing licensed equipment to receive broadcasts.
Copyright law says nothing about a deviceright. So this is UK law defined by USA interests
It will mandate TVs and STBs valid only in UK, and not EU compatible. IT will block today's DVB receivers and force people to purchase new STBs.
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