Blackout protest reaches Parliament

'This is just a completely ludicrous law to try and enact'

The Dominion Post

BLACKOUT: Hundreds of protesters gathered at Parliament today to protest a 'guilt by accusation' clause in the new internet copyright law due to take effect this month.

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Parliament was blacked out this afternoon as hundreds of protesters gathered to deliver a petition protesting internet copyright rules due to take effect this month.

Carrying black placards as part of the Internet Blackout Week NZ campaign, the protesters were met by Peter Dunne.

He accepted the petition, which included 10,000 signatures collected online, and said he would have it tabled before Parliament this afternoon.

Mr Dunne said the Copyright (New Technologies) Amendement Act 2008 - in particular section 92a - was a "threat on freedom of speech".

He said that section was "a 'guilt by accusation' clause".

Section 92a says internet service providers - such as Xtra or Woosh - must "reasonably implement a policy that provides for termination, in appropriate circumstances, of the account with that internet service provider of a repeat [copyright] infringer".

It would mean internet service providers would have to take on the role of "gatekeeper", blocking online access to anyone accused of flouting copyright laws and illegally downloading films and music.

Opponents of the law fear internet users could have their connections cut off without proof they have broken copyright rules.

The BlackOut protest is the brainchild of a Kiwi organisation called the Creative Freedom Foundation which is urging users to replace their avatars on all internet sites with a black box to illustrate what the internet could look like following the law change.

Blacked out boxes have been appearing on social networking websites such as Twitter, Facebook, My Space and Bebo.

British actor Stephen Fry has added celebrity heft to the campaign.

Protestor Peter Lanbrechtsn, a 33-year-old computer consultant, said he was appalled at both the former Labour-led and current National-led governments' approach to copyright in the digital domain.

"They aren't really listening to people. They don't understand the true implications of it.

"This is just a completely ludicrous law to try and enact.

"My concern is it is creating a situation where you are guilty until proven innocent," Mr Lanbrechtsn said.

This was contrary to the bill of rights and natural justice, he said.

The law will come into effect on February 28.

- with Stuff.co.nz

- © Fairfax NZ News