Copyright laws updated for digital world
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A bill that brings copyright laws into the digital age was passed by Parliament yesterday.
The Copyright (New Technologies) Amendment Bill changes the Copyright Act 1994 to clarify its application in the digital environment and to take account of international developments.
It does not change the balance between protection and access to copyright material, but makes sure the balance can continue to operate when new technologies are involved.
It introduces an offence, carrying a sentence of a maximum fine of $150,000 or up to five years imprisonment, or both, for commercial dealings in devices, services or information designed to circumvent technological protection measures.
The National Party supported the bill and it passed its third reading by 111 votes to 10. The Greens and the Maori Party opposed it.
The Internet Society of New Zealand, InternetNZ, said the bill did not fully grasp the nature of the new technologies it dealt with.
Executive director Keith Davidson said it failed to enshrine the right for consumers to format-shift all their digital media so they could listen or view it on the device of their choice.
"The legalising of format-shifting of audio files - such as from a purchased CD to an iPod - is a very modest step in the right direction," he said.
"It is a great pity...they have not extended format-shifting to other media such as video."
- NZPA
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No, it states only commercial dealing in regards to circumventing copy protection. This has resounding implications on many factors not considered. It's such a sweeping bill. This article also fails to note all the new laws passed. This just strengthens large production companies' ability to prosecute 'average joe'.
"commercial dealings"? Would this include giving away software or hardware? eg. Open Source s/w?
Interesting that this should come up. The debate on this very topic overseas is becoming very heated, and it seems that the recording industry on the whole is not interested in moving forward, but would rather lock artists (easy) and consumers (not so easy except by legal threat) into their outdated model. If anyone is interested, I wrote a piece on this about a week ago (which was slashdotted) here:
http://mothership.co.nz/blog/index.php/2008/03/31/rip-riaa-et-al/
Interesting that this should come up. The debate on this very topic overseas is becoming very heated, and it seems that the recording industry on the whole is not interested in moving forward, but would rather lock artists (easy) and consumers (not so easy except by legal threat) into their outdated model. If anyone is interested, I wrote a piece on this about a week ago (which was slashdotted) here:
http://mothership.co.nz/blog/index.php/2008/03/31/rip-riaa-et-al/
It is good to see that a high profile sex scandal, on the other side of the world, gets more coverage (screen space) than something that is going to possibly affect more joe average NZers. NOT!!
Chalk up another victory to a dying business model...
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I just read some section of the bill myself. It actually required ISP's to CENSOR copyrighted material and PREVENT ACCESS. This is yet another example of wealth creating laws. I had hoped New Zealand would follow along the lines of Canada or Sweden - now we're just another pawn of the States, playing follow-the-leader for the media industry.