NZ politicians on SOPA
The internet, for such a behemoth, is remarkably fragile.
Currently it's pretty awesome in most of the western world. Aside from streaming services, most people can see everything that everyone else can see all over the world, which was nigh unheard of pre-web.
What does this all mean? It means when one country, especially a huge internet country like the US, makes laws concerning the internet, it affects us all.
You may have heard about SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act,) and the other two associated acts under consideration by the US Senate. They are not good for the internet, not at all.
The problems are too large to list here, but do watch this excellent video. They set a dangerous precedent for what goverments can do to control the internet, one that must be fought. Most of the industry has come out against them, notably Wikipedia, Google, Reddit, and Tumblr.
In a twist that didn't surprise anyone, most politicians don't really understand the internet, and it isn't cute any more. Luckily, Obama has now come out against the current version of SOPA, and it has been shelved. Of course, that is what happened with our copyright laws, and they ended up just getting rushed through at a later date with little to no public consultation. Also, SOPA will be modified - but PIPA may not, which is just as dangerous. And it's not quite gone yet.
So I called up politicians with technology portfolios from New Zealand's three largest parties and asked them what they thought: Amy Adams from National, Clare Curran from Labour and Gareth Hughes from Green. Maybe they could show concern through our diplomatic connections to the US? Well, I didn't just call them - I emailed, tweeted and called them, but I still only got a response from Clare and Gareth - if Amy Adams (or anyone from National or any other parties) would like to add their response, chuck us an email at henry.cooke@stuff.co.nz and I'll edit it in as fast as possible.
Gareth Hughes (Green) was the first to respond. "The Green Party is deeply concerned about the Stop Internet Piracy (SOPA) and PROTECT IP (PIPA) Acts currently debated in the US and its impacts on New Zealanders access to a free and open Internet and online businesses." This was obviously the party line rather than just Gareth's - but that is not atypical of the Greens, they like to have whole party positions. He called the bill "draconian," mentioned how much "fear and uncertainty" it would cause, harming innovation throughout the world, and "would like to see the New Zealand Government [...] express concern through diplomatic channels." He also mentioned the New Zealand Copyright Act and how legislators with "limited knowledge of the internet are regulating it with chilling implications." He tweeted today that the Green Party website will be blacking out in protest. (Blog post about that here.)
Clare Curran (Labour) tweeted back at me with a link to this blog post. Most of the blog was about a New Zealand software patent issue, which is interesting but mostly unrelated, but she did talk about SOPA a fair bit. While she acknowledged that "the issues are complex. Online piracy is an issue," she was obviously concerned about SOPA and it's implications, and was happy Obama had "stepped into the fray."
I called her up to ask if she supported NZ expressing concern through diplomatic channels, and if she saw any parallels with the 'skynet' law. "I certainly support the Government and parliamentarians becoming more informed about issues affecting intellectual property and legislation with key trading partners," continuing that she was concerned about legislators lack of internet understanding which is a "clear economic issue." She said the 'skynet' bill was a subset of this issue, the issue being that politicians lacked understanding in two things, "the importance of our own intellectual property to our own country," and "the need for there to be encouragement of new business models and distribution mechanisms." This echoes what much of the internet has been saying for a while - that they don't especially want to pirate, but it is much easier than waiting four months for a DVD to come out etc. Clare was concerned that the old distribution models and had too much influence, which was "stifling innovation."
I am acutely aware that I have the opinion of two parties on the left, and would once again love to have Amy's opinion on this issue. What do you think of their responses?
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SOPA is just another example of a US Congress so out of touch with modern society and in the pockets of large corporates. Look at Fox news and how much push they are giving it, no surprises Murdoch's empire lose millions through piracy but rather than develop their business distribution to catch the technology development they follow draconian policy. These large production companies and music labels have failed their consumers by not innovating their distributions. 'Skynet' is just the same. I wait for the day some Gen-X or Y's get in to positions of powers in government and can finally make some progressive changes. As a generalization, it is hard to imagine many Boomers having the understanding or knowledge of the technology/IT field to even have a successful debate on the issues.
worth a read: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/01/17/beyond_sopa/
I think this highlights a broader issue: Politicians lack of knowledge and in some cases objectivity in various issues facing society. I find it funny that the US right wing hate regulation in regards to oil & gas, business, and wall street, but LOVE regulating the internet. Of course the left wing have their fair share of hypocrisies too.
Politicians: Love the truth, hate the facts.
I think it'd be a good idea of politicians could pass a competency test on any subject they're passing legislation on :p
The attitude of the National party is bizarre and I wonder if it is a tactic? Prior to the election they did not give their opinion or position on a number of issues. Perhaps someone else could shed some light on how this is beneficial to them?
I have my concerns about the TPPA and the associated legislation American interests want us to pass in our own country to benefit them. I think if SOPA or an equivilant passes in America, the effects will not only be felt here, but they will try and make it law here too.
The motivation around all these laws all come from the corperate world at the expense of what's best for the general populous. Big companies are lobbying governments to create greater profits and market share while the politicians themselves look to protect their control of power through stifling the dissemination of information.
@Mike R #5 - Good idea, but it'd result in any even vaguely technology-related concept bringing parliament to a standstill. The average age in there is a fair way into the grey.
out of touch #2 What a plonker, pilick and tosser you are. Since when did knowledge and learning get resticted to "gen". I am 62 and I will run rings around you everyday in any technology debate you want. "As a generalization, it is hard to imagine many Boomers having the understanding or knowledge of the technology/IT field to even have a successful debate on the issues." The challenge is there if you have the guts to take it up.
National doesn't reply. What a surprise.
Amy Adams is my local MP and I think I've only ever seen her at A&P shows and rural ribbon-cutting events come election time. Not sure if she's really the person to approach with questions about technology.
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A major concern of legislation such as this is that it is often likley to include criminal penalties, offences for which the US then seeks to claim universal jurisdiction as illustrated by its attempts to extradite foreign citizens for actions which are not criminal in the person's own country of residence. See for example the story in today's Age: Advice from a convicted file sharer.