You could lose Internet access on a whim
Colin Jackson speaks regularly on National Radio about New Zealand Internet matters. Recently he spoke about Section 92A of the Copyright Act:
… it says that ISPs have to cut people off the Internet if a music company accuses them of copyright infringement. There’s no trial, no proof, and no accountability on the record companies to get it right.
[Via : Cutting off your Internet if you are accused of infringement.]
In other countries the music companies have a history of accusing anyone and everyone of copyright infringement by downloading or sharing material. Cases have been thrown out of court because the accused didn’t own a computer, or even was dead!
Section 92A of the Copyright Act goes against our well-establised right to a trial. As written, Internet access can be cut off if someone is accused of copyright infringement, not if they are found guilty of it.
This is something we should know about, and probably act on. Read Colin’s post for full details, and the link to an article:
which quotes the head of the music lobby as saying that it would be totally unacceptable for them to have to prove their case in court.
Links:
- Copyright Act 1994 No 143 (as at 01 August 2008), Public Act, 92: Adaptations
- Copyright (New Technologies) Amendment Act 2008 No 27, Public Act, Part 1 Amendments to Parts 1 to 5 of Copyright Act 1994
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September 26, 2008 No Comments
Martus - a secure information management tool
I have no experience with the Martus software tool, but it may be of use to community organisations:
Martus is a secure information management tool that allows you to create a searchable and encrypted database and back this data up remotely to your choice of publicly available servers. The Martus software is used by organizations around the world to protect sensitive information and shield the identity of victims or witnesses who provide testimony on human rights abuses. Martus is the Greek word for witness.
An open source software tool, Martus is used by human rights workers, attorneys, journalists and others who need to secure their information from eavesdropping, theft or equipment failure.
[Via : The Cute Cat Theory Talk at ETech.]
If you’ve used Martus, please leave a comment with your opinions about it.
March 18, 2008 No Comments
