Monthly Archive for January, 2009

Guilt Upon Accusation law Section 92A – My letter

I’m out of the country on business but I just received an update that the people to send the letters to are
Hon Steven Joyce – s.joyce@ministers.govt.nz
Christopher Finlayson MP – c.finlayson@ministers.govt.nz

Below is my letter.

Dear Hon Steven Joyce,

I’m writing in regard to Guilt Upon Accusation law Section 92A.

I’m an artist and I fully oppose the suggested law.

Please remember that we should all treat each other how we would like to be treated. The last thing myself or anyone else, and I’m sure yourself included likes, is to be accused of something, weather it is true or false.

Every person in New Zealand is currently entitled to a fair trial. This law removes this right. If it starts here, then where does it end?

This law is putting service providers in an uncomfortable situation. They need customers to survive. If they gain a reputation for banning customers unfairly then they are going to lose business. It was not their fault that the customer was banned, they will have been ordered upon accusation.

Please realise that it is not easy to know if a user is transferring data illegally. Many of the software systems used are designed to transfer data, not specifically to do illegal activity. I use the same software systems that are common to transfer illegal data to transfer my legal data. It does not make me a thief but this law makes it possible for me to be accused and punished with out any proof.

Please reconsider your actions. Please consider the actions of other countries that are realising this is an unjust ask of an industry that is reluctant to change with the times.

You see most industries move with technology or die. The industry people who are pro this law have done little to move with the fast changes of our time.

Please reconsider.

Thank you,
James Turner

James
=-)

Stop NZ “Guilty Upon Accusation” law from being passed

New Zealand's new Copyright Law presumes 'Guilt Upon Accusation' and will Cut Off Internet Connections without a trial. CreativeFreedom.org.nz is against this unjust law - help us

Digg this story http://digg.com/tech_news/Campaign_to_Stop_File_Sharers_Being_Guilty_Upon_Accusation

Read about it here http://torrentfreak.com/campaign-to-stop-file-sharers-being-guilty-upon-accusation-090105/

Specifics here and sign the partition http://creativefreedom.org.nz/s92.html

Join the FaceBook group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=40731948387

As you know I have sent letters to the government before, and this time its about my fundamental right of ‘innocent until proven guilty’.

I will publicize my official letter to all members of parliament as soon as I have finalized it.

Until then I would like to share the copy and paste version from the Creative Freedom website.

Hi,
I’ve just become aware about some major proposed changes in NZ law that will have a huge impact on artists, businesses, and general members of the public: basically anyone that uses the internet, and I thought you should know about them.
The proposed Section 92 of the Copyright Amendment Act assumes Guilt Upon Accusation and forces the termination of internet connections and websites without evidence, without a fair trial, and without punishment for any false accusations of copyright infringement. We should speak out against injustices like Guilt Upon Accusation being done in the name of artists and protecting creativity.
The countdown is on: we have until 28 February 2009 to influence government.
An organisation called the Creative Freedom Foundation has been set up to specifically represent artists voices on these issues. Check out their website: http://www.creativefreedom.org.nz , sign up and help our MPs make an informed decision about S92!
Thanks,

Make your voice heard! Don’t let them do this!

Thanks,
James
=-)