Clare Curran
Spokesperson for Communication and IT

25 March 2009 Media Statement

Talks on Internet copyright issues positive

A meeting last night of stakeholder groups to discuss Internet copyright issues made good progress, Labour spokesperson on Communications and IT Clare Curran said today.

Ms Curran, Labour Commerce Spokesperson Lianne Dalziel, and Labour Culture, Arts and Heritage spokesperson Grant Robertson, arranged a meeting in Parliament which was attended by around 25 representatives from copyright holders and artists, Internet service providers and consumer groups.

Clare Curran said: “Participants agreed there is an urgent need to educate the New Zealand public about copyright, for rights holders to have the ability enforce their rights, and a fair process to do this, which largely centred around discussion on an independent disputes tribunal and meaningful sanctions for breaches of copyright.

“The meeting was not focussed on Section 92Aof the Copyright Act because of the bigger long term issues. The real intent of the meeting was to move discussions forward on how to protect copyright in the digital age without negative consequences.

“Discussion also focussed on the development of new business models to protect copyright while enabling people to have access to information and creative content – to balance consumer and creative rights.

Ms Curran said further talks were planned with stakeholders and she hoped a constructive dialogue on these issues could continue.

“How rights holders can protect their rights in the digital age is a fundamental issue that needs to be addressed given the enormous transformations that have occurred in technology in recent years and the ability of the existing laws to respond adequately,” Clare Curran said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media