Hysterical response to Copyright changes rings alarms

Principal of Entertainment Law Firm, Dominion Law Chris Hocquard has this to contribute to the ongoing debate over the implementation of a Code of Conduct for ISPs relating to repeat infringers of copyright works.

“At least 85% of all digital traffic in music involves illegal downloading and file sharing. Every one of those transactions involves a data transfer through an ISP.

" This law changes merely requires the ISPs to act responsibly and to help deal with a problem that is out of control. The ISPs control the traffic and benefit from sale of data, the new law just recognises that and puts the responsibility in the hands of the people who can actually make a difference.

“Requiring the ISP to notify a customer that their activity appears to be infringing, not once but many times and, only as a final resort, disconnecting that person is hardly an attack on a customer’s civil rights.

“It’s very difficult to understand the hysteria being generated by such a simple solution.

"The Government has acted calmly and reasonably and has allowed the ISPs and the other interested parties the chance to develop a workable Code of Practice. This is clearly the best course and should soon be completed” he says.

“It is regrettable that certain minority interests are distorting the situation. It really does make you stop and wonder, what is it they are actually trying to protect, their customers or their income streams. If you have a business model based on the illegal trafficking of other peoples’ property then perhaps it is time to revisit that model.

Chris is New Zealand’s leading Music lawyer. His firm Dominion Law represents many artists and businesses working in the New Zealand Music and other Creative Industries including many household names. He is also the deputy Chairman of the New Zealand Music Commission, the Chairman of bFM, the founder of amplifier.co.nz, New Zealand’s longest running music website and a Director of DRM, New Zealand largest digital content aggregator. He is uniquely placed to see the devastating effect that digital piracy is having on the Creative Industries

ENDS

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