17 December 2009

For immediate release

The Creative Freedom Foundation welcome Minister Simon Power's release of the replacement for Section 92A of the Copyright Act.

CFF Director, Bronwyn Holloway-Smith states ”Earlier this year we came dangerously close to a Guilt Upon Accusation-style law but this new proposal steers well clear of that approach, respecting due process and the principle of being innocent until proven guilty by experts. While there are issues like internet termination and liability for malicious allegations we are optimistic that the government is on the right track to creating a great solution for NZ that supports both public and artistic rights.”

The previous law was called “draconian” by Prime Minister John Key before being scrapped in March this year pending a rewrite which has resulted in yesterdays' proposal by Minister Simon Power.

Holloway-Smith further says “the internet is nothing more than the most efficient copying machine the world has ever known, surpassing earlier industrial copying machines which produced wax cylinders, paper piano rolls, vinyl records, and plastic compact discs. Our society has moved forward from regulating an industrial manufacturing process to trying to regulate what people do in the privacy of their own homes on personal computers. The public relations aspect to modern copyright law and maintaining public respect for artistic rights is crucial to encouraging the arts, and this proposal goes a long way toward that.”

“The proposal empowers the Copyright Tribunal to resolve disputes and issue financial penalties, with the harsh punishment of internet termination being reserved for a court process.“

"There are still issues to resolve but we look forward to the Select Committee process."

ENDS

SEE ALSO Creative Freedom Foundation s92A proposal review.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE FREEDOM FOUNDATION

The Creative Freedom Foundation is a not-for-profit trust representing 20,000 New Zealanders, including 10,000 artists (musicians, film makers, visual artists, designers, writers, & performers). The trust founded in 2008 in response to changes in copyright law and the effect these changes are having on creativity, the economy, and public rights. Through education and advocacy, the CFF seek to encourage, and promote New Zealand artist's views on issues that have the potential to influence their collective creativity.

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