[A2k] Michelle comment on WIPO Casting Treaty

[James Love]

From: michelle <noreply-comment@blogger.com>
Date: September 8, 2006 3:52:25 AM EDT
To: james.love@cptech.org
Subject: [WIPO Casting Treaty] 9/07/2006 11:25:45 AM

The other danger is that the proposal on 'netcasting' would pre empt
any decisions countries may wish to make about what, if anything,
they want to regulate on the Internet and if so how. By benefitting
only one group without having a full debate you are unable to fully
weigh up the costs and benefits to the whole economy/society.

As the recent letter from the coalition of US companies and Civil
society groups shows the costs could be substantial and at the very
least worthy of a debate at national level before being pushed at the
International level.


The EU experience is interesting in this regard, where some Member
States have sought to include a simulcasting obligation( though this
is still largely a paper right as broadcasting over the Internet has
not taken off in the same way as in the States.)

Policy makes have found that a
a number of organisations who are supporting this Treaty, which gives
them new international RIGHTS over broadcast digital content are
opposing content
OBLIGATIONS in the context of the review of the Television without
Frontiers Directive.

Some of the reasons claimed for such opposition, is the difference
between the Internet and the traditional broadcasting environment and
the inappopriateness of apply existing rules to a new medium. Or they
wish for further study into the effects.

Yet they are dismissive of such arguments when made in the context of
this Treaty.

The same issues apply. Its is premature at best and damaging at worst
to seek to extend rights that weren't neccessary for traditional
broadcasting for many countries into the Internet, without at the
very least countries working out what rules are in their national
interest.

Michelle

--
Posted by michelle to WIPO Casting Treaty at 9/07/2006 11:25:45 AM
http://www.cptech.org/blogs/wipocastingtreaty/

---------------------------------
James Love, CPTech / www.cptech.org / mailto:james.love@cptech.org /
tel. +1.202.332.2670 / mobile +1.202.361.3040

"If everyone thinks the same: No one thinks."  Bill Walton