[A2k] The fight against ACTA

[A.C.Story]

Jamie and A2Kers:

Two of the main questions that I think need to be addressed by those oppose=
d to ACTA are:

1) Should violating copyright laws/copyright infringement/piracy be crimina=
l offenses and should the penalty, upon conviction, be a prison sentence?

2) And, to take take two current examples, should Professor Potel of Argent=
ina, if convicted, and should the Pirate Bay four of Sweden, now that they =
have been convicted today, be sent to prison?

We already know the answers of those supporting ACTA.

In fact, they want more prison sentences...and stiffer ones at that if toda=
y's sentences of one year in prison and a fine of 30m Swedish kronor (Briti=
sh =A32.4m) in damages do not send out "the message" intended, to use the w=
ords of John Kennedy, chairman of the International Federation of the Phono=
graphic Industry (IFPI), the global music industry body.

My question: What are the answers from those who say they are opposed to BO=
TH the surreptitious process being used to bring in the new ACTA treaty AND=
 the content of ACTA we have heard about so far?

Best
Alan (sitting, in fact, on a wooden chair if it really is of any interest)


Alan Story
Senior Lecturer, Intellectual Property Law
Kent Law School
University of Kent
Canterbury Kent
United Kingdom      CT2 7NS
acs3@kent.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)1227 823316
________________________________________
From: Jamie Love [jamespackardlove@gmail.com] On Behalf Of James Love [jame=
s.love@keionline.org]
Sent: 17 April 2009 20:58
To: A.C.Story; a2k-admin@lists.essential.org; a2k@lists.essential.org
Subject: Re: [A2k] The fight against ACTA

What are these plush chairs Professor Story is speaking about? Jamie
--------------
James.Love@KEIonline.org, http://www.keionline.org
Work +1.202.332.2670, US Mobile +1.202.361.3040
Geneva Mobile +44.76.413.6584

-----Original Message-----
From: A.C.Story <A.C.Story@kent.ac.uk>

Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:28:08
To: a2k@lists.essential.org<a2k@lists.essential.org>
Cc: acs3@kent.ac.uk<A.C.Story@kent.ac.uk>
Subject: [A2k] The fight against ACTA


--
[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]

For some months, members of this list have been making proposals about what=
 is the best way to campaign against the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreemen=
t (ACTA). Almost universally, these comments have focused on THE PROCESS us=
ed to negotiate this treaty and how it lacks transparency.

All very fine, but this avoids a challenge to the main issue that needs to =
be confronted: THE CONTENT of  agreements such as ACTA and the wider global=
 offensive being led by content owners against copyright 'piracy' --- or co=
pying they don't like.

Two weeks ago, Copy South put out the message about Professor Potel in Arge=
ntina
https://www.kent.ac.uk/law/copysouth/en/horacio_potel_en.htm

Today, we have learned of a court decision in Sweden to send four members o=
f Pirate Bay to prison for a year for copyright infringement.

Details are at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8003799.stm
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/04/17/pirate_bay_loses_trial/

I hope the denunciations of today's decision ring in from across the globe,=
 including on this list.

Or will we cower and refuse to be counted...and instead try to figure out h=
ow to get more plush chairs for 'activists' at WIPO meetings in Geneva.

Alan Story


Alan Story
Senior Lecturer, Intellectual Property Law
Kent Law School
University of Kent
Canterbury Kent
United Kingdom
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