Politicians and pressure groups argue that enforcement of a download ban will be costly and ‘criminalises’ the consumer. In particular the right to privacy will come under strong pressure because the internet traffic of consumers needs to be analysed. But at the same time politicians do feel that authors and rightsholders need some kind of compensation. Most politicians opposed to a download ban feel that a general levy (a tax) on internet access used to compensate authors and rightsholders is a viable alternative.
Archive for 2012/01/06
Why a download levy is a really bad idea
Posted: 2012/01/06 in Copyright, Education / Awareness, File Sharing, Illegal File Sharing, New Business ModelsMPAA Joins RIAA in ‘Monstrous’ Jammie Thomas Appeal
Posted: 2012/01/06 in Education / Awareness, LitigationThe battle between the RIAA and the file-sharing mother of four Jammie Thomas has turned into a numbers game.
It all started in 2007 when a jury hit Thomas with a $222,000 verdict when she was found guilty of sharing 24 songs using the file-sharing client Kazaa.
It is now up to the court to decide if the arguments provided by the billion dollar entertainment companies hold any ground.
http://torrentfreak.com/mpaa-joins-riaa-in-monstrous-jammie-thomas-appeal-120106/
BitTorrent Inc. just released a new standalone file-sharing application called Share
Posted: 2012/01/06 in Education / Awareness, File Sharing, New Business Models, Tech EvolutionThe application aims to make it easier for tech novices to share large files with friends, without having to get familiar with all the BitTorrent customs and lingo
http://torrentfreak.com/bittorrent-releases-new-share-application-120105/
Public Outrage Over Low Sanctions For Criminal Who Attacked Cop. Prosecutor’s Office: Blame The BOS/Polaris Software
Posted: 2012/01/06 in Education / Awareness, Enforcement, Jurisprudence, Litigation, New Business ModelsA law enforcement officer in The Netherlands was punched in the face 6 times (when on the ground) by a suspected criminal. The public prosecutor demanded 60 hours of public service as a sanction. The judge awarded 20 hours and a fine of 200 EUR.
The Dutch public is outraged. The public prosecutor’s office however says it adhered to guidlines provided by the BOS/Polaris software it is using. That software automatically calculates the relevant sanction – a prosecutor can demand, or a judge can award - for each crime that is committed in The Netherlands.
The public prosecutor’s office has even posted the application online and it can be downloaded from this location:
http://www.om.nl/publish/pages/81626/bossetup_4_47_40_extern.zip
so Dutch citizens can try it for themselves.
Dutch language articles and site:
http://www.geenstijl.nl/mt/archieven/2012/01/utrechtse_agent_kapot_maken_20.html
http://www.geenstijl.nl/mt/archieven/2012/01/kijktip_sophie_hilbrand_te_gas.html
http://www.daardan.nl/2012/01/taakstraf-voor-agentbeuker-dankzij-softe-polaris-richtlijnen/
http://www.om.nl/organisatie/beleidsregels/bos_polaris/virtuele_map/downloaden_bos/
