If you take the time to read the recently passed legislation in NZ, it's big media's wet dream. Presumption of guilt: check. Bypassing of due process: check (fucking kangaroo court tribunals). Three strikes and termination of Internet access: check. Passed via "emergency" Christchurch earthquake session. The whole thing stinks of Washington arm twisting.
Internet access should (and I think, likely will) be legislated as a right in many countries in the semi-near future.
Already, it's difficult/impossible to find/apply for a job without internet access. Cutting off someone's internet access may be a breach of freedom of expression/free speech in some countries. When all phones are VOIP phones, the internet will be a life or death matter for 911/111/999 calls. Not to mention stuff you have to buy, children's homework, your job may likely be a telecommute position (in which case, revocation of internet access = hungry kids), etc.
They don't revoke your license and right to wear coats when you're caught shoplifting, even though the car is how you got to the store, and you hid the item in your coat. It's because those items are necessary and useful for other purposes. And because there is no lobby to get that legislated.
Wait, in the US, we have a "budget crisis" that's letting us seriously contemplate de-funding virtually all social programs, we're in 2.5 wars, and we've got money and time to waste on "intellectual property" and diplomatic arm-twisting?
And people wonder why as an Australian I take such an interest in the US political system. As an added bonus it makes me feel better about the sorry state of our system. One case where the grass isn't greener.
As an American living in Australia, I find Australians as a whole are often more clued-in than Americans regarding US political matters. (They're also far more pragmatic and less idealistic about politics in general.)
Is there anyone on our side? Looking at the Canadian elections currently, I'm not sure there is a single party that wouldn't pass a C-32 or NZ like bill. It's sad. The 301 list is such a joke it's not even funny. I think Canada should raise taxes on oil exports to the US to replace the money we already give the big media and friends (for example: per Blank Disc,Hard drive, iPod tax should be paid by the US because it all goes to them anyway.)
A similar legislation was also passed in Malaysia not too far back. I would not be surprised if the same situation occurred there as well. However, enforcement would be another matter.
