[free-sklyarov] Mayday Mayday Mayday - NZ DMCA Looms!

[Seth Johnson]

(Forwarded from C-FIT Content Control Outreach list)

-------- Original Message --------
Date: 13 Dec 2002 12:13:57 +1300
From: David McNab <david at rebirthing.co.nz>
To: C-FIT_Release_Community at RealMeasures.dyndns.org

Hi all,

Forgive the alarming subject of this message, but I feel it
appropriate under the circumstances.

New Zealand is gearing up to enact its own version of the
oppressive DMCA, and is now accepting public submissions.

Submissions from overseas will have the ability to influence
the outcome here, if:

* You can demonstrate yourself to be in a qualified position
to comment, and

* You can demonstrate the adverse and often unintended
effects that the DMCA is having in the USA

The position paper can be read at:

> http://www.med.govt.nz/buslt/int_prop/digital/position/

It's probably a good idea to analyse the similarities and
differences from the USA version of the DMCA.

I ask that all people with active interest and involvement
in protecting users' rights, including fair use, freedom of
expression and freedom of innovation, read this paper and
make submissions to the New Zealand Ministry of Economic
Development.

New Zealand's incumbent government prides itself on being
highly consultative, so you'll have the ability to tip the
scales in favour of the consumer and the private citizen. 
The more New Zealand can be swayed to a less oppressive
position, the more force there'll be towards efforts to
repeal/mitigate the DMCA in the USA, because NZ can then be
cited as a positive example.. So it's actually in *your*
interest, in the USA and other countries, to make a
submission.

Submissions must be received before Friday, February 21,
2003. Please don't delay unduly - it's easy to blink twice
and discover that the date has already passed.

Snail Mail is probably best, sent to the following address:

  Digital Technology and the Copyright Act 1994
  Attention: Victoria Pearson 
  Regulatory and Competition Policy Branch 
  Ministry of Economic Development 
  PO Box 1473 
  WELLINGTON,
  NEW ZEALAND

Email submissions are also accepted -
victoria.perason at med.govt.nz

Thanking you in advance for your efforts.

Warm regards
David


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