[Greens-Media] FTA Copyright bill will hurt consumers: Greens

[Edwards, Jon (Sen K. Nettle)]

01.12.04

FTA Copyright bill will hurt consumers: Greens

Greens Senator Kerry Nettle today criticised proposed changes to
copyright law saying the legislation will hurt consumers and Australia's
IT industry. 

The Copyright Legislation Amendment Bill 2004, introduced into
Parliament yesterday, will implement changes agreed to in further
negotiations between the US and Australian Governments on the
US-Australia Free Trade Agreement. 

Senator Nettle also called on the Trade Minister to release the exchange
of letters between the two governments.

"This bill takes us further down the US copyright road of giving
enormous power to big copyright owners at the expense of consumers and
copyright users", Senator Nettle said.

"Internet service providers will be open to a flood of copyright
infringement claims that will reduce media diversity and free speech on
the net."

"The requirements that carriage service providers must take-down
material as soon as they are aware that material may be infringing
copyright are exactly what have caused big problems in the US."

"Internet companies remove material in many cases merely on the receipt
of a computer generated message alleging copyright breaches, without the
complainant having to prove any infringement in the courts."

"Ordinary consumers in the US, who post material to websites, have
internet blogs and interest groups are having material taken down and
being forced off the web."

"The Greens are also concerned by changes in the bill which may reduce
consumer choices because of increased costs to ISPs and the stifling of
innovation such as peer-to-peer sharing of files."

"There are big questions about what else Mark Vaile agreed to in order
to keep the White House happy. The Senate must see the exchange of
letters that sealed the deal before it debates this legislation."

The Greens will move in the Senate to require the tabling of the
exchange of letters before any debate on legislation.

Contact - Jon Edwards 0428 213 146