The Blackout and Why it Won't Work.
What is 92a? 92a, commonly called the 'Guilt by accusation law', is a new law designed to 'protect' copyright holders. If any user is accused of breaching someones copyright, their ISP will have to disconnect their internet connection. Yes you did read that correctly, you can be disconnected on accusation alone, which is crazy to say the least.
The blackout is a plan formed by 'Creative Freedom NZ', in which people will blackout their webpages, blogs, facebook etc, as a way of protesting against the law.
But will this succeed in doing anything other than inconveniencing a few people?
It could have a chance of working if higher profile websites did the same, such as Trademe, Stuff, NZHerald etc. But a day blacked out is a day less profit, which is a day too many for them. Think about it, if Trade me did a blackout for even an hour, it would bring the issue of 92a thousands of the general public and not just the tech community. We all know about it, but does Larry the 58 year old milk man from Masterton know about it? He's the guy that needs to know about this new law. I know that this is what the blackout is trying to do, but until it hits the mainstream, I don't think that it can succeed.
The blackout will raise awareness, no doubt about that. There has already been media attention thrown its way. And the more media attention it gets, the better. But will it get the attention of the short minded polititians that let it go through?
I hope the blackout works, I hope United Future is able to convince the other partys that 92a is in need of reform. I guess we'll all just have to wait and see.
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Geekzone has committed by planning a blackout on the 23rd of February.
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Comment by Larry the 53 year old milkman, on 17-Feb-2009 17:21 , user id: 9006)
I knew about it already dude. PLUS I am only 53, NOT 58.
Damn internet whippersnappers.
I'll go all FORTRAN on your sorry ass.
Regards,
Larry in Masterton
Comment by juha, on 18-Feb-2009 09:57 , user id: 16775)
I believe everyone's aware of the fact that Internet events have to be matched by ones in real life to work.
This is being organised - through the Internet. See how it works? :)
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Comment by allan, on 17-Feb-2009 15:33 , user id: 24365)
You might like to check your spelling "Guild by accusation law" should be "Guilt by accusation law" and Geekzone is "planning" a blackout, not "panning"