Wednesday 4 July 2018

How to destroy the best of the internet without even trying...

I have just emailed all seven of the MEPs for the Eastern Region about the copyright proposals. You should too (feel free to plagiarise anything you like). You can find your MEPs email addresses here: https://tinyurl.com/yclw4hl8
Dear MEP,
Please do not ignore this as just another email - it is a critical piece of information and an urgent plea for careful consideration.
The EU is being asked to enact Copyright laws which threaten to seriously damage the greatest benefit of the internet - the free and easy distribution of information and data. And it is only for the benefit of a small group of vested interests.
I entered the world of the internet in 1993 just as the WWW was getting going. I joined the UK's first large scale commercial internet service provider, PIPEX. My job was to promote the benefits for business but also to assist in the safer deployment of the system.
There is no doubt that it has had some bad results among the good. But I would suggest the good far outweighs the bad - and the free availability of information, especially quality information from credible sources, is a key to that. This law could destroy that at a stroke.
To save me time I have borrowed some of these words but I have edited and concur with them all.
The proposal would make sharing and accessing news online more difficult. It would force most online platforms to monitor all content posted by anyone - that means ISPs and content services like Facebook, YouTube etc, will be required to check the source of any videos, comments, maps, images indeed anything. And potentially block it (censor it).
It has the capability to prevent anyone across Europe (but NOT the world) from sharing their ideas on line. It could inhibit the development of new thoughts and ideas. Surely everyone should have the right to remix, create parodies, and share their ideas online. Make no mistake, as it stands there are NO exceptions.
The proposal only allows scientific research institutions to mine text and datasets, but vastly more people — like librarians, journalists, and independent scientists — should be able to access the information they need to discover innovative solutions.
Worst of all this will only apply in Europe - it will disable and damage the EU's international standing and its competitiveness at the very moment that trade relations are becoming strained.
For the sake of us all and for your grandchildren you must stop this now. Get it delayed and seriously amended to protect the interest of everyone in Europe.
europarl.europa.eu
Find your MEPs here. There are 73 UK MEPs. They are elected in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Other EU member states elect MEPs…