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New Zealand’s Internet blackout against new copyright law: Day 1

by Yuliya Talmazan | February 16, 2009 at 11:12 am

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New Zealand’s Internet users are fighting against a new law set to tighten copyright restrictions by holding an Internet blackout February 16 to 23. Protesters, led by The Creative Freedom Foundation, claim New Zealand has arguably the world’s harshest copyright enforcement law.

Under the new Copyright Act, New Zealand's authorities will be able to severe the Internet connection of anyone accused of "copyright infringement.” This means anyone downloading music or videos "illegally" may find their Internet connection gone without trial. It is not clear what fees will have to be paid after the connection is cut, and whether the accused will stand a chance of reclaiming their connection in the future.

Protesters call for Internet users around the world to ‘black out’ on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace changing their avators to plain black as a way to protest before the law comes into force on February 28.

The Twitter hashtag in support of the anti-copyright law protest is #blackout.

The Facebook support group “New Zealand Internet blackout protest against insane copyright law” can be found here.

Creative Freedom’s website provides detailed instructions about how to ‘black out’ on different social networks, and provides ‘black out’ avators and banner adverts.

Join The New Zealand Internet Blackout to protest against the Guilt Upon Accusation law 'Section 92A' that calls for internet disconnection based on accusations of copyright infringement without a trial and without any evidence held up to court scrutiny. This is due to come into effect on February 28th unless immediate action is taken by the National Party.

Join thousands of New Zealanders already against this law by blacking out your Facebook photo, your websites, your Myspace pages, your Twitter account, in protest against this unjust new law that may come into effect on February 28.

Music fans worldwide are using Twitter, Facebook and MySpace to protest against a new New Zealand law that could mean users who illegally download music internet see their connections severed.

Under the "Guilt Upon Application" law, which could come into force from February 28, New Zealand internet users accused of copyright infringement can have their internet connections cut legally without a trial.

Now The Creative Freedom Foundation, which campaigns and lobbys on copyright issues with regard to artistry including music, has launched a campaign to attempt to make the New Zealand government withdraw the law.

Internet users worldwide have been changing their profile pictures on various social networking sites including Twitter, Facebook and MySpace to a plain black picture as a mark of their protest against the law.