| Interesting read: EU 3-strikes and Inet as a Right The Europeans are trying something in regards to the defending of neutrality, "open access" and the terrible 3-strikes they just passed in european parliament (like Frances 3-strike law). Re-mixing has always been around (regardless of the media medium).
It appears the Italian movement of Neutrality (who are also the Italian movement of Free Culture) and the European coalition of "OpenNet" created (or are involved with) a website called REFF.
REFF States:
REFF is an international competition in which artists, writers, musicians, designers, architects and creatives can submit their works, as long as they are created by remixing, mashing up, cutting-up, recontextualizing, squatting, morphing one or more "objects" that are subject to copyright/patent restrictions.
Yes, to join REFF you need to break the law!
Well, not really. What we ask people joining REFF is to experiment with the laws on patents and intellectual property, and to expose their paradoxes, errors, useless limitations, producing beautiful productions, things that can enrich our existence, our knowledge of the world and of its cultures, by remixing, disassembling, reassembling, connecting things that someone else created.
Keep in mind that in Europe and in France, 3-strikes and you are out. Disconnected from the net (applicable to the wholesalers there as well).
This may or may not be coming our way eventually (ACTA & Copyright reform), so they seem to be pushing the buck to show the errors in current law in regards to Remixing. Something people have done since before the age of the internet.
Is it applicable to Canadians? Sure is.
Some of the Consumer Groups have been fighting with the CRTC to make internet a RIGHT in Canada (like Finland). More specifically, the Quebec Consumers Union has called for this in previous filings with the CRTC and bringing up Charter Rights.
This is also going to be the next fight with the CRTC about making internet an essential service.
But if it's a "right", if it's an "essential service", and if something as simple and as fundamentally cultural related like "Re-Mixing" (morphing of photo's is included in that) is enough to get you kicked off due to copyright, Then there is a problem. This is what REFF appears to be saying.
Very interesting stance they are taking here, and worth taking a look at (for those of you interested in internet being essential or a right, and how the criminalization of P2P type apps is taking place in the EU (similar to Canada but not as bad here.. yet)).
This new coalition states:
"We strongly believe in the creativity of the people, as we know that the Network has given us a unique opportunity to develop and express ourselves. Do not let the social and cultural emancipation be held hostages by profit, become an active part and show that we want to be leaders of our future.
I spotted this article this morning here: »www.p2pnet.net/story/30464
I personally think this is something Canadians should be doing as well (or taking part in) to shake things up a bit.
Interesting... |
