Net Neutrality in danger in the EU | 19 comments (19 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Net Neutrality in danger in the EU (none / 1)

Conclusive Prove: The End of the World is near! Not quite, but via the Kosmopolitan I found this interesting paper on the telecoms package:

This paper considers how imminent changes to European telecommunications law will permit the monitoring and blocking of websites and peer-to-peer exchanges by ISPs, in a way that is currently not legally possible. These legal changes will also permit ISPs to sanction users by suspending or terminating Internet access. And they are essential in order for the French `riposte graduee' or `3 strikes' copyright enforcement measures to be implemented.
The changes are a series of hidden amendments related to copyright, and contained in the so-called `Telecoms package'. This paper argues that these amendments will effectively erode the ISP's legal status of `mere conduit', which currently protects individual rights and liberties on the Internet. It argues that the `mere conduit' status should be preserved, and the copyright amendments rejected. The proposed copyright amendments will result in the loss of individual freedom and privacy on the Internet - in breach of fundamental principles of human rights law in Europe. Ultimately, they could open the door to wider political or commercial censorship, and this is the real danger of permitting them to get into law. The risk is that this will happen without proper legislative scrutiny or public debate. The European Parliament committees responsible for the Telecoms package vote on July 7th and the Parliament as a whole will vote on September 2nd.

by rz on Thu Jul 3rd, 2008 at 01:21:19 PM EST

There is more to the Directive (none / 0)

Yet another NGO says that the directive would allow/require the monitoring of internet traffic by the providers. The Open Rights Group::

Could Europe be drafting a new law to disconnect suspected filesharers from the internet? MEPs have already signalled their condemnation of this approach. But last-minute amendments to telecommunications legislation could bring the so-called "3 strikes" approach in by the backdoor. If you want your MEP to stick to their guns on 3 strikes, write to them today to voice your concerns.

by rz on Thu Jul 3rd, 2008 at 03:09:37 PM EST
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Re: There is more to the Directive (none / 0)

Yet another website quoting La Quadrature as a source.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu Jul 3rd, 2008 at 05:21:08 PM EST
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Net Neutrality in danger in the EU | 19 comments (19 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)