NZ Copyright Law

Government wavers on web cut-offs

"The Government has issued mixed messages on whether it might freeze controversial new copyright law that could lead to customers being disconnected from the internet.


Industry bodies including the Computer Society and InternetNZ united to slam an amendment to the Copyright Act passed by Parliament in April, voicing most concern over a clause that could require them to cut off people's Internet connections if they had repeatedly been involved in copyright breaches.

They described that as "a deeply flawed law that undermines fundamental rights and simply will not work"."

Commentary: Cutting off your Internet if you are accused of infringement

"I’m particularly worked up about that act. You may remember that, few months ago, the government pushed through, without any consultation, some harsh new copyright restrictions. I say without consultation, although its clear that someone was consulted because the minister, Judith Tizard, thanked the music industry lobbyists in the house when she pushed it through. Go figure."

Crikey