Internet Regulation
Beware, the last bastion of freedom in this world, the Internet may soon be free no longer. According to an EFF e-mail I received today, government released documents imply that treaty negotiators are zeroing in on Internet regulation. According to the e-mail they sent me:
“A discussion of the challenges for the pact includes ‘the speed and ease of digital reproductions” and “the growing importance of the Internet as a means of distribution.’
Other publicly available information shows that the treaty could establish far-reaching customs regulations over Internet traffic in the guise of anti-counterfeiting measures. Additionally, multi-national IP industry companies have publicly requested that ISPs be required to engage in filtering of their customers’ Internet communications for potentially copyright-infringing material, force mandatory disclosure of personal information about alleged copyright infringers, and adopt “Three Strikes” policies requiring ISPs to automatically terminate customers’ Internet access upon a repeat allegation of copyright infringement.
The great invention, that disseminates information better than any of the old ways of commication, might soon be just as bad as the old media. Under the guise of anti-counterfeiting and intellectual property protection the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement would give world governments far reaching control over the Internet. This will even force developing countries to adopt strict intellectual property rules that will only serve to stifle the free flow of information throughout the Internet.
Those who would control us have always hated the Internet, since there is so very little regulation of it. It shows the lie that government regulation improves civilization. Every second that the Internet exists free and open is another bit of proof that government regulation is not needed and actually harmful to the freedom and happiness of a people.
Call your representatives now and demand that they pressure the Obama administration to release the thousands of pages they have so far refused to release about this trade agreement. Once again, Obama shows he is no different than Bush by continuing to use and abuse the state secrets privilege. Keep the Internet free and open by keeping the government out.
