Re: [Fsuk-manchester] [DEB] If You Support Free Software, Talk To Your MP Now

[Iain Roberts]

I've just returned from the Lib Dem conference, where delegates (who make Lib 
Dem policy) voted almost unanimously in favour of a motion "Creativity, Freedom 
and the Internet", supported by ORG, Cory Doctorow and many Lib Dem PPCs.

It shows that, at least with the Lib Dems, grass roots activism can work.

We had a situation where two peers put forward a well-meant amendment which, 
whilst better than the original bill, clearly wasn't good enough.

Within a couple of weeks, we've sorted out party policy and got a commitment 
from Lib Dem MPs to put forward further amendments to sort out the issue in the 
Commons.

See 
http://www.libdemvoice.org/breaking-freedom-creativity-the-internet-motion-passed-overwhelmingly-18341.html
 for more info.

Iain


----- "Robert Burrell Donkin" <address@hidden> wrote:

> Now is the time to ask for a meeting with your MP and tell ask them
> whether they have really understand the treat posed by the bill and
> ask why they support the way this legislation has bypassed due
> process.
> 
> You probably don't know much about the Digital Economy Bill (DEB).
> That's because the large media lobby have used their influence to
> avoid the usual due process. There has been no public consultation
> allowed. Their Lordships cannot accept Memoranda.
> 
> GNU free software relies on copyleft licensing. The orphaned works
> provisions has been crafted by the large media groups. The phrasing
> means that all software (and most photography) is automatically
> classed as orphaned. So - for a small fee - an additional
> unconditional license can be obtained from a licensing authority. So,
> any company who doesn't like the GPL will be able to lawfully apply
> for an additional license without the copyleft provisions.
> 
> Leaked documents from the lobbyists show that they do not believe
> that
> if MPs took the time to scruntinise this bill that it would pass[1].
> The Liberal Democrats sold out their principles to the big media
> lobby
> last week[2]. This means that the last best chance to stop this bill
> has passed. It is almost certain to be passed in washup as soon as
> the
> general election is called with no substantive review.
> 
> So why bother getting involved if there's no chance of winning?
> 
> It's important to take this chance to make a stand and exhaust what
> little remains of the due political process whilst you still can
> within the law. DEB is also an enabling bill for copyright. This
> allows (on Ministerial whim) criminalisation of political speech (by
> retrospective reassignment of copyright). Once it's been passed, you
> may not even be able to express your views without the threat of a
> long goal sentence.
> 
> (Members of the Liberal Democrats should seriously reconsider whether
> they really wish to remain part of such a hypocritical party)
> 
> Robert
> 
> [1] http://www.boingboing.net/2010/03/12/leaked-uk-record-ind.html
> [2] http://www.boingboing.net/2010/03/11/leaked-documents-uk.html
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Fsuk-manchester mailing list
> address@hidden
> http://lists.nongnu.org/mailman/listinfo/fsuk-manchester