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Re: [LUG] If You Support Free Software, Talk To Your MP Now

 

Seriously? A law in the UK makes it possible to contravene software licenses? That's not on.

On , Rob Beard <rob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Hi folks,
>
>
>
> This was recently posted on the Free Software Manchester list and I thought it might be of interest to the LUG.
>
>
>
> Rob
>
>
>
> 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
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> 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
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> means that all software (and most photography) is automatically
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> classed as orphaned. So - for a small fee - an additional
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> unconditional license can be obtained from a licensing authority. So,
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> any company who doesn't like the GPL will be able to lawfully apply
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> for an additional license without the copyleft provisions.
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>
>
> Leaked documents from the lobbyists show that they do not believe that
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> if MPs took the time to scruntinise this bill that it would pass[1].
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> The Liberal Democrats sold out their principles to the big media lobby
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> last week[2]. This means that the last best chance to stop this bill
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> has passed. It is almost certain to be passed in washup as soon as the
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> general election is called with no substantive review.
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>
>
> So why bother getting involved if there's no chance of winning?
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>
>
> It's important to take this chance to make a stand and exhaust what
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> little remains of the due political process whilst you still can
>
> within the law. DEB is also an enabling bill for copyright. This
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> allows (on Ministerial whim) criminalisation of political speech (by
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> retrospective reassignment of copyright). Once it's been passed, you
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> may not even be able to express your views without the threat of a
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> long goal sentence.
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>
>
> (Members of the Liberal Democrats should seriously reconsider whether
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> they really wish to remain part of such a hypocritical party)
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>
>
> Robert
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>
>
> [1] http://www.boingboing.net/2010/03/12/leaked-uk-record-ind.html
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> [2] http://www.boingboing.net/2010/03/11/leaked-documents-uk.html
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>
>
>
>
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