[ Date Index ] [ Thread Index ] [ <= Previous by date / thread ] [ Next by date / thread => ]
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 John Hansen wrote: > On 14/03/2010 18:40, dandart@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote: >> 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 >> > >> > 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 >> > >> > Fsuk-manchester@xxxxxxxxxx >> > >> > http://lists.nongnu.org/mailman/listinfo/fsuk-manchester >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > -- >> > >> > The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG >> > >> > http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list >> > >> > FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html >> > > Hi, > > I frankly do not understand what all this is about and can certainly not > approach > Dan Rogerson MP for North Cornwall on the basis of this missive. > > I am happy to write to him if I understand the problem or if I see a > draft letter. > > Can someone please perhaps make this matter clearer for me. > > John W > I agree, i need help drafting letters to send to Mp's etc, so the facts / concerns are set out clearly. Paul - -- Paul Sutton www.zleap.net Ubuntu 9.10 is out : Visit www.ubuntu.com for details DCGLUG MEETINGS - Details on www.dcglug.org.uk/drupal6, - please click on Group meetings link on right hand side Aged 11 - 19 then dfey may be for you, please goto http://www.dfey.org for more details -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.9 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iEYEARECAAYFAkueJpcACgkQaggq1k2FJq3m1wCbBN3bSv/+/dP9zCnArgQ0QG6P HmkAnjcYbgcrG1ajWVF77Q8tfRqYwWM1 =pwxi -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html