D&C GLug - Home Page

[ Date Index ] [ Thread Index ] [ <= Previous by date / thread ] [ Next by date / thread => ]

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

 

On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 03:23:40PM +0000, John Hansen wrote:
> On 15/03/2010 13:31, Henry Bremridge wrote:
> Henry,
> 
> I am no wiser having read these two references. How does any of its
> provisions affect Linux users?
> I do not download music if that is the problem.
> 

John

The first link is if you want to write to your mp, as opposed to going
along to a surgery and seeing him there. Frankly I sometimes have
problems knowing who my mp is. The Write to Them site gets the email
delivered easily

The second link is a summary, albeit on wikipedia, on what the proposed
bill offers. It is short summary of how it may impact users. For example
in reading that link I could write to my MP and argue that

- I like free software: I think the bill should by default mandate use
  of it in any institution that relies on public money.

- I do not think ISPs should disclose the names of parties who could be
  guilty unless there is clear definition of what this entails. If a
  large company goes to a small ISP and says "give me this or else", how
  can the small ISP defend itself?
  
  Similarly if ISPs should divulge possible guilty parties then this
  should apply across the law. Can you imagine the chaos? If you do not
  tell the police that an MP may be claiming excessively then you can be
  prosecuted. 

- I think the rights of large corporate patent holders | copyright
  holders is getting to the point where it is counter productive to
  economic growth. There are areas where monopoly profits are acceptable
  (eg certain pharma products) but otherwise I feel they should be cut
  back. Not further protected.
 
- I think the Bill is another example of the current Government
  promulgating bad legislation because it wants to be seen to be doing
  something, as opposed promoting legislation that improves the economic
  welfare of the average consumer.

  
-- 
Henry
Photocopies or faxes of my signature are not binding. 
This email has been signed with an electronic signature in accordance with 
subsection 7(3) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000.
Digital Key Signature: GPG RSA 0xFB447AA1 
Mon Mar 15 16:22:17 GMT 2010

Attachment: signature.asc
Description: Digital 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