[p2p-research] Fwd: [opennetcoalition] Digital Agenda: Caution required for the future EU Net policies

[Michel Bauwens]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: La Quadrature du Net <jz at laquadrature.net>
Date: Wed, May 19, 2010 at 5:39 PM
Subject: [opennetcoalition] Digital Agenda: Caution required for the future
EU Net policies
To: opennetcoalition at laquadrature.net


La Quadrature du Net - For immediate release

Permanent link:
http://www.laquadrature.net/en/digital-agenda-caution-required-for-the-future-eu-net-policies-press-release


Digital Agenda: Caution required for the future EU Net policies



*** Strasbourg, May 19, 2010 -- Today, with the release of Neelie Kroes'
Digital Agenda, the European Commission is unveiling major policy
orientations regarding Internet-related policies. Several leaked drafts of
the document revealed heavy pressures from various special interest groups.
While the general outcome of the final document is encouraging, the crucial
question of interoperability and open standards was eventually arbitrated in
favour of US software vendors' positions. On IPR enforcement and cybercrime,
the worst has been avoided but some very ambiguous wording remains. ***



 * Creative Content: After years of the blatant conservatism of rights
holders, The Digital Agenda makes the first steps [1]. This is a first timid
step, but it might pave the way to a reasonable and balanced evolution of
copyright in the EU if it leads to a truly open debate on the question, and
creates the conditions for a possible policy-shift.

 * Cybercrime: A final addition of very ambiguous language illustrates
pressure from Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström to include wording
supporting Internet blocking and filtering in the Digital Agenda [2]. The
language could lead to dangerous interpretations. While removing
pedopornographic content from the Internet is the only way to effectively
fight child abuse worldwide, "preventing viewing" could refer to
network-wide blocking of websites or only to filters installed and
controlled by end-users.

 * Net neutrality: While announcing a consultation on the matter over the
summer, a report to the Parliament by the end of the year, the Digital
Agenda acknowledges the importance of Net neutrality for freedom of
expression..

 * Interoperability: The deletion in the Digital Agenda of references to
open standards [3] is a clear defeat for innovation and competition on the
Internet. It seems to be a clear indication of the dangerous influence of
the lobbies of proprietary software manufacturers on the Commission.

"The whole Digital Agenda is the partly equivocal result of ongoing tensions
within the Commission, but it also reveals intense pressure coming from
corporate lobbies. While parts of the agenda are somehow disappointing for
open standards and Free Software users, the proposals are quite encouraging
overall. That said, the Digital Agenda is not binding for the future of EU
legislation. It should be an invitation for every citizen to ensure that
this constructive document turns into a continued commitment to the public
interest. We congratulate Mrs Kroes and hope that she will be able to stand
strong against special interests in order to pave the way for a true
knowledge society, respectful of people's fundamental freedoms", says
Jérémie Zimmermann, spokesperson for citizen-advocacy group La Quadrature du
Net.

A more detailed analysis of the Digital Agenda is available at
http://www.laquadrature.net/en/digital-agenda-caution-required-for-the-future-eu-net-policies


* Références *

1. The document states some interesting objectives for reforming the
collective management of copyright in order to mitigate the control of
entertainment companies on the circulation of cultural works and better
recognizes user prerogratives. How much these objectives are actually
translated into a better balance remains to be assessed at the time of
implementation.The Commission is also aware of the need to move ahead to
ensure that out-of-prints and orphan works will be available to European
Internet users

2. "(...) to tackle sexual exploitation and child pornography, alert
platforms can be put in place at national and EU levels, alongside measures
to remove and prevent viewing of harmful content"

3. The IDABC European Programme previously adopted an internationally
endorsed demanding definition of open standards




** About la Quadrature du Net **


La Quadrature du Net is an advocacy group that promotes the rights and
freedoms of citizens on the Internet. More specifically, it advocates for
the adaptation of French and European legislations to respect the founding
principles of the Internet, most notably the free circulation of knowledge.

In addition to its advocacy work, the group also aims to foster a better
understanding of legislative processes among citizens. Through specific and
pertinent information and tools, La Quadrature du Net hopes to encourage
citizens' participation in the public debate on rights and freedoms in the
digital age.

La Quadrature du Net is supported by French, European and international NGOs
including the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Open Society Institute and
Privacy International.

List of supporting organisations :
http://www.laquadrature.net/en/they-support-squaring-net-la-quadrature-du-net


** Press contact and press room **

Jérémie Zimmermann, jz at laquadrature.net, +33 (0)615 940 675

http://www.laquadrature.net/en/press-room



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