[p2p-research] Fwd: [opennetcoalition] Gallo report on future EU copyright: No compromise on our Freedoms!

[Michel Bauwens]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: La Quadrature du Net <jz at laquadrature.net>
Date: Mon, May 31, 2010 at 3:31 PM
Subject: [opennetcoalition] Gallo report on future EU copyright: No
compromise on our Freedoms!
To: opennetcoalition at laquadrature.net


La Quadrature du Net - For immediate release

Permanent link:
http://www.laquadrature.net/en/gallo-report-on-future-eu-copyright-no-compromise-on-our-freedoms


Gallo report on future EU copyright: No compromise on our Freedoms!



*** Brussels, May 30th 2010 - A few hours before the vote on the Gallo
report regarding the future of EU copyright, the rapporteur, French
sarkozyst Marielle Gallo, has tried to lead her colleagues into voting fake
compromise amendments [1]. Mrs Gallo tries to hide the clash between two
very conflicting positions: on one hand, the rapporteur's ultra-repressive
logic against online filesharing - including the encouragement of the ACTA
agreement and of private copyright police - and on the other hand, the
understanding that a successful creative economy will be built with Internet
users and not against them. It's up to us, citizens, to help the members of
the JURI committee to make the right decision by protecting fundamental
freedoms and the public interest. ***


The vote of the amendments tabled on Marielle Gallo's draft initiative
report on "enhancing the enforcement of Intellectual property rights" [2]
will take place in the JURI committee of the European Parliament on Tuesday,
June 1st, around 12h30. This non-legislative text is an important political
statement from the European Parliament that will have an impact on the
future of copyright policy in the EU.

French rapporteur Marielle Gallo, from Nicolas Sarkozy's conservative party,
presented so far an ultra-repressive text. The draft report encourages the
ACTA agreement, new criminal sanctions and the creation of private copyright
police [3], similar to the "three strikes" scheme of the French HADOPI or
the British Digital Economy Bill. This blind repression, based on an archaic
conception of copyright, is bound to harm fundamental freedoms, including
freedom of communication, the right to a fair trial and privacy.

On the other hand, good amendments [4] call for introducing flexibilities so
that our legal framework can evolve in accordance with new technology and
widespread social practices, thus funding authors and artists while
preserving the principle of proportionality and the rule of law.

The rapporteur Gallo now tries to trick her colleagues into believing that
her own amendments, that were once rejected by the representatives of
various political groups, are the fruit of a compromise. These "fake
compromise amendments" should be rejected to ensure that a proper debate
will take place and that constructive amendments will be adopted [5].

"Marielle Gallo's fake compromise amendments seek to dismiss an open debate
on the need to adapt copyright to the digital era while defending
fundamental freedoms. Her behaviour shows little consideration for her
colleagues in the JURI committee of the European Parliament. Every citizen
who values the Internet and is concerned with the protection of fundamental
freedoms should contact JURI Members to ensure they are properly informed on
the stakes of this vote." concludes Jérémie Zimmermann, spokesperson for La
Quadrature du Net, while renewing the citizen advocacy group's call to
contact Members of the JURI committee before tuesday, Jun 1st, 12:30.


* Références *

1. These amendments actually are not the object of a compromise and reject
the most important points in the proposals of several shadow rapporteurs
(members representing the political groups, negociating together compromise
amendments)

2. Draft report on enhancing the enforcement of intellectual property rights
in the internal market:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE438.164

3. Encouragement of private copyright police is subtly described as
"non-legislative measures" and "cooperation with the private sector"

4. Complete list of amendments including La Quadrature's voting
recommendations: http://www.laquadrature.net/wiki/Rapport_Gallo_Amendments

5. La Quadrature du Net's full voting recommendation can be found at
http://www.laquadrature.net/files/20100531_Voting_Recommendation_Gallo.pdf


** 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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