[LINK] Is 'Fair Use' in Peril?

[jeff.evans at iird.vic.gov.au]

While I realise Australian copyright laws don't mirror the USA'a "fair use"
provisions, this article seems to show that our soon-to-be free trade
buddies in the north may be changing their own rule book ... and presumably
our own may follow?

   Is 'Fair Use' in Peril?  by Eric Hellweg Technology Review  November 19,
   2004

   Do you like fast-forwarding through commercials on a television program
   you've recorded? How much do you like it? Enough to go to jail if you're
   caught doing it? If a new copyright and intellectual property omnibus
   bill sitting on Congress's desk passes, that may be the choice you'll
   face.

and later
   ... Here's more of what's included: a provision that would make it a
   felony to record a movie in a theater for future distribution on a
   peer-to-peer network. IPPA would also criminalize the currently legal
   act of using the sharing capacity of iTunes, Apple's popular music
   software program; the legislation equates that act with the
   indiscriminate file sharing on popular peer-to-peer programs. Currently,
   with iTunes, users can opt to share a playlist with others on their
   network. IPPA doesn't differentiate this innocuous?and Apple
   sanctioned?act from the promiscuous sharing that happens when someone
   makes a music collection available to five million strangers on Kazaa or
   Grokster.

   http://www.technologyreview.com/articles/04/11/wo_hellweg111904.asp?p=0


Regards

Jeff Evans
Manager, Business Channel
Department of Innovation, Industry & Regional Development (DIIRD)
Victoria, Australia
Ph 03 9651 9590 Fax 03 9651 9725
Email jeff.evans at iird.vic.gov.au
http://www.business.channel.vic.gov.au
http://www.business.vic.gov.au
http://www.export.vic.gov.au
http://www.ecommerce.vic.gov.au



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