Attention: 3Strikes without internet bill to be voted on tomorrow in the EU parlament!
Ugh... We heard it all: France wanted to implement a rule that if you are caught downloading copyrighted material and got caught three times in a row they cancel your internet once and for all lifetime.
Now what most didnīt know is that France has sneaked this bill into the European parlament and it set to become an EU wide rule.
Whats best they are voting on it tomorrow just so we donīt have time to make a public outcry on it or might even stage demonstrations or the like.
Let me note that this is not about copyright infringment per se its about the right to use the internet. Given the less then clear copyright laws in this world its bound to happen to EVERYONE to infringe on somebodies copyright at one or three points in their life. And hey if you happen to be on this lists because you said something wrong it might be you who will be without the net for the rest of your life (or at least without your own connection).
Oh and the copyright industry doesnīt have to prove anything its a "3 accusations" and not a "3 convictions" rule! So somebody thinks your band is a threat to the pop culture and they want to inhibit you for the rest of your life they just claim three times in a row that you might have downloaded something and bingo - profit.
There is a wiki where you can find informations on how to take action to stop this bill. The page is in english and french and german and gives detailed instructions on what to do to stop this bill.
also there is a much better writup at laquadrature in english or on netzpolitik.org in german. The laquadrature wiki has now also a german translation of the summary and commentary of the bills and amendments in question.
netzpolitik.org also links to a website with a list and contact data of german MEPs called Abgeordnetenwatch.de.
There you can find the persons for your Bundesland and call them - write them - be nice tell them to read the bill in full, tell them your objections and in the end tell them that you are highly aware that they are up for reelection next year and you will have a close eye on their behavior in this regard.
If you have a blog PLEASE spread the word.. If not then call your MEPs office tomorrow latest.
You could be first - last or next affected by this bill and not have internet for the rest of your life.
Again its not about if you are infringing on some dubious copyright claim - its copyright law itself that is dubious and this law will give the government a tool to quell any dissent on the internet at will at any time without courts without truth - its a full out affront to the very foundations of a free society and with a free internet and stands against anything the internet is known for.