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LifestreamBBC: EU backs tighter rules on piracy.
I see some people don’t know when to back off. If it’s a war they want, they will have one on their hands before they know it.
The law was drawn up to target professional pirates, criminals and counterfeiters who make copies of goods such as football shirts or CDs.
The directive allows companies to raid homes, seize property and ask courts to freeze bank accounts to protect trademarks or intellectual property they believe are being abused or stolen.
Lobbyists fear that the law could threaten press freedom in countries, such as Spain, which include confidential information in definitions of intellectual property.
Ironically, the directive was originally introduced by a member of European Parliament Janelly Fourtou, the wife of Jean-Rene Fourtou, director of media giant Vivendi Universal (owner of world’s largest record label Universal Music).
Fortunately, there are grey areas …
But it is all up to the judicial system of the individual country. And even though courts and police are clogged up with work as it is, I am sure they will drop whatever they’re doing and rush to assist in quelling some “real” crime. Hey, who cares about assault, rape or murder when you can arrest people for violating the copyright directive …
Sweden is one ass-kissing lot of wussies who wouldn’t dream of being out-of-line with the EU Parliament on this one. So I’m sure they will be good children and obey it to the letter. But of course I hope they will see reason even if these are not very reasonable times.
In the end I fear that hope will not be enough. In order to protect our freedom we will have to fight for it. No less will do. And we are legio. It shames me that I am starting to sound like the average militant activist, but I guess every man has his limits. And mine is about to be crossed.
