EU Internet Laws, censorship and R&E...

[Rhiannon]

Is it my imagination or will this in theory prevent us from linking to news stories etc here?

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jun/20/eu-votes-for-copyright-law-that-would-make-internet-a-tool-for-control

[Nearly Sane]

It might, and obviously not just here but most media. I think it may well fall at any serious challenge because it will reduce the money going to those it seeks to protect.

[Rhiannon]

Yes, I was  talking to my daughter about this, she's very active in the fan art/fan fiction community, as is her sister, and she's very worried, but I don't see how this will be enforceable, very few stars/franchises/authors object to their fandoms producing fan work (many actively encourage it) and it will rob the net of so much. We are remainers but she said she hopes that Brexit happens now if it keeps the net from this level of control for British users. 

And I'm assuming that when we follow links on here many of the news outlets and others get revenue from advertising, which will decrease if their stuff doesn't get shared.

[Nearly Sane]

I wouldn't be surprised if any Brexit UK followed much the same path. The other question is whether we will be able to access some of the stuff to read it.



https://www.dw.com/en/new-eu-copyright-law-will-upload-filters-destroy-the-internet-as-we-know-it/a-44354310

[Rhiannon]

Yes, I told her that I thought we'd end up with similar legislation.

It's crazy. 

[Nearly Sane]

I have some sympathy with the idea. There are many authors whose books are available in their entirety in a similar fashion to early music sharing on the net, remember Napster, god it all seems so long ago. The legislation is, I think, designed to deal with similar but it looks like hit it's a blunt tool.

[Rhiannon]

Yes, the idea doesn't seem bad on the face of it, but the way that it is being proposed is terrible.

[Maeght]

Copyright on the internet certainly needs tightening in on my view. Not sure about the full implications of these proposals but support the principle.

[Harrowby Hall]

Well, it might remove the necessity  for action like this:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44691612

[Rhiannon]

And on the face of it, it will also prevent memes, links (like the one at the top of this thread and the one HH just posted), parodies, live streaming, gaming channels, review sites and channels, and if anyone tries to post footage of themselves or anyone else and a car stereo is playing in the background or someone is wearing some merch (maybe a t-shirt with an album design on it) then that will be banned too.

[Nearly Sane]

Well, it might remove the necessity  for action like this:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44691612

Not sure it would - that seems to cover a different issue.

[jeremyp]

Is it my imagination or will this in theory prevent us from linking to news stories etc here?

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jun/20/eu-votes-for-copyright-law-that-would-make-internet-a-tool-for-control

No, it'll only prevent you from quoting from them.

[Nearly Sane]

No, it'll only prevent you from quoting from them.

That's still not clear for sites that don't have complex filters. And it isn't clear what quoting from means.

[jeremyp]

said she hopes that Brexit happens now if it keeps the net from this level of control for British users. 

Except, of course that May wants far tighter controls on the Internet than this.

[jeremyp]

That's still not clear for sites that don't have complex filters.

How is a complex filter defined?

[Nearly Sane]

How is a complex filter defined?

You tell me. Already posted the link further down about that question. The legislation is not specific on the demand.

[jeremyp]

You tell me.

I wouldn't have asked the question if I knew.

The problem is that they will probably be so vaguely defined that it will allow copyright holders to target anybody they like.

[Nearly Sane]

I wouldn't have asked the question if I knew.

The problem is that they will probably be so vaguely defined that it will allow copyright holders to target anybody they like.

So if we both don't know isn't that a worry about what people might think it means?

[Nearly Sane]

Looking at the articles in the legislation, it reads as if the rather basic functionality on here would work in our favour. Avatars would be the issue.

[Harrowby Hall]

It appears that this proposal has been voted down.

[Rhiannon]

Thanks for that, HH, I had to google to find the story (the irony) but it's not gone, it's just been referred for further discussion and scrutiny. This is still a highly unusual outcome though, as I understand it legislation usually just gets nodded through at this stage.

[Udayana]

A vote on the amended proposal now gives support:

European Parliament gives thumbs up to controversial copyright reforms

[Rhiannon]

This is the kind of shit that led to Brexit.

[jeremyp]

This is the kind of shit that led to Brexit.

I would say most of the shit that led to Brexit was completely made up, but this is a very real massive steaming turd.

On the plus side, it will be completely unenforceable.

[Nearly Sane]

I would say most of the shit that led to Brexit was completely made up, but this is a very real massive steaming turd.

On the plus side, it will be completely unenforceable.

I'm wary about the idea of it being completely unenforceable. Laws can change behaviour even without enforcement, and to take an example, we're it to be passed, and subject to whatever situation Brexit leaves us with as regards EU law, then I think we might well be careful on here about what we allow. I also suspect that while it will be difficult to enforce, it won't be impossible and a couple of successful  test cases could greatly affect her behaviour.