Free access to Internet is something we take for granted, but now it may come to an end .
At least if EU get to decide.
Freedom of expression, privacy and even access to the Internet is now threatened by the so-called telecom package. Internet could become a kind of cable-tv Internet where people get to pay for the pages they want to use, says the critics.
Telecom package can be called an update for the EU rules for competition, supervision and consumer protection in the market for telephony and Internet.
EU legislation in the telecommunications sector has become outdated, our technology has developed to fast for it to keep up.
However, it was never meant that the telecom package would contain rules applicable copyright, but it has now become part of the package.
Behind these rules is of course the industries that depend on copyright law to earn a living.
But what do the telecom package do, which Ipred does not already do?
Unlike Ipred the telecom package the implements rules that force the Internet providers the to monitor their clients Internet usage and turn off those who's considered using the Internet for criminal activity. Another proposal is whether the government should be able to block certain websites and thus restricting access on the Internet.
Should we have an Internet or such a society, where the authorities can do whatever they want without anyone to stop them. What will then happen to the freedom of expression?
This is just one step toward a surveillance society, where people can do nothing.
We will become a dictatorship!
Just look at Ipred! Half of the Swedish people are against that law, but the politicians still voted it through. Where is world is going?
It will end with the film and record companies owning our souls!
But there is still hope. Amendment 138 states that no Internet user are to be cut off from the Internet without judicial trail.
We also have the 166 amendment, which states that the limitation of Internet users access to the Internet "must not be contrary to the fundamental rights of citizens, including the right of privacy and the right to due process."
These proposals protects network users' legal and civil rights, which the film and record companies don't give a damn about.
All they care about is to earn as much money as possible regardless of whether people have to suffer both physically and mentally because of their greed.
As we all know, the artists get only small portion of the revenue that the record companies make out of record sales. In Denmark, where the Ipred law has been in use a while now, the culture creators don't get any money at all out of won court cases or demand/threat letters.
Everything goes directly to the Anti-Piracy Group and/or the companies own wallets.
Is this really right? Shouldn't those who worked hard to create a product also get paid for it? Sure the record companies should get paid for their effort, but the creators should also get paid.
Chasing pirates by the laws and regulations will only be a short-term solution. The pirates will eventually find ways to circumvent the laws and continue to file-share unhindered.
But free file-sharing is not a solution, as many pirates might think it is.
If file sharing continues to increase at the same rate, the television, film and music industries will have a major problem with the economy and the consequences of this will most likely be a shrinking number of products on the market.
We need to find a solution that works for everyone, both for the pirates, companies, artists and for the ordinary consumers. Because increased prices on film and music simply leads to fewer products being sold.
The reason I mention the problem with illegal file-sharing is that piracy is the basis for the legislative proposals now presented regarding the future of the Internet, and for that matter the future for illegal file-sharing.
It will be decided on May 5 when the EU Parliament vote on the telecoms package and on June 12 when the EU Council states its decision.
We can all hope they make the right decision. Otherwise there will be dark future for the Internet.
