US Funds IP Enforcement, Offers to Draft Legislation in New Zealand

If you take the time to read the recently passed legislation in NZ, it's big media's wet dream. Presumption of guilt: check. Bypassing of due process: check (fucking kangaroo court tribunals). Three strikes and termination of Internet access: check. Passed via "emergency" Christchurch earthquake session. The whole thing stinks of Washington arm twisting.

Wait, in the US, we have a "budget crisis" that's letting us seriously contemplate de-funding virtually all social programs, we're in 2.5 wars, and we've got money and time to waste on "intellectual property" and diplomatic arm-twisting?<p>What a load. Something's fishy.

And people wonder why as an Australian I take such an interest in the US political system. As an added bonus it makes me feel better about the sorry state of our system. One case where the grass isn't greener.

Is there anyone on our side? Looking at the Canadian elections currently, I'm not sure there is a single party that wouldn't pass a C-32 or NZ like bill. It's sad. The 301 list is such a joke it's not even funny. I think Canada should raise taxes on oil exports to the US to replace the money we already give the big media and friends (for example: per Blank Disc,Hard drive, iPod tax should be paid by the US because it all goes to them anyway.)

They're not making a very good argument against unethical copying by trying to do others' homework for them.<p>Now really, what kind of message does that send?!

A similar legislation was also passed in Malaysia not too far back. I would not be surprised if the same situation occurred there as well. However, enforcement would be another matter.