UK internet now controlled by American Corporations

A touch dramatic? Maybe not. According to this BBC report, the MPA has received an injunction from the high court, ruling that BT must block access to the site "newsbinz" using its "CleanFeed" system.

I don't know where to begin with this. I am actually, physically, angry about this. Does the high court really think the file sharing is the same level of problem as child porn? Because that's what the CleanFeed system was put in place to stop.

Next, the fact that the MPA is an American corporation, so this isn't even in the interests of a British company. Of all the things our high court could be dealing with, why is it dealing with an American corporate is considered worthwhile?

Of course this being a test case, it will now be a trivial matter of throwing lawyers at the problem to have other ISPs forced to block newsbinz in a similar fashion. And then, that's it, precedent set, if the MPA doesn't like a site, for the cost of some lawyers, they can have it blocked from the UK internet.

What really pisses me off about this is that its censorship. You should NEVER take down something with a valid legal purpose, just because it is also used for copyright infringement. As long as there is one valid file up there, then the ONLY correct solution is to go after the individual uploaders. Don't like it? Well, I can't shoot the CEO of a certain American collective in the face, and I don't like it, but thats just tough luck.

I'm sick and tired of legitimate resources being attacked over what is a non-issue. Are you listening big content? This is a NON-ISSUE - if you magically stopped all infringement of your content you know what would happen to your profit line? It would drop! Dramatically. I can't wait until people no longer buy CDs - once everything is digital, the Indie will be king and you will be crying into your milk.

And BT - Why are you not appealing this? Why are you not dragging this to the European Court of Human Rights? You were on the front line when it came to the DEA, why are you sitting back and taking this? Or are you all talk and no trousers?

Word cannot describe how angry I am that this idiot judge has allowed this censorship, rather than sending the MPA lawyers packing - or better yet, sticking them in the tower of London. When the revolution eventually gets off its computer chair, you sir will the first against the wall.

In Soviet Britain, MPA censor YOU!

Dear Auntie - An open letter to the BBC

In a high quality, fact checked bit of reporting, the BBC have interviewed a "downloader" regarding a recent report from the big content industry's stating that piracy is costing them 30% of their income.

Now dis-regarding the fact that this kind of report seems to get put out annually, and is generally debunked within seconds, could you please answer a few questions for me? Assuming you have done more than read the report and regurgitate it, you should be able to answer all of these.

Regarding the report
What methodology was used to gather this data?
Is this methodology valid?

Regarding the interview
You stated that downloading was both illegal and against the law - please clarify, what criminal offence do downloaders commit? Please note, non-profit copyright infringement is a civil issue, so is neither illegal, or against the law [sic]
Please name anyone who has been sent to jail in the UK for downloading
Please name anyone who has been successfully sued in the UK for downloading

Now, I'm under no illusions that anyone at the BBC is going to read my little blog post, much less respond to it, but on the off chance, I would appreciate that along side the wordy prose that justifies your report, you would actually answer the specific questions asked with specific answers.

Sincerely
BBC licence player