Apologies of the most sincere kind to New Zealand

[Masterclown]

I don't know how much of a "threat" NZ is to copyright infringement, or if there is a comparatively large market there that the MPAA/RIAA wants to steadfastly protect. But anyway, your three strikes law (regarding copyright) was evidently a product of US interests. Not surprising, really; the ability to plant and purchase representation both here and abroad is a skill long honed by industry stalwarts.

http://www.zeropaid.com/news/93326/n...-us-wikileaks/

I'll tell you I'm personally sorry and offer to rail against my elected officials, but beyond that I don't know what else to do.

[bluz74]

You should apologize to me because that web page is blocked!

[eram]

I copied and will paste all their posts!

[SeanHraefn]

Living in Canada, I am all too used to US interests having a noticeable effect on my government.

I nearly guarantee pot would be legal in Canada if not for US pressure.

[MADDOGGE]

Hah! If you think that's bad try living under their oppressive rule for 150 years like we in the South have had to do. Our Federal government is pure evil. All of it.

[Masterclown]

Originally Posted by bluz74

You should apologize to me because that web page is blocked!

Really? Why?

Just curious which categories a given site falls under such that the firewalls block it.

Originally Posted by MADDOGGE

Hah! If you think that's bad try living under their oppressive rule for 150 years like we in the South have had to do. Our Federal government is pure evil. All of it.

Still haven't gotten over the burning of Atlanta, eh?

[cegrogan]

Originally Posted by MADDOGGE

Hah! If you think that's bad try living under their oppressive rule for 150 years like we in the South have had to do. Our Federal government is pure evil. All of it.

Jackson, MS here. Rise again

[Parliamentarian]

They're not even US interests.

They're in the interests of Big Business :/

Those businesses just happen to be in the US.

[monkeedude1212]

Originally Posted by Parliamentarian

They're not even US interests.

They're in the interests of Big Business :/

Those businesses just happen to be in the US.

Essentially a corporation based in the US provides benefits to the US - most of it's employees will be here, so any money they make will be given to US Citizens, who then spend it in the US economy.

So, it might not be like, a targetted goal of the US Government, but they can sure be happy about it. It IS in their interests.

[FreemanForPrez]

Originally Posted by MADDOGGE

Hah! If you think that's bad try living under their oppressive rule for 150 years like we in the South have had to do. Our Federal government is pure evil. All of it.

It's not just limited to the South. The US Federal Government is an Equal Opportunity Oppressor these days.

I feel bad for New Zealand, sure. They seem to be accomplishing things there many of our own US politicians can only dream about and drool over. For now.

But I also feel bad for us in the US. At least other 1st world countries don't have a federal government actively doing its best to destroy their own country's economy.

[Snorkel]

It's not like we're even much of a threat to piracy, we have crappy low monthly data caps, nobody in New Zealand will be seeding any torrents that's for sure.

We also don't have a significant...what do you call it, a pay-for-pirated-goods market. Every now and then someone will import some pirated DVDs from Hong Kong, put them on trademe, and then they get in trouble pretty sharply, and that's about it. Someone visited from Canada and was telling us about the huge amount of commercial piracy where he lived...we got nothing like that. We're absolutely not a threat.

Oh and we're in DVD Region 4, so, even more not a threat to international piracy scene, we had to wait for years to get some of the movies that were out in regions 1 or 2, some we're still waiting for. Thankfully, we're less screwed than we were because the only DVD players for sale in stores now are multi-region, so we're OK to just buy from amazon.com or amazon.co.uk if the DVD we want isn't released in our region.

But the US government won't understand that. I wish they'd stop putting their nose into other people's business though. Apparently they've been putting pressure on our government, on behalf of US medicinal drug manufacturers, to widen the range of medicinal drugs that are supported in the country. :| Yay capitalism :|

My opinion of the currently in power political party in my own country has also dropped somewhat as a result of this. Except, even the opposition agreed, only the Green party stood up and said "this ♥♥♥♥ ain't right".

At least they've clarified now that if you do get three strikes you'll actually get a hearing at some tribunal, you don't just get your internet cut off without having the chance to say "but I didn't download that, what's an unsecured wireless network?"

Also they just announced that copyright holders will have to pay $25NZD a pop to ISPs to make a complaint, so they won't be able to just do it willy nilly. Which is also better than what we were originally expecting.

It rolls out in September.

[Snorkel]

Most of our politicians seem to be completely clueless about the internet

http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/48...target-Nat-MPs

There was also widespread criticism of list MP Melissa Lee, who gave this flailing speech about the perils of filesharing only a day after tweeting to thank a friend for making a music compilation of Korean pop music for her listening pleasure.

[Laguna Loire]

Originally Posted by SeanHraefn

I nearly guarantee pot would be legal in Canada if not for US pressure.

Which are you, a drug dealer or a drug addict?

[Laguna Loire]

Originally Posted by FreemanForPrez

But I also feel bad for us in the US. At least other 1st world countries don't have a federal government actively doing its best to destroy their own country's economy.

Actually, Britain and other socialist countries ALWAYS try to destroy their own economies, when they take away their people's freedom.