Filed under: Internet, News, Podcasting
Broadcast treaty could (still) kill podcasts
We thought the provisions in the WIPO broadcast treaty which would add a layer of intellectual property rights were kaput, over, dead-as-a-doornail. Wrong. In May a new version of the treaty was introduced and, contrary to widespread belief about the changes which had been planned, language still exists in the WIPO treat which -- if passed -- would create a brave new world of copyright madness. As currently written, the treaty would remove fair use rights on things like excerpts of television and radio broadcasts for the purpose of explanation, examination or critical commentary; something even the DMCA hasn't torn asunder.
Also at stake is your PC, the all purpose content creation device in front of which you currently sit. Signatory countries -- which include the "G8" -- would be required to enact legal protections for content which could easily mean that your PC's feature list falls squarely under the control of government, rather than innovative developers. This part of the treaty would stifle new technology in distribution and throw a giant wet blanket on indie content producers.
Sign this online petition and help play a small part in making sure your PC's future remains free.
After spending the better part of an hour on 