[Melbourne-pm] Linux Australia Urges the Federal Govt. Not to Abandon Consumer and Competition Interests

[Scott Penrose]

Hey Guys

I feel this is one that effects us greatly so I hope you don't mind  
that it is not entirely perl related.

Scott

Begin forwarded message:

> From: James Purser <purserj at k-sit.com>
> Date: 13 June 2006 10:06:49 GMT+10:00
> To: press-contacts at linux.org.au
> Subject: [Announce] Linux Australia Urges the Federal Govt. Not to  
> Abandon Consumer and Competition Interests
> Reply-To: press at linux.org.au
>
> Linux Australia Urges the Federal Govt. Not to Abandon Consumer and
> Competition Interests
>
> Linux Australia, Australia's peak Free and Open Source Software
> community group, announced the launch of a petition today calling  
> on the
> federal government to resist pressure to abandon consumer and
> competition rights when drafting anti-circumvention laws.  New laws  
> are
> required under the terms of the Free Trade Agreement negotiated  
> between
> Australia and the United States.
>
> "The treaty doesn't force us to implement this like the US, where  
> these
> laws have driven litigation to suppress academic publications, prevent
> third-party printer cartridge manufacturers, and eliminate competition
> by Open Source software.  But naturally some large business interests
> are pressing for the same restrictions on legitimate access to digital
> material here." said Rusty Russell, Linux Australia's IP Policy  
> Adviser.
>
> "Consumers should continue to enjoy full use of their legitimately
> purchased digital material, whether it be playing DVDs, copying CDs  
> onto
> their iPods, using computer programs of their choice, or playing
> iTunes-bought songs on non-iPod MP3 players.  You've paid for it, you
> use it as you see fit."
>
> Con Zymaris, a director with the Open Source Industry Association,
> joined with Russell.  "Australian small businesses are world-class at
> using, deploying and building Open Source software.  We must be  
> free to
> do so without fear of lawsuits from the larger incumbents we compete
> against."
>
> Linux Australia President Jon Oxer called for a focus on consumer  
> rights
> and support.  Oxer urged all those who would be affected by the new  
> laws
> to download a copy of the petition and get as many signatures as
> possible.
>
> "If we don't push back now, Australian competition, consumer rights  
> and
> freedoms will be hamstrung as we enter the digital age."
>
> The petition and online statement can be found at
> http://linux.org.au/law.
>
> Rusty Russell can be contacted on 0417 451212.
>
> About Linux Australia
>
> Linux Australia exists to serve and promote the Australian Linux and
> Open Source community. The organisation aims to do this best by taking
> enthusiasms within the community, such as FOSS issues, projects,
> education, advocacy just to name a few, and help them flourish, to
> succeed. The lifeblood of this organisation is the people in the
> community, and Linux Australia strives to be both relevant and  
> useful to
> the community. For more details on Linux Australia visit
> http://linux.org.au
>
> About OSIA
>
> OSIA is the national industry body for Open Source within  
> Australia. We
> exist to further the cause of both Free and Open Source Software  
> (FOSS)
> in Australia and to help our members to improve their business success
> in this growing sector of the global Information and Communication
> Technology (ICT) market. For more information about OSIA please visit
> http://www.osia.net.au
> -- 
> James Purser
> Ordinary Committee Member
> Linux Australia
> http://linux.org.au

-- 
* - *  http://www.osdc.com.au - Open Source Developers Conference * - *
Scott Penrose
Anthropomorphic Personification Expert
http://search.cpan.org/search?author=SCOTT
scott at cpan.org

Dismaimer: While every attempt has been made to make sure that this  
email only contains zeros and ones, there has been no effort made to  
guarantee the quantity or the order.

Please do not send me Word or PowerPoint attachments.
See http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html

Microsoft is not the answer. It's the question. And the answer is no.


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