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The European open internet is under imminent threat
Source:
http://blackouteurope.eu/
URGENT
- VOTING IN EU PARLIAMENT 5th of MAY 2009
Don't
let the EU parliament lock up the Internet! There will be no way back!
Act
now!
Internet
access is not conditional
Everyone
who owns a website has an interest in defending the free use of
Internet... so has everyone who uses Google or Skype... everyone who
expresses their opinions freely, does research of any kind, whether for
personal health problems or academic study ... everyone who shops
online...who dates online...socialises online... listens to
music...watches video...
Millions
of Europeans now depend on the Internet, directly or indirectly, for
their livelihood. Taking it away, chopping it up, ‘restricting it',
‘limiting it' and placing conditions on our use of it, will have a
direct impact on people's earnings. And in the current financial
climate, that can't be good.
The
internet as we know it is at risk because of proposed new EU rules
going through end of April. Under the proposed new rules, broadband
providers will be legally able to limit the number of websites you can
look at, and to tell you whether or not you are allowed to use
particular services. It will be dressed up as ‘new consumer options'
which people can choose from. People will be offered TV-like packages -
with a limited number of options for you to access.
It
means that the Internet will be packaged up and your ability to access
and to put up content could be severely restricted. It will create
boxes of Internet accessibility, which don't fit with the way we use it
today. This is because internet is now permitting exchanges between
persons which cannot be controlled or "facilitated" by any middlemen
(the state or a corporation) and this possibility improves the
citizen's life but force the industry to lose power and control. that's
why they are pushing governments to act those changes.
The
excuse is to control the flow of music, films and entertainment content
against the alleged piracy by downloading for free, using P2P
file-sharing. However, the real victims of this plan will be all
Internet users and the democratic and independent access to
information, culture goods.
Think
about how you use the Internet! What would it mean to you if free
access to the Internet was taken away?
These
days, the Internet is about life and freedom. It's about shopping,
booking theatre tickets ... holidays, learning, job-seeking, banking,
and trade. It's also about the fun things - dating, chatting,
invitations, music, entertainment, joking and even a Second Life. It is
a tool to express ourselves, to collaborate, innovate, share, stimulate
new business ideas, reach new markets - thrive without middlemen..
Just
think - what's your web address? Unless people have that address in
their "package" of regular websites - they won't be able to find you.
That means they can't buy, or book, or register, or even view you
online. Your business won't be able to find niche suppliers of goods -
and compare prices. If you get any money at all from advertising on
your site, it will diminish. Yes, Amazon and a select few will be OK,
they will be the included in the package. But your advertising on
Google or any other website, will be increasingly worthless. Skype
could be blocked. (As it is in Germany in the use from iPhone,
already). Small businesses could literally disappear, especially
specialist, niche or artisan businesses.
If
we don't do something now - we could lose free and open use of the
internet. Our freedom (of choice in information, market, culture,
pleasure) will be curtailed. The EU proposals hold an enormous risk for
our future. They are about to become Law - and will be virtually
impossible to reverse. People (even the members of the European
Parliament who are voting on it) don't really seem to understand the
full implications and the legal changes are wrapped up in something
called "Telecoms Package" which lulls people into thinking it is just
about industry.
However,
in reality, hiding from public view, the amendments are about the way
the Internet will operate in future! Text that expresses your rights to
access and distribute content, services and applications, is being
crossed out. And the text that is being brought in, says that broadband
providers must inform you of any limitations, or restrictions to your
broadband service. Alternative versions use the word ‘conditions' - and
it is seriously being proposed that you will be told the conditions of
use of Internet services. This is made to sound good - it is dressed up
as ‘transparency' - except that of course it means that the broadband
provider will have the legal right restrict your access or impose
conditions,otherwise why would they need tell you? If the Telecoms
Package amendmentsare voted in, the changes will not be reversible.
We
all have a stake in the Internet! You need to act now to save it!
What
can you do about it?
Tell
the European Parliament to vote against conditional access to the
Internet! Remind them that they need your vote in June and that
internet still give us the tools to be watching and judging what they
are doing! (link a la quadrature du net) You must know you are not
alone: hundreds of organisations are working on that and thousands of
people have already contact their parliamentarians about this issue.
So,
act now:
1
- Email, write to or phone your MEP - follow this link to get
theirdetails - a suggested template letter is attached. You can also
use the following software that send the letter directly to all the
parliamentarians. Believe, they will really receive it and they will
really feel the pressure. You are welcome to personalize the letter and
include information that will make MEPs wake up, take note and take
appropriate action.
2
- Forward this email to everyone you know so that they can take action.
3
- Syndicate this page so that you keep been informed: disinformation is
what they count on, we must be aware. Text for people to cut and paste
to MEP: The coalition version needs to have instructions for people
from each country. coalition members need to get a translated version
online in their own languages and link to the LQ site for their own
MEPs.
This
is suggested letter / email to send to your MEP. Personalise this email
to include your own Internet use in your personal and business life.
Change the sentence in red to personalise the email and tell the MEP
how you individually use the Internet or just take it off.
Letter to MEPs
This is suggested letter / email to send to your MEP.
Personalise this email to include your own Internet use in your
personal and business life. Change the sentence in red to
personalise the email and tell the MEP how you individually use the
Internet or just take it off.
Dear [MEP]
I’d like to draw your attention to the Telecoms Package which I believe
will be voted on by the European Parliament committees at the end of
March and again on 21 April by all MEPs.
I have serious concerns that the changes that the European
Parliament is proposing will adversely affect business in the
European Union.
I understand that the European Parliament is proposing to include
changes to the law which will affect my access to the Internet, and
which may limit, restrict or place conditions on my ability to access
websites and services.
I use the Internet every to work, shop,
socialise, bank, research, listen to music, enjoy cultural activities,
talk to friends and family, order tickets, choose my holidays,
pursue my interests and hobbies...and much more.
The changes in the law that the European Parliament is proposing
will permit my broadband provider to offer me a limited, restricted or
conditional service. My concern is that such changes will kill the life
of the Internet as we know it, and could have serious, detrimental
economic impact on Europe’s economy.
I am writing to ask you, as my representative in the European
Parliament, to vote to protect our right to trade and do business using
the Internet.
As we live in a democratic society, we need to openly debate these
issues and establish the principles for the Internet as society.
Please support amendments which safeguard my rights to access and
distribute content, services and applications and reject any text which
talks about ‘lawful content’ or about placing limitations, restrictions
or conditions on my Internet access. In particular, I would like you to
guarantee my rights to freely use the Internet, and ensure that all
websites and services are accessible to all users.
Yours sincerely ,
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