Off-topic but a matter of public interest

[Kevin Daly]

I tried to black out my avatar (but I screwed it up...must be tired) as part of a protest against the absurd new law in NZ which allows for users to be permanently disconnected from the internet on the mere accusation of copyright infringement: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/juha/6247.

By this act our politicians demonstrate their utter contempt of fundamental legal principles in obscene eagerness to do whatever their corporate masters ask of them.

The might as well hang a red light outside Parliament (so that's the reason they decriminalised prostitution...)

 

[Stillborn]

I still see your avatar.

 

[Kevin Daly]

I still see your avatar.

Well-spotted.
Yes, I tried but failed.
Apparently even simple tasks are now beyond me.

 

[Stillborn]

Well-spotted.
Yes, I tried but failed.
Apparently even simple tasks are now beyond me.

So, could you get in trouble for your avatar, or would it be under the Paracast's responsibility I wonder. Your avatar is from Space Invaders I guess?

Well hopefully NZ won't start blocking sites like some countries. I think China does it. Think Youtube is banned there. Or some Asian country. My geography sucks. I've heard people in some online games I play complain about really bad censorship. That would be a nightmare for me if the US ever starts filtering out the net. I get so much entertainment from it.

If you are wanting to get rid of your avatar still, I might be able to walk you through it. I'll have to relook at the control panel though. I think there is just a box to check or uncheck though. Click, delete or save. Something like that.

 

[Tommy Allison]

There is something called Fair Use.

Now, you're not profiting from the use of that avatar, so therefore you are not infringing on anyone's copyright, or preventing them from making money.

Then there's the fact that it might look like Space Invaders, but there's enough distortion in the image to where it looks like a space monster, a space alien, or a green koala bear.

I wouldn't be concerned over this. If you have legislation that passed that says you can't use an avatar, then you've got a tyrannical government.

It's called Fair Use. I would know, I deal in copyrights and trademarks more often than I'd like, and when someone steals my work and uses it to pad their portfolios, or to use in publications, that IS copyright infringement. If you need a graphic for an avatar, and if I have something cool you want to use, ask me, and I'll let you.

Take Care.

 

[thefoundryman]

The answer to 99 out of 100 questions is money.
Oh, when did NZ become communist?
Is this a case of gestapo-police-state bullshit?

 

[Stillborn]

There is something called Fair Use.

Now, you're not profiting from the use of that avatar, so therefore you are not infringing on anyone's copyright, or preventing them from making money.

Then there's the fact that it might look like Space Invaders, but there's enough distortion in the image to where it looks like a space monster, a space alien, or a green koala bear.

I wouldn't be concerned over this. If you have legislation that passed that says you can't use an avatar, then you've got a tyrannical government.

It's called Fair Use. I would know, I deal in copyrights and trademarks more often than I'd like, and when someone steals my work and uses it to pad their portfolios, or to use in publications, that IS copyright infringement. If you need a graphic for an avatar, and if I have something cool you want to use, ask me, and I'll let you.

Take Care.

Are copyright laws universal, or do they vary from country to country? Wondering if NZ's copyright laws are the same as found in the US.

 

[Gareth]

Guys, Kevin isnt worried about his avatar. He wanted to black it out as a protest.

 

[Tommy Allison]

Are copyright laws universal, or do they vary from country to country? Wondering if NZ's copyright laws are the same as found in the US.

The UK, Australia, and NZ all respect American Copyright Law. They're the only countries that do, because we do a lot of business with them. He has nothing to worry about, especially since his avatar only makes a passing resemblance to the space invaders characters.

 

[Stillborn]

The UK, Australia, and NZ all respect American Copyright Law. They're the only countries that do, because we do a lot of business with them. He has nothing to worry about, especially since his avatar only makes a passing resemblance to the space invaders characters.

K. I didn't know NZ followed the same rules. I never looked into it.

 

[Schuyler]

'respect American copyright' and 'have the same rules' are two different things. I would be completely suprised if NZ had exactly the same laws on the books. I may be misreading this, but my impression is the OP is not worried about his avatar violating copyright as much as he is protesting NZ copyright law. It's like wearing a black armband in solidarity with {insert your favorite cause here} to raise consciousness on the issue.

In other words, we may accidentally be on topic, but not without trying not to be!

 

[Tommy Allison]

'respect American copyright' and 'have the same rules' are two different things. I would be completely suprised if NZ had exactly the same laws on the books. I may be misreading this, but my impression is the OP is not worried about his avatar violating copyright as much as he is protesting NZ copyright law. It's like wearing a black armband in solidarity with {insert your favorite cause here} to raise consciousness on the issue.

In other words, we may accidentally be on topic, but not without trying not to be!

AH... I completely understand. It's insane that NZ would enact such laws in order to deny people their ability to peruse the internet.

Then again, there is legislation that was just passed as part of our so called Stimulus Bill, that is going to require everyone in the US to have a digital identity that can be tracked, and monitored. It's for the children and for the safety of all they say.

The world is headed down the totalitarian road because the Baby Boomer generation has issues with being in total control. They singlehandedly have destroyed freedom in their lifetimes.

 

[mike]

There is no such thing as Freedom.....never has been

if your lucky, you get to choose your chains.........