A few months ago I started this blog entry and then left it sit because I was so angry about what the potential outcome could mean to the ISP industry.  Today I read this article on Wired that give me some hope that the world isn’t about to end for ISPs so I decided to revisit this entry and see if it still makes sense. Let’s see…

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We live in a society that has mostly agreed on what is right and what is wrong.  We have coined the term, Common Values in order to build communities where we can agree on what is acceptable behaviour.  To enforce our safe communal living, we turned these common values into laws.  As a society, we have set up governments to enforce the laws (common values) and protect us from those who would harm us.

As members of society, I think we’re all in agreement that theft is a bad thing.  No matter what country you are from, it’s pretty much a given that stealing is frowned upon.  It’s a pretty common value, maybe even sacrosanct.

As an individual living in a society with common values, government is the enforcer of the laws and government prosecutes suspected thefts.  What is interesting is that if an individual is convicted of theft, they receive a punishment based on the severity of the crime, and that punishment is roughly agreed upon by the COMMUNITY.  As a defendant, you have rights of due process and would be able to defend yourself according to the law of the land.  Further, in this country a defendant is protected from the Government, as the Government must also follow the law of the land.

Let’s flip it around.  As a society, we have agreed that if you are the victim of a crime, you will take your grievance to the government and file a claim in court.  As a plaintiff, you also are protected by the laws of the land and due process.  This is how even a single individual can take on a corporation and win.  There is DUE PROCESS for each side, Plaintiff and Defendant that as a society, we have all agreed upon using.

The process of using the governmental courts to settle disputes is what our society has agreed upon for longer than I know without Googling it.   If you feel like an individual or a corporation or even the government has wronged you, you must take your claim to court.

So why are corporations looking to ISP’s to become the enforcers of copyright law? The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement is being manipulated into a Copyright enforcement act.  But isn’t the enforcement of violated law the job of Government?

If you feel your copyright has been violated, file a claim in court!

There is a push for ISP’s to become the monitor, the snitch, and the enforcer.  That’s not what we’re good at.  I hate to say this, but isn’t that the job of Government?

Lions and tigers and bears!  Oh My!

This is my 4th post to this blog and I am seeing a recurring theme.  I feel like the future of the Internet is at stake.  I don’t know what the outcome of this treaty will be, but I’m hoping that some smart people start looking at this issue RIGHT AWAY and make sure EVERYONE is required to follow due process.

Peace.

-Bil