[ARSCLIST] Euro copyright term extension gets unwelcome boost

[Dick Spottswood <dick@xxxxxxxx>]

----- Forwarded by Dick Spottswood/dick/AmericanU on 07/22/2008 12:47 PM 
-----

"Sound Copyright" <info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
Sent by: "Sound Copyright" <info=soundcopyright.eu@xxxxxxxxxx>
07/22/2008 10:20 AM
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"Sound Copyright" <info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>


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Help us oppose copyright term extension






Dear Sound Copyright supporters,

Many of you will have read in the last week that, as a result of intense 
lobbying, the EU Commission disregarded the balance of evidence and 
formally accepted the proposal to extend the duration of copyright for 
sound recordings. Writing in the UK press Dave Rowntree, the drummer from 
Blur, explained why this proposal would be damaging for Europe's creators 
and consumers. He hasn't been alone in voicing his concern:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/07/17/do1707.xml


http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article4374115.ece

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080716-eu-caves-to-aging-rockers-wants-45-year-copyright-extension.html


Fortunately, the battle isn't lost. You can help us campaign for a 
rational copyright policy in four ways.


>> How you can help 1:

We need more people to show their support. Over 12,500 people have signed 
our petition, so tell your friends and help us spread the word across 
Europe so that you can be heard in Brussels: 
http://www.soundcopyright.eu/petition


>> How you can help 2:

The full texts of the proposal and the relevant impact assessment are open 
for collaborative commenting. Please help us challenge their arguments and 
point out evidence that disproves their claims.

http://www.openrightsgroup.org/consult/commission-proposal-for-term-extension-com20084643/


http://www.openrightsgroup.org/consult/term-extension-commission-impact-assessment/



>> How you can help 3:

The UK Intellectual Property Office, the government body charged with 
ensuring balance and fairness in Intellectual Property, has asked the 
public and all those with an interest to make sure their voices are heard, 
and contact the UK-IPO by the end of August. Remember, always be polite 
and considered when explaining why term extension concerns you. 

http://nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=374549&NewsAreaID=2 

You can find out which government body in your country is responsible for 
intellectual property policy here: 
http://www.wipo.int/directory/en/urls.jsp 


>> How you can help 4:

Show your support for our work by joining or donating to the Open Rights 
Group. Check out www.openrightsgroup.org/org-gro/ for more information on 
our campaigns.


Thanks again - we'll keep you updated.


The Sound Copyright Campaign 

Run by the Open Rights Group and EFF


You are on this mailing list because you signed on to the Sound Copyright 
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