News: Thousands of artists against New Zealand’s guilt upon accusation laws

Adding on to the International Federation of Phonographic Industry (IFPI) claims that 95 per cent of all music downloads is illegal, thousands of artists, according to the Creative Freedom Foundation, have signed their petition against the removal of New Zealander’s rights through changes in copyright law. The foundation say that Sections 92A and 92C of the Copyright Amendment Act presume Guilt Upon Accusation. Meaning that enforcers are able to cut off internet connections and websites based on accusations of Copyright infringement, without a trial and without evidence being held to court scrutiny.

With thousands of people now speaking out against Section 92A – including artists, libraries, and the IT community – the Creative Freedom Foundation urges the government to repeal the law before it comes into effect on February 28th.

The petition can be signed by artists and the wider public at http://creativefreedom.org.nz