Danny's written a great analysis of thw way that the European DMCA (AKA the EUCD) will become the law in England. The English are implementing the EuroDMCA is a way that is even harsher and less forgiving than they are required to, and moreover, this is going to be very, very hard to stop. Give this a read, especially if you're a Briton.
What will copyright look like in the 21st century? Many people have many different ideas – it's all very much still in flux. The European Union, however, decided exactly how it would be on the 22nd of May, 2001. That was the date the European Directive "on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the Information Society" was passed. It will become law across Europe by Christmas of this year at the very latest: countries failing to follow the order will be in breach of the Treaty of Rome. Our government are law-abiding, so they've already drafted the patches needed to upgrade existing UK law. It's in its "consultation period" from now until October.
The European Copyright Directive (or EUCD) is one of a raft of new proposals sweeping across the world that give brand new powers to copyright holders. The reason is a fear of widespread, easy, perfect copying over the Net. But the cure may be worse than the problem ever was: especially if you're a humble consumer.
(via Oblomovka)
