[Linux-aus] Linux Australia Urges the Federal Govt. Not to Abandon Consumer and Competition Interests

[Andrew Pollock]

Silly question...

Did Linux Australia actually formally send anything to the Federal
Government in relation to this, or was this just basically an "open letter"
to the Government type thing...

regards

Andrew

On Tue, Jun 13, 2006 at 10:06:49AM +1000, James Purser wrote:
> Linux Australia Urges the Federal Govt. Not to Abandon Consumer and
> Competition Interests
> 
> Linux Australia, Australia's peak Free and Open Source Software
> community group, announced the launch of a petition today calling on the
> federal government to resist pressure to abandon consumer and
> competition rights when drafting anti-circumvention laws.  New laws are
> required under the terms of the Free Trade Agreement negotiated between
> Australia and the United States.
> 
> "The treaty doesn't force us to implement this like the US, where these
> laws have driven litigation to suppress academic publications, prevent
> third-party printer cartridge manufacturers, and eliminate competition
> by Open Source software.  But naturally some large business interests
> are pressing for the same restrictions on legitimate access to digital
> material here." said Rusty Russell, Linux Australia's IP Policy Adviser.
> 
> "Consumers should continue to enjoy full use of their legitimately
> purchased digital material, whether it be playing DVDs, copying CDs onto
> their iPods, using computer programs of their choice, or playing
> iTunes-bought songs on non-iPod MP3 players.  You've paid for it, you
> use it as you see fit."
> 
> Con Zymaris, a director with the Open Source Industry Association,
> joined with Russell.  "Australian small businesses are world-class at
> using, deploying and building Open Source software.  We must be free to
> do so without fear of lawsuits from the larger incumbents we compete
> against."
> 
> Linux Australia President Jon Oxer called for a focus on consumer rights
> and support.  Oxer urged all those who would be affected by the new laws
> to download a copy of the petition and get as many signatures as
> possible.
> 
> "If we don't push back now, Australian competition, consumer rights and
> freedoms will be hamstrung as we enter the digital age."
> 
> The petition and online statement can be found at
> http://linux.org.au/law.
> 
> Rusty Russell can be contacted on 0417 451212.
> 
> About Linux Australia
> 
> Linux Australia exists to serve and promote the Australian Linux and
> Open Source community. The organisation aims to do this best by taking
> enthusiasms within the community, such as FOSS issues, projects,
> education, advocacy just to name a few, and help them flourish, to
> succeed. The lifeblood of this organisation is the people in the
> community, and Linux Australia strives to be both relevant and useful to
> the community. For more details on Linux Australia visit
> http://linux.org.au
> 
> About OSIA
> 
> OSIA is the national industry body for Open Source within Australia. We
> exist to further the cause of both Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)
> in Australia and to help our members to improve their business success
> in this growing sector of the global Information and Communication
> Technology (ICT) market. For more information about OSIA please visit
> http://www.osia.net.au
> -- 
> James Purser
> Ordinary Committee Member
> Linux Australia
> http://linux.org.au