I just posted a brief update regarding this on the blog, but it should be a fun topic. "Short version: we're in the 6th round of negotiations for ACTA (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement), a multilateral trade agreement intended to combat copyright and trademark infringement. A few hot buttons raised by this trade agreement concern a lack of transparency in the negotiations and what amounts to the U.S. trying to shoehorn its IP policy into the global market. The truly interesting (and topically relevant) aspect of the current round of negotiations is what came out in the most recent leaks; namely the "three-strikes" policy that requires ISPs and SPs under the DMCA safe harbors to shut down user accounts after receiving three copyright infringement notifications in connection with a particular user." discuss. [Edited by - madelelaw on November 11, 2009 10:38:33 PM]

Is it just me, or does it seem like every bill or discussion in government eventually boils down to either violent video games or internet piracy?

Does health-care involve video games or internet piracy? [wink]

Quote: Original post by Oberon_Command
Does health-care involve video games or internet piracy? [wink]

Yep, only communist hippies want health care, and when they're not trying to steal government money to pay their health bills, those damn stoners are playing pirated video games!

I'm not fluent in politics -- but "leaked"? Are they now discussing regulations that govern us people without us knowing about them?

Even if they're just discussing about the possibility of enacting such a regulation in other countries, before it gets voted on or becomes hidden agenda of some party, should we know about what's being discussed?

Quote: Original post by Cygon
I'm not fluent in politics -- but "leaked"? Are they now discussing regulations that govern us people without us knowing about them?

Even if they're just discussing about the possibility of enacting such a regulation in other countries, before it gets voted on or becomes hidden agenda of some party, should we know about what's being discussed?

Well of course not, how could you be so naive? It's a matter of national security!

Quote:
http://www.edri.org/edri-gram/number7.6/acta-transparency-european-parliament

However, the answer of the Obama administration was that the discussion draft of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement and related materials are "classified in the interest of national security pursuant to Executive Order 12958."

Something to do with OMG terrorists!!1! I guess...

Quote: Are they now discussing regulations that govern us people without us knowing about them?

Yes. The US considers it a matter of national security. I have ni idea how the MAFIAA pulled that off but they probably convinced the US administration that terrorism is funded by piracy.