Appeared in the Toronto Star on June 10, 2012 as UN Internet Takeover Rumours Mask Bigger Governance Shortcomings In recent months the Internet has been buzzing about the prospect of a United Nations “takeover” of the Internet, including responsibility for governance of the domain name system. The concern hit a […]
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International Free Speech Representatives Issue Joint Declaration on Expression and the Internet
The United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Representative on Freedom of the Media, the Organization of American States (OAS) Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) Special […]
“A Great Moment for the Free Flow of Information”
Google’s Public Policy Blog comments on the recent UN Report on freedom of expression and the Internet.
Governments Respond to UN Report On Three Strikes Violating International Law
More than 40 countries and delegations have responded at the Human Rights Council to the recent United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression report that criticizes three strikes/graduated response system. The response, which includes Canada as a co-signer, underscores […]
UN Report Says Internet Three Strikes Laws Violate International Law
On the issue of graduated response, the report states:
he is alarmed by proposals to disconnect users from Internet access if they violate intellectual property rights. This also includes legislation based on the concept of “graduated responseâ€, which imposes a series of penalties on copyright infringers that could lead to suspension of Internet service, such as the so-called “three strikes-law†in France and the Digital Economy Act 2010 of the United Kingdom.
Beyond the national level, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) has been proposed as a multilateral agreement to establish international standards on intellectual property rights enforcement. While the provisions to disconnect individuals from Internet access for violating the treaty have been removed from the final text of December 2010, the Special Rapporteur remains watchful about the treaty’s eventual implications for intermediary liability and the right to freedom of expression.
In light of these concerns, the report argues that the Internet disconnection is a disproportionate response, violates international law and such measures should be repealed in countries that have adopted them: