Australia backs down on proposed Ridiculous Copyright Law

[mandy]

Attorney-General Philip Ruddock's copyright reforms are almost certain to become law by January, after significant changes were made to ensure innocent consumers are not criminalised.

The Copyright Amendment Bill 2006 passed through the Senate on Friday after a number of modifications were made. It will now go back to the House of Representatives for re-approval.

Before the amendments to the bill, experts warned that simply owning an iPod, camera phone or a DVD recorder might be enough to land one in jail or lumbered with a large fine.

On-the-spot fines of $1320 were also proposed, which would be issued like speeding tickets, even to those who had no idea they were dealing with copyright infringing material...

full article: http://www.smh.com.au/news/biztech/backd...19601.html

[BellisimaJ.]

Before the amendments to the bill, experts warned that simply owning an iPod, camera phone or a DVD recorder might be enough to land one in jail or lumbered with a large fine.

On-the-spot fines of $1320 were also proposed, which would be issued like speeding tickets, even to those who had no idea they were dealing with copyright infringing material.

:blinkie:

Prior to the ammendments, the bill sounds like something the Bush admin might have come up with.