So... · 10:23pm Mar 1st, 2019
Okay, here we go. Big post.
https://mobile.twitter.com/Senficon/status/1100483357245427712
Or if you can't translate German...
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2019/02/27/copyright-directive-justice-committee-decision/
Now the thing is, and this is only speculation as the voting isn't finalized till the end of this month but -BUT!- copyright laws have always been abused, so it's sorta laughable in concept. However, if this bill is finalized and this is if I restate I would imagine European based websites would have to abide by it and it could possibly affect other countries too. I dunno. I'm not an expert on this sorta thing.
Now... Okay, nightmare scenario. Worst case thing, 1984 type scenario. Here's a question for you. Saying this does pass, and this is a big if here again. Where would they put everyone who breaks these articles? And everyone would, considering how many people there are in the world that use the internet. Where, just where would they put everyone? Serious legit question. Seriously, no sarcasm or wisecracks. Where would everyone go?
No answers anyone?
That's the thing, there are not enough prisons in the world to house every person who would inevitably break these laws in some manner.
It's stupid in concept, and stupid in actual execution when you get down to it. What's more likely is, and I'll quote my friend Vertigo here.
More likely we'll get a fine. Vert put it best.
f memory serves the FBI warning at the start of home media is 5 years in jail or a $200,000 fine. It'd probably depend on the value of whatever the copyright holder is worth. Or something like that.
This is why the bill doesn't work though. I could likely file a DMCA against anyone who uses an image of a wolf howling in their video, blog, photo album, or fan fiction and say "that's mine". Giving copyright holders so much power is laughable. If memory serves once more, it isn't hard to copyright something.(edited)
Hell, you could probably sue the EU for some silly reason.
And he's right. If someone made a meme, and someone always is you could file a strike against them. This is just wall to wall stupid in concept, and very easy to abuse and I'd think if someone used their brains they'd realize it's nigh-impossible to execute. Built on some very odd ground, and to be honest I can't really see this passing, and if it did it wouldn't work all that well for so many reasons backlash just being one of them.
And let's not forget the Deep and Dark Webs. Those places are monstrous in size, and trying to enforce laws on them... Forget about it. It's like Prohibition. You can't reinforce such flimsy laws.
Those articles really need to fail to pass, but knowing the idiots and disgusting people sitting there, I'm afraid it's going to pass.
I only hope that if this happen, the EU will fill the outrage of the people as grand as was the yellow vests' protests.
Suing the EU for some silly reason? How's this for one?
Politically Silly Scenario: EU puts the law in effect but is unable to punish some of the people who break said law due to how many there are. The copyright holders, unhappy with the ones that got away, demand priority for their case but the EU can't keep up. Frustrated at the lack of progress, copyright holders sue the EU or whatever taskforce was set up to enforce the law over some perceived negligence. Keeping it quiet would be impossible since the copyright holders will want as much support from the public.
Regardless of who wins the case or if it even gets to court, the EU loses face over the ironic event and proceeds to repeal the law, lest they face further ridicule from their citizens and the rest of the world.
The EU is a good idea but is horribly executed. The copyright laws across the world are horrible. Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny should have been in the public domain long ago. Hopefully many people move their servers to America so our first amendment can protect them.
5021803
Yep, basically. If they were smart, they'd drop this entirely. Big if there though.
5021820
That's the problem, they aren't. One of the highlight of this mess, was during the first stage were those articles got voted. One of the members who voted for, cheered that it pass and admit just after he didn't know the content of those articles.
5021824
5021825
Facehoof indeed. We have incompetants passing Europe's laws.
5021868
If only it was only incompetence. Most representatives are Yes men answering to lobbies and corporations of dying outlets who want those laws to stay relevant in the free market that is the Internet.
But the worst thing is those people aren't even the worst.
Representatives like Guy Verhofstadt are insanely crazy and reason why such people are even in the position they are is the epiphany of elitism.
5021886
Lovely.