I just read that two big Dutch Internet-provider, XS4ALL and Ziggo, are ordered by a judge to block the site of The Pirate Bay. This is in my opinion very bad.
Why bad? No, not because the content that you can get at The Pirate Bay. To be honest, I never even connected to their site. People who know me a little are well aware of my rather nice collection of legal CD’s, DvD’s and BluRays. And I buy rather a lot at iTunes.
And I think everyone should do concerning downloading illegal content what he/she thinks is best. I don’t mind and I don’t judge.
It is bad because it damages the freedom of the Internet. It is bad because the rights of some big companies seems to be more important then the fundamental rights of Dutch citizens. This is another step to “Big Brother”. Today it is a server with illegal content. Tomorrow it may be a site with political content that “someone” doesn’t like.
And it dumb, because someone with a little knowledge of the Internet can easily by-pass such a blockade. And in no time there will be many manuals online how to do this for those that don’t know.
The only rightful way to handle servers with illegal content is bringing down that server. That may be hard when that server in another country. True, but forcing the “transporter” to block certain “ways” is a bad thing and even very dangerous when it comes down to freedom of speech and information.
XS4ALL will appeal against the decision of this judge and Ziggo may do the same. I truly hope that another judge may see how wrong this is….
Well it is twice as sad when you read that the Judge has mis interpreted the evidence delivered by Brein.
http://webwereld.nl/nieuws/109167/rechter-blundert-in-vonnis-the-pirate-bay.html
Next to that the obligatory retention period for information on the internet will probably be forced on Social Media….. Sad day indeed.
And at the moment that xs4all and Ziggo have decided to appeal, The European Communitie shows its affection for America (DMCA / SOPA) and introduces the idea for a Notice and takedown without the interferance of a Court and Judge……… Bah