Copyright Law

Austrian Newspapers Want to Use Data Retention to Enforce Copyright

By DrewWilson

There’s some startling news appearing out of Austria recently. The Association of Austrian Newspapers have demanded that ISPs hand over IP addresses of those that could be found to be infringing their copyright. In order to do this, they demand the use of the data retention policies of the ISPs.

This may be the case that shows how data retention can be abused for private and commercial gain – at least in the eyes of a privacy advocate. In a press release posted on the 20th, the Association of Austrian Newspapers have demanded the following (Google translated):

Essential is the legal standard of a clear commitment by the Internet provider for temporary storage of user data (assignment of IP addresses) and their handover to the wounded during infringing content usage. Data must not be used as a cover for rights are abused.

This revelation may bring back some memories for some on the international front. Earlier this year, German book publishers wanted Rapidshare to be put on a national blacklist.

Already, the Austrian Pirate Party has denounced this (Google Translation):

O-Ton: “Privacy should not be used as a cover for rights abused.”
That this claim exactly one day after the (re-) introduction of censorship in Germany arises is probably no coincidence.
But that it just comes from one industry to the largest part of the reciprocal of uncritical copying or typing of reports and by the agency unbridled Raubzitieren from Wikipedia live, you can probably as well Viennese Chuzpe call.
The VÖZ has already at its joint meeting with the IFPI Austria-powered lobbying organization “platform Intellectual Property” for a similar asset has a clear rejection of the Minister of Justice Bandion-Ortner get, but obviously the Lord lernresistent sheep.

Very few people would agree that data retention, along with blacklisting, should be used to enforce copyright and other commercial interests. This is particularly true given that many countries have sold data retention as a means to stop terrorism. At the very least, further uses such as commercial gain on the government level shouldn’t be allowed to happen.

Have a tip? Want to contact the author? You can do so by sending a PM via the forums or via e-mail at drew@zeropaid.com.

Full post as published by ZeroPaid on June 22, 2009 (boomark / email).