In what is bound to be a controversial element, the committee recommended that Internet service providers (ISPs) must be held liable for copyrighted material that goes through their systems. To be exempt from that liability, the ISPs must show they are acting as true "intermediaries," without actual or constructive knowledge of the content.
ISPs should be required to comply with a "notice and takedown" system against subscribers who violate copyright laws.
ISPs liable for the copyrighted material that goes through their systems!? This is ludicrous. Because AOL would now be legally liable if you trade copyright-protected music on their system, they would undoubtedly be forced to monitor, regulate, or in some way track your use of the internet to prevent lawsuits. Sound like 1984 anyone? You bet it does.
While America did not ratify these treaties, these are the same treaties that caused Congress and the American music industry to implement the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, under which people are being sued today for sharing music. Soon, it looks like the ISPs will be sued as well.
The internet appears to be headed toward a limited existence, shackled by laws that restrict the flow of information, and ultimately, freedom and creativity. This process must be stopped.
