[DMCA-Activists] Re: Taiwan Rejects U.S. Copyright Demands

[William Abernathy]

Richard Stallman wrote:
> I wonder if there is some way we can protest the US policy
> of pressuring other countries into copyright extension
> or express our support to the Tainwanese government in
> rejecting it.

This depends on the tack you want to take. I hate to be depressing, but 
copyright is by no means the only area in which we bully foreign nations. In 
order to gain Most Favored Nation trading status, for example, a nation must 
jump through a number of hoops, among them ensuring a certain per-capita 
purchase of American cigarettes. And no, the Honorable Senator from North 
Carolina does not give a tinker's damn that it may be bad for the health of your 
citizens. Buy smokes, or count yourself among the rogue states. Care for a light?

As nerds focusing on the issues that make a difference to us, we often miss the 
larger picture. The DMCA, for instance, is a component of the World Trade 
Organization treaties/WIPA. We pass this for ourselves (maybe), then shove it 
down the rest of the world's throat. We can protest the US policy directly, and 
enjoy whatever success that might bring us, or we might want to reach out, and 
perhaps even join forces with other, larger, anti-globalization organizations. 
If they have talent at organizing mass rallies, then that's more bodies than we 
can put in the street over copyright, to be sure. If they have the ability to 
lobby effectively, that will probably be a great way to get our message across 
in the Capitol. Odds are, they need a hand with their computers.

--William Abernathy