infoJustice

Published on behalf of the Fair Deal Coalition, of which InternetNZ is a member.

[internetnz.net.nz, (CC-BY)]  The Fair Deal Coalition announces that it is ramping up its presence with a global publicity and education campaign that will raise awareness of intellectual property rights proposals in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP).

A new website – www.ourfairdeal.org – has today been launched and a string of new Coalition members announced – including US-based Fight for the Future, the Australian Library & Information Association, Japan-based Movement for the Internet Active Users and US-based Open Media.

Fair Deal spokesperson and InternetNZ Policy Lead Susan Chalmers says there are strong concerns, in New Zealand and globally, that the TPP could result in stronger intellectual property laws that could undermine the openness of the Internet.

“The now-expanded Fair Deal Coalition is aiming to create an informed, highly-visible, global conversation on copyright in the TPP,” she says.

Since being formed in New Zealand in July 2012, the Fair Deal Coalition has given voice to the concerns of a growing number of people and organisations – including librarians, IT companies, open source societies, telecommunications users, the Internet community, digital rights activists, people who are blind or have low vision, artists, consumers, schools and universities. It is aiming to garner the support of 54 supporting organisations in six countries.

Chalmers says it is testament to the sanity of the Fair Deal cause that so many global organisations have come on board and are willing to seed the ‘Fair Deal’ message to their constituencies.

“All we want from the TPP is a Fair Deal. A Fair Deal that will promote access to knowledge, innovation and economic development, respect fundamental rights, and recognise the realities and opportunities of the Internet.”

Press briefing: 10am today – InternetNZ Office, Wellington.

Members of the media are cordially invited to attend a half-hour press briefing to be held at 10am today at InternetNZ’s Wellington office – Level 9, Grand Arcade Tower, 16 Willis Street.

Members of the Fair Deal Coalition will appear remotely from the 17th TPP negotiating round in Lima – talking about the Coalition’s now-global focus and providing updates from the latest TPP negotiations.

Journalists unable to attend the briefing in person will be able to participate remotely via video conference. Please contact campbell@internetnz.net.nz for details.

To find out more about the Fair Deal Coalition and the Trans Pacific Partnership, visit www.ourfairdeal.org.

For more information contact:

Susan Chalmers
Policy Lead
InternetNZ
susan@internetnz.net.nz
021 284 7065