NZ-born Fair Deal Coalition Gets Global Makeover

NZ-born Fair Deal Coalition Gets Global Makeover

Media release - 20 May 2013

This release is available online at http://tinyurl.com/agcku8v

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

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.”

ENDS

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