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Wednesday 25 March, 2009
CFF announce aims to help 'Fix Section 92'

The Creative Freedom Foundation (CFF) welcomes the government's decision to stop S92A coming into force as originally written on March 27th, and to work towards a replacement section.

CFF Director Bronwyn Holloway-Smith says “We have said throughout the process of pushing for S92's repeal that there is a considerable issue with copyright infringement online. S92 was not the way to fix this, so we have been working on a draft that we hope will sensibly deal with the issue, while retaining New Zealander's fundamental right to due process.”

The document has been released today on the CFF website www.CreativeFreedom.org.nz under the title “Fix Section 92” and is open for immediate public submission.

“We encourage New Zealand artists, and the wider public to make submissions on this draft document and are we look forward to working with everyone who would have been affected by S92A towards a sensible and workable alternative” Holloway-Smith further states.

At the core of the draft document is the idea of an additional branch to the existing Copyright Tribunal specifically for these disputes, an adoption of the internationally popular notice-and-notice model, and a variety of sanctions. This aims to be an efficient resolution to copyright infringement in an online environment.

About The Creative Freedom Foundation

The Creative Freedom Foundation was founded in 2008 by artists and technologists Bronwyn Holloway-Smith and Matthew Holloway in response to changes in copyright law and the effect these changes are having on creativity, the economy, and public rights. The CFF represent thousands of New Zealand artists including musicians, film makers, visual artists, designers, writers, & performers.

TheFoundation's primary goals are:

• The education of New Zealand artists about emerging issues within New Zealand that have the potential to influence their collective creativity
• Advocacy to ensure that their views are taken into consideration, and
• The promotion and encouragement of activities that support and build the New Zealand arts community, positive relationships within that community and/or the positive wellbeing of that community.

The Creative Freedom Foundation views the internet as an opportunity for artists in New Zealand, not a threat and, through their goals, they seek to bring Copyright Law into the 21st Century.
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http://creativefreedom.org.nz/

ENDS

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