New Zealand gov't defies UN opinion on Internet disconnection law

New Zealand gov't defies UN opinion on Internet disconnection law

WELLINGTON, June 7 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand's government isrefusing to back down on a controversial law that allows Internetproviders to disconnect users for alleged copyright infringements,despite a UN report that says Internet access is a human right.

Earlier this year, New Zealand passed the Copyright (InfringingFile Sharing) Amendment Act that would allow Internet serviceproviders (ISPs) to send up to three infringement notices to allegedcopyright infringers before seeking to disconnect them.

In a report on Internet freedom last month, UN special rapporteurFrank La Rue said he was "alarmed by proposals to disconnect usersfrom Internet access if they violate intellectual property rights."

Justice Minister Simon Power said Tuesday he had not put in agreat deal of thought about whether Internet access was a humanright, but he was "very satisfied" with the legislation and had nointention to revisit it, the New Zealand Press Association (NZPA)reported.

"The legislation that we passed a number of weeks ago now wasthoroughly consulted over a two-year period," Power reportedly said.

"I'm confident that it's been through just about every test andevery forum it could have been to get where it is today."

He pointed out that the disconnection provisions would only beintroduced by regulation if the warning regime did not operate as itwas intended, said the NZPA report.

"It's a complex area of law, it is finely balanced and it is noteasy, but I think we've come to an arrangement which is satisfactoryto both rights holders and ISPs."

Green Party Member of Parliament Gareth Hughes, who put forward adefeated amendment to the law that would have removed the right todisconnect users, said Tuesday the rapporteur's report "should be awake-up call for the government."

"They need to heed his call that Internet access is a human rightand ensure they will not enact Internet termination."

The law will come into effect in September and is to be reviewedafter two years.