Dear Deputy for Dun Laoghaire,
I call on you to oppose the proposed enactment of “S.I. No. of 2011 European Communities (Copyright and Related Rights) Regulations 2011.”
This legislation subverts the democratic process, favours the special interests of corporations over the rights of individual citizens, will destroy the largest growth sector in the Irish economy, and will subject the citizens of Ireland to unwarranted and unintended censorship.
The means by which this legislation is proposed to work will not achieve its intended result of protecting the rights of copyright holders. Infringing sites will still be accessible by even the most minimally technologically literate persons. This legislation serves only to erode our rights and discourage international investment.
Yahoo!, Twitter, Facebook, Google, AOL, FourSquare, LinkedIn, PayPal, Zynga, and many more US based companies protested against similar legislation in their country (SOPA/PIPA) which attempted to assuage copyright holders concerns by censoring the Internet. These companies and similar are the lifeblood of Ireland’s future knowledge economy. To believe we can summarily enact legislation that will censor the Internet and not severely detriment our economy and our democratic rights is foolhardy.
On the 11th of January, The European Commission recognised that the Internet “has enormous potential for boosting growth and creating jobs.” and that 20-25% of new jobs could come from growth in this area; growth which will not be possible if the policies in place are more harmful than productive.
This legislation is bad for the Irish economy. It jeopardises the fundamental operation of our largest technology employers, is hostile to investment and relocation, and stifles our technology start-ups. Please do not let this legislation pass.
Yours sincerely,
