[Ubuntu-SG] Should we "Say No to Piracy"?

[Tom Goh]

Hi,

Intellectual Property in particular software patents and copyrights are
simply stifling innovation in all areas of business and social
communities (Tech, biotech, agriculture, affordable software in poor
countries).

To join this group would be to invalidate all that we stand for in the
open source community.  We stand for open technology and standards not
overly broad patents and restrictive copyrights.  To join this group
would be to validate that these are good for our society.

Take for example DVD and other media formats.  The DVD descrambler can
only be licensed from ... (don't remember the name) and they are
unwilling to give the Linux community a license because it goes against
the GPL.

So in essence there is no DVD capabilities for Linux unless you live in
a country like Sweden which as clear fair use guidelines.  They state
that you are allowed to reverse engineer, circumvent and use code that
is used to legitimately play media that you have purchased.  As such
people in countries like Sweden can install decss and use it to play DVDs.

IANAL, but I am not sure what kind of laws Singapore has for "Fair Use"
(Called Fair Dealings in Singapore) of technology and media.  I
researched this and could not find anything on Google.  Short of
reviewing http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/ and reviewing case law, I can't
confirm if it is legal. I doubt Singapore has strong fair dealing
policies for the use of decss.

If I remember correctly Singapore's Patent system strongly follows that
of the US.  Copyright follows those of commonwealth countries. (See below)

In addition, this makes it difficult for educational and government
agencies to implement Linux because critical technology is locked up in
the copyright and patent system.  Short of buying fluendo codec and a
linux based DVD player (which cost USD $90) they will find no advantage
as the price is reaching that of Windows XP.  BTW Ubuntu sells these
codec and does not guarantee forward compatibility for future versions.
 Are you potentially willing to pay USD$90 every time you upgrade
Ubuntu, which is every 6 months.  It is not sustainable.

When you start looking at all the other things you may have to purchase
to become legally compliant your cost may start far exceeding that of a
Windows license.

My final note.  Lets not confuse pirating of music and video with
"Honour Intellectual Property".  They are two very different things.
Pirating is illegal and is a disincentive to media producers.  Software
patents and copyrights that do not allow for fair use are counter
productive to the benefits of society.  We should be promoting open
standards, it levels the playing field and increases innovation.

Just my 3cents :)

p.s.
Singapore's Copyright and Patent laws if you are interested.  You may
also want to check out some of the technology related laws like computer
misuse, etc.

http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/non_version/cgi-bin/cgi_retrieve.pl?actno=REVED-63&doctitle=COPYRIGHT%20ACT%0A&date=latest&method=part&sl=1
http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/non_version/cgi-bin/cgi_retrieve.pl?actno=REVED-221&doctitle=PATENTS%20ACT%0A&date=latest&method=part&sl=1


Tom

suhaw koh wrote:
> Hi All,
> 
> Seeking your thoughts/inputs/advice on the following idea.
> 
> Further to the Schools project idea.
> 
> Since a key tenet of this project is to reinforce the students' 
> awareness and respect for IP rights, I was thinking of enlisting the 
> assistance of IPOS.
> 
> At there website, I came across the HIP (Honour Intellectual Property) 
> Alliance at this url:
>    http://www.ipos.gov.sg/topNav/prg/gen/HIP+(Honour+Intellectual+Property)+Alliance.htm
> 
> It describes the Alliance thus:
> 
> "HIP Alliance Members
> 
> The HIP Alliance members include organisations involved in creative arts 
> and the creative industries, international organisations, industry 
> bodies and private sector players that believe in Singapore's message to 
> Say No to Piracy."
> 
> I was just wondering if TUSG should sign up to be a member of the 
> alliance ?  I know it is not quite what was envisaged, but I believe 
> TUSG should be a strong supporter of "Singapore's message to Say No to 
> Piracy".
> 
> What do you think ?
> 
> 
> suhaw
> -- 
> ________________________
> Koh Su Haw  许树浩
> http://suhaw.teresaville.org/
>