Powershop supports Blackout campign

As the controversial Section 92A of the Copyright Amendment Act, due to come into effect on 28 February 2009, more and more company are supporting the Creative Freedom blackout campaign.

The Latest of this is the ,Powershop, a start up internet-based electricity vendor.

Powershop will give $20 to the Internet Blackout organisers, the Creative Freedom Foundation, for every supporter of the campaign that signs up to Powershop.

The Guilt Upon Accusation law is the proposed Section 92A of the Copyright Act which is due to come into effect of 28 February. It calls on internet users to be disconnected by their ISPs if they are accused of copyright infringement without a trial and without any evidence held up to court scrutiny.

Powershop CEO Ari Sargent said the law was a fundamental removal of internet users’ democratic rights.

">“Our business is 100% internet-based. Our customers depend on the internet for their everyday needs. In today’s economy, internet connections are as important as electricity connections,” he said.

Creative Freedom Foundation director Bronwyn Holloway-Smith encourages supporters of the Internet Blackout to sign up to Powershop.

“We greatly value the support Powershop is providing to the movement against this draconian law. This campaign has been run on a shoestring and goodwill," she said.

"We will greatly appreciate some financial support as it will enable us to reach new horizons.”

After the Public protest in Wellington, the Auckland group will also have the same demonstration this coming friday at Downtown Queen St, starting outside Britomart,1pm.