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Ladies, Gentlemen, everything in between. We are in trouble. Usually I hate getting political, but this time I feel I must break that rule.

For those who don't know, the EU has passed a little piece of legislation known as Article 13. This spells disaster for the internet as we know it. Article 13 changes the game by placing the responsibility of copyright infringement not on the up-loader, but on the platform that hosts it. A small change but with big consequences.

This unfortunately follows that platforms like Youtube, DeviantART, Fanfiction.Net, even Facebook will be under threat of a lawsuit. The Article is so heavy handed that platforms might implement a zero tolerance policy, meaning anything that risks breaking Article 13, including stuff falling under 'fair use' will be automatically targeted and removed. Platforms like Fanfiction.net can't possibly exist, and fan works on deviantART will have to removed. Youtube videos, including harmless blogs, might be disallowed for fear of a whiff of copyrighted material in the background, including music, sounds and posters.

Which unfortunately means my own shows like Mario and Luigi: The Mask and Mario and Sonic Adventures must come to an abrupt halt. Your favourite artists could be wiped out over night.

Those outside the EU will also eventually feel the burn, because if this is allowed to go through other countries might decide this is a good idea.

But it's not yet over. The Article is due to be ratified in January. Those within the EU, including the UK, please contact your local European MP and tell them how much of a bad idea this is. It is possible this Article was drawn up without understanding the full implications of what it means, since most Government officials never grew up with the internet nor understand what a creative melting pot it truly is.

I also strongly recommend you also look into Article 11. This could also spell disaster for alternative media on the internet, and could in effect lead to another Article 13 like piece of legislation moving in the background, and we'd never get to see it until its too late.

So contact your member or Europoean Parliament Member and let them know you're concerns with the way this is heading.

European Parliament Members list twitter.com/europarl_en/lists/…

Youtubes statement on Article 13 youtube-creators.googleblog.co…

Article 13 eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten…

Description
Ladies, Gentlemen, everything in between. We are in trouble. Usually I hate getting political, but this time I feel I must break that rule.

For those who don't know, the EU has passed a little piece of legislation known as Article 13. This spells disaster for the internet as we know it. Article 13 changes the game by placing the responsibility of copyright infringement not on the up-loader, but on the platform that hosts it. A small change but with big consequences.

This unfortunately follows that platforms like Youtube, DeviantART, Fanfiction.Net, even Facebook will be under threat of a lawsuit. The Article is so heavy handed that platforms might implement a zero tolerance policy, meaning anything that risks breaking Article 13, including stuff falling under 'fair use' will be automatically targeted and removed. Platforms like Fanfiction.net can't possibly exist, and fan works on deviantART will have to removed. Youtube videos, including harmless blogs, might be disallowed for fear of a whiff of copyrighted material in the background, including music, sounds and posters.

Which unfortunately means my own shows like Mario and Luigi: The Mask and Mario and Sonic Adventures must come to an abrupt halt. Your favourite artists could be wiped out over night.

Those outside the EU will also eventually feel the burn, because if this is allowed to go through other countries might decide this is a good idea.

But it's not yet over. The Article is due to be ratified in January. Those within the EU, including the UK, please contact your local European MP and tell them how much of a bad idea this is. It is possible this Article was drawn up without understanding the full implications of what it means, since most Government officials never grew up with the internet nor understand what a creative melting pot it truly is.

I also strongly recommend you also look into Article 11. This could also spell disaster for alternative media on the internet, and could in effect lead to another Article 13 like piece of legislation moving in the background, and we'd never get to see it until its too late.

So contact your member or Europoean Parliament Member and let them know you're concerns with the way this is heading.

European Parliament Members list twitter.com/europarl_en/lists/…

Youtubes statement on Article 13 youtube-creators.googleblog.co…

Article 13 eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten…