Protecting Satire & Parody with the Greens
Channel: NZ Green Party
Date: 2011-11-08

Greens make a real NZ First

The Green Party is performing a real New Zealand first today by exclusively launching its new Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill in an online forum.

Green Party ICT spokesperson Gareth Hughes said it was fitting to launch the internet-focused Bill via Reddit — a popular online community that discusses everything from pictures to politics — because people affected by the current law are more likely to be online.

"This Bill seeks to protect people from being prosecuted for satirising copyrighted content. An example is the Downfall/Hitler meme that's been popular for a few years."

"Parody and satire are among the oldest forms of criticism and play an important role in making light and creating understanding of issues the public feel strongly about. They deserve to be protected in our legal system."

"The Bill will bring New Zealand into line with the laws of other developed counties such as Australia, the USA, and European Union countries which allow the fair use of copyrighted material for parody and satire," Mr Hughes said.

"It will bring New Zealand into the 21st century with its attitude towards copyright and freedom of speech."

Mr Hughes said that the bill recognises that our current copyright legislation is very much out dated.

"In the 21st century with widespread internet accessibility and freedom of information, copyrighted works now take on many more forms than when the Copyright Act was written," Mr Hughes said.

"The Bill will also increase public respect of copyright as an institution, fulfilling broader goals in copyright legislation.

Reddit's New Zealand page— www.reddit.com/r/newzealand — is an active online community that discusses topics from politics to funny picture. The community has been very vocal about the recent passage of the Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Act or Skynet Law.
Links:
Reddit post
Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill
http://www.greens.org.nz/sites/default/files/copyright_parody_and_satire_amendment_bill.pdf