Lotu-Iiga Peseta Sam: Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
Lotu-Iiga Peseta Sam: Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
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PESETA SAM LOTU-IIGA (National—Maungakiekie) 
: 
 I rise to support the first reading of the Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Bill. I acknowledge the Minister of Justice for bringing the bill to the House and for taking the time and consideration to consult stakeholders in the industry who are affected. I believe he is bringing in the right type of solution for the issues involved. 
As has been stated the Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Bill amends the Copyright Act 1994 to provide new enforcement measures against the unauthorised sharing of copyright material via the Internet. Infringement of copyright as has already been stated in the House is facilitated by digital technologies. It is cheap to produce multiple copies that are indistinguishable from the original and the Internet speeds up distribution. The magnitude of the problem makes it too difficult for some rights-holders to eliminate it and the phenomenon is increasing despite existing regimes dealing with copyright infringement. 
As an example an average of 200000 movie and television files are shared each month in this country according to the New Zealand Federation Against Copyright Theft (NZFACT). A NZFACT survey found that two in five young people have downloaded illegal copies of movies for free and young men and those aged 15 to 17 are more likely to be the offenders. Another survey commissioned by TelstraClear of more than 1000 New Zealand Internet users aged 18 to 70 found that every respondent—every respondent—had downloaded copyrighted material at least once in the year to June 2009. 
Many people consider that sharing and downloading is harmless but my contention is that it impacts on creative industries the New Zealand economy and the reputation of our country in foreign countries. The recording industry in New Zealand is obviously one of the creative industries most affected by illegal downloading. It is expected that similar large-scale effects will also damage the screen sector as broadband availability increases due to the Government’s programme around broadband. 
This bill will repeal section 92A of the principal Act and replaces it with a three-notice regime which is intended to deter illegal file-sharing. This amendment puts in place a fair and balanced process to deal with online copyright infringements occurring via file sharing. The major feature is the three-notice process which educates the public about illegal file-sharing and provides effective methods for copyright owners to enforce their copyright. The bill also ensures that file sharers are given adequate warnings that unauthorised sharing of copyright works is illegal. I repeat that unauthorised sharing of copyright works is illegal. The bill also extends the jurisdiction of the Copyright Tribunal enabling it to hear complaints and award penalties of up to $15000 based on the amount of damage sustained by the copyright owner. 
I look forward to discussing this bill with my colleagues on the Commerce Committee and I support this bill in its first reading. Thank you.