The Warring States of NPF - Do you like your internet not burdened with heavy censorship?

Then you should look into this: the Trans-Pacific Partnership will lock down the internet for something like a dozen different countries, and it looks pretty disturbing. From a Guardian article discussing what's on the table:

Quote:

The 30,000 word intellectual property chapter contains proposals to increase the term of patents, including medical patents, beyond 20 years, and lower global standards for patentability. It also pushes for aggressive measures to prevent hackers breaking copyright protection, although that comes with some exceptions: protection can be broken in the course of "lawfully authorised activities carried out by government employees, agents, or contractors for the purpose of law enforcement, intelligence, essential security, or similar governmental purposes".

So you face an increased likelihood of getting your shit kicked in with the full force of the law for people "breaking copyright protection"...unless you're the government, in which case you can rock on and do whatever.

So get on this! Sign a petition, bellow at your elected representatives--you may find they're surprisingly receptive, especially once you use the words "you allow this without protest and no one I know will ever vote for you again". The easiest way to make sure that the worst happens is to assume that it's already over. Go make your voice heard!

The EFF also has a helpful infographic with a rundown of some of the many, many terrible things that comprise the TPP and a handy form that helps U.S. residents contact their elected congressjerks.