It’s not just ISPs protesting against section 92A of the Copyright Act – libraries are concerned they could have their internet access shut down due to rogue users.

The Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA) represents 460 public, educational, commercial, industrial, legal and government libraries in New Zealand.

The association has issued a statement strongly criticising the new law, which will come into effect on February 28 after Attorney General Chris Finlayson declined to delay its implementation.

Draconian provisions in the amended Copyright Act – due to come into effect by the end of the year – effectively throw New Zealand’s ISPs under the bus.

New Zealand’s ICT community yesterday released a joint statement decrying the state of the amendments made to the Copyright Act, which effectively force them to become the “police” of the internet; a costly, and ultimately impossible goal.