Thanks John.
On a different note (but from the same article) -
"IPOS has not included an exemption for the circumvention of
technological access control measures applied to the firmware of mobile
phones, in contrast to the US Copyright Office anti-circumvention
rulemaking. Such firmware prevents customers from switching networks.
IPOS understands that the telecommunications companies operating here do
not currently apply such measures on the mobile phones sold here.
However, IPOS would still welcome any comments the public may have on
this particular issue."
No iPhone joy!
KQ
John Thng wrote:
http://www.ipos.gov.sg/topNav/leg/pub/pas/Public+Consultation+Exercise+on+Draft+Copyright.htm
On Tue, Apr 22, 2008 at 11:45 AM, Kelvin Quee <[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>> wrote:
Hi,
While reading Harish's blog, I came across this post -
http://harishpillay.livejournal.com/97808.html
"Looking at the Singapore context, our laws do not support not
deny support of software patents. But from all my queries with the
IPOS, it seems that software patents crept into Singapore via the
Singapore-US Free Trade Agreement signed a few years ago. I am
hoping that the new law minister will see it as a valuable time
spent to look at software patents and consider legislation barring
it officially in Singapore."
Which brings back a lot of memories. I just bought a Nintendo Wii
awhile ago and I was trying to get it "modded" (modified with a
chip so that I can play backup games).
I asked around on the Internet and was immediately slammed,
banned, kicked out and blacklisted from forums and mailing lists.
Their reason was that I was breaking a law and console-modding is
illegal.
What nonsense! I went to look up the legislations (Copyright Act).
There's nothing of that sort. Someone pointed out the SG-US FTA
and indeed there is a certain line that prohibits "circumvention
of a technological protection measure". It turned out to be true.
There was a case awhile ago about the police raiding shops in Sim
Lim Square for providing "mod chips". I do not know what charges
were brought against them, though I've the sense that most of it
may simply be FUD. An FTA is not the law, right? (Correct me please)
See the level of ignorance here -
http://forums.gameaxis.com/showthread.php?t=1464718&page=5
<http://forums.gameaxis.com/showthread.php?t=1464718&page=5>
My point is that there's alot of fear about the unknown in
Singapore and people trade their ignorance of the law for fear.
Fear restricts creativity and innovation.
What has this got to do with Open Source?
I haven't taken a look at how the FTA "enables" software patent in
Singapore, but I think we need to startup an interest in
understanding the legislation among the Open Source Community in
Singapore.
Some sort of Activism for Awareness. Not (yet) rallying in front
of the Parliament, but stepping forward and talking to the people
and the media about The Truth. People here think that what's not
explicitly allowed IS illegal. That's pure FUD and local interest
groups take advantage of that.
(This is purely my opinion. I am not a lawyer and I'm putting this
forward to discuss. Let's learn.)
Kelvin Quee
Harish Pillay wrote:
>From slashdot and outrageously funny,
http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=529728&cid=23149738
<http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=529728&cid=23149738>
"If you can change a vote of "no with comments [slashdot.org <http://slashdot.org>]"
to "yes" I
don't see why you couldn't change "fails with 122,000 errors" to "passes." I
mean, when your standard passes through sheer lobbying and politics with
little technical analysis, it's going to take a lot to surprise me with how
epically it fails."
Harish - say something!
What CAN I say? Write to the ISO. Write to CEO IDA. Write to the ITSC
Council. Complain to the Minister. Write to the PM. Blog about it (or
comment
on my blog http://harishpillay.livejournal.com/#entry_101072).
Harish
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Kelvin Quee
+65 9177 3635
[EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Bridging People with Ideas
http://InteresThink.com
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Kelvin Quee
+65 9177 3635
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Bridging People with Ideas
http://InteresThink.com
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