[Fsfe-uk] Three things to do on Thursday 10 June: MEP, BBC, PR

[MJ Ray]

1. Vote in the MEP elections. Basically, if you are against swpat or 
more copyright enforcement measures, you shouldn't vote Labour, 
Conservative or maybe Liberal Democrat. Instead, consider Green, UKIP, 
Respect, SNP, Plaid Cymru, who oppose swpat for various reasons. Look 
at independents and other parties on each case. As much detail as I 
can offer is on http://mjr.towers.org.uk/proj/eurovote/


2. Tell the Department of Culture consultation that the BBC's digital 
television services should support the DVB project standards published 
by ETSI. The BBC is a DVB member but, as I understand it, their 
current digital satellite service requires a Sky system to access some 
features because of proprietary technology and lack of standards 
support in the BBC service on Astra 2 and Sky receivers.

Standards-based receivers can get pictures, but not a full Electronic 
Programme Guide or text service. It should be easy for BBC to support 
a full EPG (because a partial one is already transmitted) and a full 
CEEFAX service (because a partial one is there and a full one used to 
be). Directing them to support standards is required to encourage 
receiver system market competition and promote DVB in the UK.

Even if you don't have or plan to get non-Sky satellite, you should 
still give your opinion on whether the BBC should support 
standards-based digital satellite service in this reasonable way which 
will encourage competition, or whether it should promote a Sky 
monopoly (Sky hold shares in freeview too).

address@hidden and
http://www.culture.gov.uk/global/consultations/2004+current+consultations/bbc_digital_review_consult.htm?properties=2004+current+consultations%2C%2Fglobal%2Fconsultations%2F2004+current+consultations%2F%2C&month=

They will publish responses if you don't state otherwise.


3. Get other people to do this too. Explain to them why software 
patents, new copyright enforcement measures and BBC promotion of 
proprietary standards are usually dangerous.


--
MJR/slef
My Opinion Only and possibly not of any group I know.
http://www.ttllp.co.uk/ for creative copyleft computing
Help hack the EuroParl! http://mjr.towers.org.uk/proj/eurovote/