I think one thing that people could already start doing is pushing their state legislatures to pass law or even amend state constitutions such that "3 strikes" provisions, lacking due process, are both unenforceable and prohibited in telecom service contract language.
The states that would actually do this are very much a minority, but given their strong states rights bent, I'm sure such places as Montana and New Hampshire would take up the banner with the right person leading the charge.
Who knows whether such legal defense in depth will actually work. Even if it doesn't, the ensuing debate would help expand mindshare on the issue.
The way to sell that is to say "The Japanese (i.e. Sony, so it's even true) want the power to imprison you for sharing music with your friends" and similar language. Tie it into American xenophobia and it'll fly like a lead balloon.
already written to complain to london's Members of the European Parliament.
not sure what good it'll do - most of them are completely useless, the EP has been ignored on this very issue (ACTA) in the past, and they're only writing back to me to ask me for my mail address 'so they can write back to me'
I don't want to hear back from them. I want to read about them standing up for my goddamn rights, in the papers or in the minutes of the EP if needs be. I don't care what they have to say to me on this issue.
You are missing the point: this is not the brainchild of a "sick" mind. This is an ongoing (well, History...) collective push from a select few in position of power‹o›. Unless this gang is broken up (which is not even under discussion), there will be other incarnations this idea (and other similar ideas).
By criminalizing personal, non-commercial replication, they are in effect monopolizing the achievements of our culture to this day for their own profit to the detriment of the advancement of knowledge/culture. This is intentionally premeditated by the board members (real, physical persons without accountability and responsibility) of the Corporations behind ACTA, not just a random (fishing) trip.
I think one thing that people could already start doing is pushing their state legislatures to pass law or even amend state constitutions such that "3 strikes" provisions, lacking due process, are both unenforceable and prohibited in telecom service contract language.
The states that would actually do this are very much a minority, but given their strong states rights bent, I'm sure such places as Montana and New Hampshire would take up the banner with the right person leading the charge.
Who knows whether such legal defense in depth will actually work. Even if it doesn't, the ensuing debate would help expand mindshare on the issue.