[d@DCC] A Brochure Against DRM

[Russell McOrmond]

(Just back from Vancouver, which is why this reply is to an older message).

Mike Lipinski wrote:
> I am preparing to do the rounds in my neighborhood with a prepared 
> pamphlet urging people to sign to show their support for the 
> anti-copyright monopoly which various corporations are attempting to
>  foist off on the public.

   This sounds great!

> You have a petition on your web page which I know is not to be used 
> with any other attachments, as stipulated. Would it be possible for 
> us to join forces in some way so that I might be able to use the 
> added influence of an organized body doing active work in this area?


   Unfortunately we aren't an "organized body" in the form of an NGO or
formal coalition, but are a group of citizens who are working together
towards (mostly) common goals.

   We also don't have "representatives" or spokespersons or anything that
formal, but we do have a way to sound each other out to get an idea
where we stand.  There are people who are more vocal than others, but
that is the major difference between us.  My hope has been that this
informal format can encourage people to feel that they can jump in
quickly and participate, rather than being quiet and feeling that they
are somehow "not a member".

   Our petition is a very important "poll" of the views of Canadians, 
the largest of its kind that I am aware of in this area of policy. 
While certain special interest groups claim to represent thousands of 
members, I have seen no evidence that they have ever polled any of their 
members on these issues.

> Would it be possible for anyone in your organization to look over my
>  brochure and give me some feedback, or at least could we in some way
>  confer?

   This forum is the best place for that.  If you put your petition on a
website and then direct us to it, we can send you feedback either
directly (if you prefer) or via this forum (if the comments are worthy
of larger distribution).

> I might, of course, alternatively be able to dream up my own 
> petition. Would you send me any suggestions to help me in this 
> regard?

   If you do a separate more focused petition, do try to have it as a
"sign this as well".   While any petition that has 25 signatures must
get a response from the government, being able to say "Over X people
have signed this specific petition" is extremely powerful.   A separate
petition can be signed by some of the same people, so politicians
wanting to ignore things would claim it is the same people signing even
if this was not the case.

-- 
  Russell McOrmond, Internet Consultant: <http://www.flora.ca/>
  2066+ Canadians oppose Bill C-60 which protects antiquated Recording,
  Motion Picture and "software manufacturing" industries from change...
  http://KillBillC60.ca    Sign--> http://digital-copyright.ca/petition/