Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/06/29/media_lecy_revolt/
Spanish activists have launched a web-based campaign to fight the recently-imposed levy on blank media which will "place a tax on blank CDs, DVDs and even flash memory sticks", as we reported (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/06/29/spain_adds_disc_levy/) earlier today.
Todoscontraelcanon.es (http://www.todoscontraelcanon.es/index.php?body=ppal) (all against the levy) is collecting signatures under a "Your Signature Counts" slogan, and vows to challenge the new Ley de Propiedad Intelectual (Intellectual Property Law) by "any legal means available" - including action through the parliamentary ombudsman and political lobbying of parliamentary deputies.
Ofelia Tejerina, of the Asociación de Internautas (Web Surfers' Association), declared: "This law sidelines the rights of consumers of digital media since by the simple act of buying a digital reproduction system, whether they use it or not, or make personal copies or not, they'll have to pay the levy."
The group has already racked up (http://www.todoscontraelcanon.es/index.php?body=suscribe_firmas) 407,000 of its 500,000 signature target. ®
Dutch reject USB flash drive tax (13 March 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/03/13/dutch_reject_levy_on_usb_keys/
Spain adds levy to blank discs (29 June 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/06/29/spain_adds_disc_levy/
Euro lobbyists demand end of levies on blank media (6 April 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/06/call_to_end_copyright_levies/
Phone biz agrees on $1 DRM levy (7 January 2005)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/01/07/mobile_phone_drm_royalty/