Mozilla's Paperstorm campaign calls for copyright reform to save the internet

Mozilla has teamed up with design studio Moniker and launched a new "digital advocacy tool" called Paperstorm with the aim of modernizing copyright laws in Europe. The tool makes it easy for ordinary internet users to carpet bomb European lawmakers with virtual leaflets demanding change.

The campaign is looking to drop millions of leaflets on cities around Europe to send a message to EU policymakers. The timing is important because copyright laws are due to undergo amendments, and proposals need to be in by the end of the year. Mozilla says that existing rules are outdated, and now is the time to make sure the laws are appropriate to modern needs.

There's great concern that current laws stifle creativity and prevent people from building on existing ideas and concepts. In an age of sharing, Mozilla warns that the current copyright framework can make it "technically illegal to create, share and remix memes and other online culture and content."

The company says:

We know lawmakers are listening. Last year, Mozilla and our allies collected hundreds of thousands of signatures calling for copyright reform that would foster innovation and creativity in Europe. Some members of the European Parliament have been working diligently to improve the Commission's proposal, and have taken into account some of the changes we've called for, such as removing dangerous provisions like mandatory upload filters, and pushing back against extending copyright to links and snippets.

But many other lawmakers need to be convinced not to break the Internet, and to support a modern copyright reform that empowers creators, innovators and Internet users.

This is why internet users are being called on to get involved and drop as many fliers as they can to help get the message across. The virtual flier reads:

DEAR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT! We are the cat video producers, the GIF lovers, and parody makers who bring delight to the Internet. Ours is a place where every imagination thrives.

Copyright laws you vote on will decide if creativity and expression will flourish. Or, your choice would force video sites to filter and prevent all of our uploads in the name of copyright protection. THE JOYFUL INTERNET we love would CEASE TO EXIST.

Vote wisely.

The Internet is counting on you!

#FIXCOPYRIGHT

Check out the Paperstorm website to find out more and get involved. Further information about the copyright campaign can be found at https://www.changecopyright.org/.