89% oppose having to prove innocence over internet downloads

Only 1.6% of New Zealanders support a new law’s provision requiring people to prove their innocence, or face penalties of up to $15,000 and internet disconnection, if accused of breaching copyright when transferring files.

Some 89% think authorities should have to prove a person has illegally transferred files before they are disconnected from the internet.

According to a new HorizonPoll survey of 1,922 people nationwide between April 15 and 22, 37.1% support the law to stop copyright breaches through file sharing, while 38.3% oppose.

However, only 32.2% support the new power to disconnect those illegally transferring files from the internet, while 45% oppose, 19.3% are neutral and 3.2% don’t know.

When asked if authorities should have to prove a person has illegally transferred files before they are disconnected from the internet, or the person accused must prove their innocence, 89.4% say people should be disconnected only after authorities have proven the offence. Only 1.6% support disconnection without proof, while 9% don’t know.

The survey reveals the extent of possible past illegal song and video downloading: 18.3% say they have downloaded files that could have been covered by copyright but did not pay for them, 54.5% say they have not while 27.3% say they don’t know.

The new law will result in 11.2% downloading less, and 8% downloading less because they will have to pay. However, 70.2% say it won’t make a difference. Of these 11.56% believe there is always a way around these sort of controls.

Among the 18.3% who say they have downloaded items which could have been under copyright but did not pay for them, 17.9% say they will download less, 9.4% say the law will cost them more because they will have to pay for more files – while 68.4% say it won’t make a difference or there is a way around these sorts of controls.

This survey covered 1,922 respondents and was conducted between April 15 and 22, 2011. It is weighted by age, gender, ethnicity, employment status, region and party vote 2008 to provide a representative sample of the national population. The maximum margin of error at the 95% confidence level is +/- 2.2%.