Thursday, October 25, 2007

FURTHER UPDATE ON THE "BAVAGLIO"

Now, at last, Times Online has a take on it here. We have the amendment, which states that "Persons who have or use personal or collective internet sites, whether or not they carry products, and provided they do not constitute a profit-making company, will not have to register with the roc [Registro degli operatori della comunicazione]". Beppe Grillo is as unconvinced as I am that this is the solution, for he asks, as I asked on Tuesday, whether sites which, for instance, carry Google Ads, could be deemed "profit-making companies". This being Italy, I fear they might. The whole thing is still ambiguous. Grillo also points out that the rest of the world is now laughing at Italy.



I still think all this has happened because a group of politicians see bloggers as possible sources of revenue, first and foremost, but it could also be that they wouldn't mind shutting down blogs such as Grillo's. To me he is a very welcome thorn in the side of authority.


This is what I think will happen, for what it's worth: I think we will all, eventually, have to at least begin some ridiculous, costly - in time if not in money - process of "registering" ; we will be fed-up, irritated and worried to death as the procedures are very unlikely to be simple. And finally, when the government [whichever is in by then] realises that the idea is a non-starter and impossible to regulate, there will be a climb-down - not least because this law will be out of line with EU statutes.

9 comments:

Crushed said...

Have faith, welshcakes.

I'm sure we will find SOME way of going underground.

The resistance commences...

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Thanks, Crushed. Aux armes, citoyens!

jmb said...

I still think it will all go away, which is no comfort to you WCLC. The cost of implementing it would far outweigh any revenue obtained. Mind you, since they love bureaucracy that may not put them off.

Whispering Walls said...

And no doubt you'd have to queue for a bollo for your site...

Sally said...

Your theory of what happens next sounds only too likely - hang in there.........

James Higham said...

There it is, Welsh. But it is a fundamental mistake and sit comfortably thinking it doesn't affect us. The way these people operate is logical - fly a kite, test the waters, run a test case, retreat, try again and so on. They're like Arnie's Terminator. They never, ever stop. They just return in a different way, like your worst nightmare. They don't even know they're final goal - they just do it.

It's what madness truly is.

Ellee Seymour said...

We won't let them close you down. It's outrageous! What about complaining to your MEP claiming it would infringe your human rights.

Let's hope Beppe can continue to put on the pressure regarding this. There should be a good campaign to make sure it doesn't happen.

Gledwood said...

Hang on I just said something but it was unprintable... bloody governments... reminds me of Mrs Thatcher's Pole Tax and the even WORSE Michael Hesseltine's Council Tax... absolute bluster and guff!

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, jmb. No, this is what I fear: they have found some more bureaucratic procedures to annoy us all with and they are happy! No doubt about that, WW... I will, Sally! James, what can I add? You are absolutely right. Thanks, Ellee. I shall complain - don't worry - and I'm sure Beppe G will continue to fight it. Ciao, Gleds - they'll take our dosh any way they can, wherever we are!

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