Dear Wikimedia ZA chapter and mailing list members,
This is a quick update on Wikimedia ZA activities this year so far.
*Wikimania*
As I am sure you are well aware, Wikimania
<https://wikimania2018.wikimedia.org>, the annual Wikipedia (and other
Wikimedia related projects) international conference will be taking place
in Cape Town in just over a weeks time. The pre-conference will run from
the 18th to the 19th July and the main conference from the 20th to the 22nd
July over the weekend.
Wikimedia ZA has been intimately involved in hosting and organising this
event with the Wikimedia Foundation. We are expecting around 650 attendees
at this years event. The event is open to the public with a special call
out to local Wikipedia editors. So if you are in Cape Town please do join
us. We will have walk in registrations. South African citizens are
entitled to a 50% discount.
I also still have a very limited number of complementary tickets for
veteran Wikipedia editors which I will give out on a first come first serve
basis to local Wikipedia editors. Just please give me your Wikipedia user
name so I can check your edit activity.
Some events, such as the Water Sustainability edit-a-thon
<https://wikimania2018.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimania_edit-a-thon>, do not
require a registration to join so check out the program
<https://wikimania2018.wikimedia.org/wiki/Program>for anything that might
interest you.
*Copyright Bill*
I have just submitted Wikimedia ZA's commentary to the South African
Parliament that supports calls for both Freedom of Panorama and Fair Use.
I have attached our submission to this email. The call from parliament was
for members of the public to comment on specific sections of the draft 2
version of the amended Copyright Bill that is expected to go before
Parliament later this year.
Wikimedia ZA supports changes to sections 15 (1) that will replace wording
that will essentially function as a Freedom of Panorama clause. Even if
that term is not used in the bill.
There has also been dramatic movement in the bill replacing the old,
confusing, and outdated Fair Dealing wording with an updated Fair Use
policy that is more open to innovation and easier to understand for
laypeople such as your average Wikipedia editor.
I have attached both the draft bill being looked at right now, the call out
for comments as well as Wikimedia ZA's submission to parliament.
If you wish to submit a comment in support of Freedom of Panorama and/or
Fair Use, or on any other specific elements of the draft bill (in support
or against) then please submit them to Andre Hermans <
ahermans(a)parliament.gov.za> by the 18th July 2018.
Regards,
Douglas.
--
Douglas Ian Scott
司道格
Skype: douglas0scott
South African mobile number: +27 (0)79 515 8727