MEDIA RELEASE

19 February 2009

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GET POWERSHOP TO DONATE $20 TO THE CREATIVE FREEDOM FOUNDATION

http://powershop.co.nz/promo/blackpower/

Startup internet-based electricity vendor Powershop.co.nz has joined the New Zealand Internet Blackout to protest against the Guilt Upon Accusation law.

Powershop will give $20 to the Internet Blackout organisers, the Creative Freedom Foundation, for every supporter of the campaign that signs up to Powershop.

The Guilt Upon Accusation law is the proposed Section 92A of the Copyright Act which is due to come into effect of 28 February. It calls on internet users to be disconnected by their ISPs if they are accused of copyright infringement without a trial and without any evidence held up to court scrutiny.

Powershop CEO Ari Sargent said the law was a fundamental removal of internet users’ democratic rights.

“Our business is 100% internet-based. Our customers depend on the internet for their everyday needs. In today’s economy, internet connections are as important as electricity connections,” he said.

Creative Freedom Foundation director Bronwyn Holloway-Smith encourages supporters of the Internet Blackout to sign up to Powershop.

“We greatly value the support Powershop is providing to the movement against this draconian law. This campaign has been run on a shoestring and goodwill," she said.

"We will greatly appreciate some financial support as it will enable us to reach new horizons.”

About Powershop
Internet startup Powershop is the world’s first shop for electricity. Powershop customers buy electricity in advance from a range of products in the online shop. Powershop also offers a range of tools to help its customers understand more about how they consume electricity so they can reduce their usage.

ENDS