Starting somewhere...

Have you ever illegally downloaded a film or album?

Richard O'Dwyer is a 23 year old British student who has allegedly infringed copyright law. A British court has decided to allow his extradition to the U.S. As more and more of the globe becomes interconnected, are we to assume that the U.S. wants its laws to apply wherever there is an internet connection? 


What follows is the email I sent to the Home Secretary. If you answered yes to the first question, I urge you to do the same.

Dear Teresa May,
I am writing to register my extreme displeasure at the apparent abandonment of a young man by his country. I refer to the treatment of Richard O'Dwyer by the British legal system.
I believe, as I am sure you do, that your first duty as Home Secretary is the protection of all British citizens from injustice. The extradition of this young man would be a dereliction of that duty. Richard O'Dwyer's alleged offence was committed on British soil, by a Briton. If the charges levelled at him are true, why can he not be tried under British law, and held on British soil? 
The issue of copyright infringement is obviously an important one in the U.S. at present, with many eager to set a precedent that favours stricter controls. While such an issue is so high on the political agenda, how can O'Dwyer be guaranteed a fair trial? 
Surely capitulation to this extradition request is a capitulation to American rule of the Internet. Where is the line to be drawn? Where copyright law applies, how long before other civil liberties, already covered by British law are open to question?
I hope that you will consider these factors in your decision, and realise that the extradition of Richard O'Dwyer would set a dangerous precedent.