Canadian Gov't Asks Public About New Copyright Law 77
Mike Lawrie writes "The so-called Canadian DMCA has had a long history. Historically, proposed legislation has favoured the views of CRIA, the Canadian arm of the RIAA almost completely. However, this time around the government is consulting the public before drafting the bill. They have launched a (Linux-based!) website designed to provide a public forum for discussion. Now is the time to speak up."
Re:What can I say? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:How about we leave things as-is? (Score:3, Interesting)
Canada doesn't need any new laws, copyright law is already established, making illegal copies is already illegal. Why do we need any new laws?
The copyright system in most countries is fairly badly broken and the internet revolution has made that a more pressing issue. The point of copyright is to provide incentive for the creation of new artistic works. There are lots of ways copyright can be changed that will do a better job than what currently exists. Laws reducing the length of copyright, fixing how much of copyright can be transferred, etc.
Smoke & mirrors (Score:5, Interesting)
The site was announced on Friday July 17 with the first consultation for Vancouver scheduled the following Monday July 20.
Typical weasel politics and tactics used by Conservatives.
Re:That's not how Harper does things. (Score:2, Interesting)
You do realize the Liberal's won't be triggering an election over a DMCA law, don't you?
To further clarify this for you. The Liberals will vote for this bill no questions asked because they don't have any issues with terrible new copyright laws. They would be out of their minds to go to the polls over it. (going the polls means voting down a bill which would result in non-confidence in the government and trigger an election)
SO even though the Conservatives only form a minority government, passing this law won't be an issue for them. That's really the crux of my argument. I hope this clears it up for you.
-To answer your first question. I know the Conservatives have a minority government. Thanks for asking.
Re:What can I say? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:What can I say? (Score:1, Interesting)
Don't get too excited just yet. Just because they're soliciting feedback doesn't mean they'll listen to it.
Exactly. They are doing this because bill C-61 was heavily critisiced for not soliciting public opinon. But it's already clear they have no intention to listen. Monday's "Public Copyright Forum" [www.cbc.ca] in Vancouver was announced the Thursday before - giving 4 days notice. It was also announced on twitter(?!?!).
They then spontaneously changed the time from 12:45 to 11:00 or something like that. It was over when I showed up.
Re:How about we leave things as-is? (Score:3, Interesting)
We don't have any WIPO obligations. Canada has signed the WIPO treaty but we have not ratified it. See Howard Knopf's discussion [blogspot.com] of this issue. As he puts it, signing is to dating as ratification is to marriage.
Diderot said.. (Score:2, Interesting)
The freedom to write and speak with impunity, is either the sign of the extreme kindness of the prince, or of the profound slavery of people, Only are permitted to speak the ones who can do nothing.