Scary Canadian Copyright Reform
Destroyed CD
Originally uploaded by sfllaw.
According to the Canadian Press, there will be chilling changes to the Canadian Copyright Act introduced to parliament next month. Canada has been very progressive about copyright law, mostly because our government has been very slow to do anything about it. This does not mean that we shouldn't put up a fight, though.
The proposed amendments are meant to lock down the existing business models of large media conglomerates, while closing the creative commons that independent artists draw upon. Attempts to circumvent Digital Restrictions Management technologies, even to just to watch a DVD you bought on your own device, will be illegal. Other fair use and fair dealing situations aren't considered, which means a huge segment of you will be made criminals, if this legislation passes unmodified.
You should write to the Hon. Bev Oda, M.P. with your opinions. Here is a sample letter that I sent to her office.
Dear Ms. Oda,
I understand that your office is working on new copyright legislation. As a concerned Canadian citizen and a Canadian artist, I am disturbed to read reports that your proposed legislation is meant to defend the business practices of media industry leaders, and not to protect the rights of individual artists and users.
As you are aware, modern technology is causing rapid change to various media industries. Certainly, distributing music, films, books, and other forms of art has never been simpler nor cheaper. At first glance, this seems to be terrible, since historically, large media conglomerates are the ones that mediate the creation and distribution of mass-market art.
Fortunately, modern technology has had a positive impact on individual artists. Now anyone can record a song without needing a studio contract, distribute it over the Internet, and master their own CDs. Is it any coincidence that Canadians, with their currently lax copyright laws, are among the leaders for independently-produced music? Can we afford the chilling effect that widespread DRM would have on the production and dissemination of Canadian culture?
Thank you for your time.
Your sincerely,
Simon Law
If you're interested in technology law in Canada, you might want to check out Michael Geist. He's a law professor at the University of Ottawa and the Canada Research Chair of Internet and E-commerce Law.
Update: Russell McOrmond notes that you should probably write your own M.P. as well.