Canadian DMCA -- AKA, Katt gets all grassroots
I do the sociopolitical things very rarely because I don't really like my soapbox interacting with my hobbies but in this case, it's very very relevant. Plus, it's CanCon which is I think I'm legally required to have. I swear. It was in the citizenship oath and everything. Double-plus, my degree WAS in digital art and theory; wouldn't want that to go to waste.
(Ripped directly from the Facebook group)
JUNE 12, 2008 UPDATE - CANADIAN DMCA INTRODUCED
Industry Minister Jim Prentice and Canadian Heritage Minister Josee Verner introduced Bill C-61 - the Canadian DMCA - earlier this morning. It is apparent that the worst fears of thousands of Canadians - over 42,000 as of this date on this group alone - have been realized. If enacted, the Canadian DMCA will leave Canada with one of the most restrictive copyright laws for the digital environment in the world. Far from providing assistance to the digital marketplace, this law will have a stifling effect on creativity, innovation, consumer rights, and free speech in Canada.
What does this mean, o fellow Canucks? Daryle Moore sums up the everyday things we do that would be illegal:
- Television Recording
- Ripping DVD to computer, jukebox, iPod or anything really.
- Unlocking a service provider locked cell phone
- Ripping CDs for iTunes, RealPlayer, etc.
- Keeping a library of recorded TV shows
- Posting family vacation photo on flickr taken by kind stranger
- Hacking game machines (XBOXs) to install Linux or other software (may be illegal)
- Watching out-of-region-coded DVDs (may be illegal)
This is Not On. I encourage everyone who has a Facebook account to join the "Fair Copyright for Canada" group. If you don't have a Facebook account, please go to Copyright for Canadians which has a listing of your MPs and a form letter you can send by email or snail mail.
Apologies to the non-Canadians for the length of the post. I just think this is much too important to put under a cut. Our decisions for copyright will affect not only fandom but the idea of owning creativity. Copyright was initially created to protect artists but this was a couple hundred years ago before corporations, the Internet and globalisation. The way copyright is going on now will dry up creativity, harming artists instead of supporting them. We need to find a better medium.
Thank you for letting me stand on this lovely soapbox. It is very tall and shiny.
(Ripped directly from the Facebook group)
JUNE 12, 2008 UPDATE - CANADIAN DMCA INTRODUCED
Industry Minister Jim Prentice and Canadian Heritage Minister Josee Verner introduced Bill C-61 - the Canadian DMCA - earlier this morning. It is apparent that the worst fears of thousands of Canadians - over 42,000 as of this date on this group alone - have been realized. If enacted, the Canadian DMCA will leave Canada with one of the most restrictive copyright laws for the digital environment in the world. Far from providing assistance to the digital marketplace, this law will have a stifling effect on creativity, innovation, consumer rights, and free speech in Canada.
What does this mean, o fellow Canucks? Daryle Moore sums up the everyday things we do that would be illegal:
- Television Recording
- Ripping DVD to computer, jukebox, iPod or anything really.
- Unlocking a service provider locked cell phone
- Ripping CDs for iTunes, RealPlayer, etc.
- Keeping a library of recorded TV shows
- Posting family vacation photo on flickr taken by kind stranger
- Hacking game machines (XBOXs) to install Linux or other software (may be illegal)
- Watching out-of-region-coded DVDs (may be illegal)
This is Not On. I encourage everyone who has a Facebook account to join the "Fair Copyright for Canada" group. If you don't have a Facebook account, please go to Copyright for Canadians which has a listing of your MPs and a form letter you can send by email or snail mail.
Apologies to the non-Canadians for the length of the post. I just think this is much too important to put under a cut. Our decisions for copyright will affect not only fandom but the idea of owning creativity. Copyright was initially created to protect artists but this was a couple hundred years ago before corporations, the Internet and globalisation. The way copyright is going on now will dry up creativity, harming artists instead of supporting them. We need to find a better medium.
Thank you for letting me stand on this lovely soapbox. It is very tall and shiny.