JULY 22, 2009 UPDATE
One year after Bill C-61 generated considerable criticism from the Canadian public, the government has launched a public consultation on copyright that several ways to ensure that the public voice is heard. There is a direct submission process, an online discussion forum, and a calendar that includes information on roundtables (by invitation only) and public town halls (the public can register for the town halls to be held in Montreal and Toronto). The site features an RSS feed, there will be audio/video transcripts of the roundtables, and there is even an official twitter feed.
The consultation features five key questions:
1. How do Canada’s copyright laws affect you? How should existing laws be modernized?
2. Based on Canadian values and interests, how should copyright changes be made in order to withstand the test of time?
3. What sorts of copyright changes do you believe would best foster innovation and creativity in Canada?
4. What sorts of copyright changes do you believe would best foster competition and investment in Canada?
5. What kinds of changes would best position Canada as a leader in the global, digital economy?
In a nutshell, the government is asking Canadians to describe why copyright matters, how to ensure that reforms remain relevant, and what reforms would best foster innovation, creativity, and competition.
The process is open to everyone and this is the ideal opportunity to ensure that Canadians voices are heard. The government has not consulted on copyright since 2001 and this consultation represents both a crucial opportunity and a potential threat. While Canadians can ensure that the government understands that copyright matters and that a balance is needed, some groups will undoubtedly use the consultation to push for a return of Bill C-61. Indeed, the recording industry has already said that that bill did not go far enough. That means we could see pressure for a Canadian DMCA, a three-strikes and you're out process, and the extension of the term of copyright to eat into the public domain.
Countering those calls will require broad participation. To help foster that participation, now is the time to speak out.
You can learn more at:
The Official Consultation site – http://www.copyrightconsultation.ca
SpeakOutOnCopyright.ca – http://www.speakoutoncopyright.ca
Fair Copyright for Canada – http://www.faircopyrightforcanada.ca
Take Action Today:
1. Submit your comments on Canadian copyright before the September 13, 2009 deadline at info@copyrightconsultation.gc.ca.
2. Notify your Facebook friends and Twitter followers to speak out on copyright.
3. Join a Facebook local chapter:
Calgary - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7146413223
Central Nova, NS - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=11017946398
Edmonton - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6875186988
Guelph -
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=17214388909
Halifax - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22103140253
Hamilton - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=21930551981
Kingston - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20040175987
Kitchener-Waterloo - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9746696236
Lethbridge, Alberta –
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20889695763
London - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20557699016
Montreal - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6443649882
New Brunswick - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7391140348
Newfoundland - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7244768075
Ottawa - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6572544287
Saskatchewan - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7682623701
Toronto - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=28877190256
Vancouver - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8172281301
Victoria - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=16292050042
Windsor/Essex County - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20382166520
Winnipeg/Manitoba - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6938787545
York Region - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8460346793
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ORIGINAL DECEMBER 2007 DESCRIPTION
In December 2007, it became apparent that the Canadian government was about to introduce new copyright legislation that would have been a complete sell-out to U.S. government and lobbyist demands. The new Canadian legislation was to have mirrored the U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act with strong anti-circumvention legislation that goes far beyond what is needed to comply with the World Intellectual Property Organization's Internet treaties. Moreover, it was not going to address the issues that concern millions of Canadians.
This group was formed to help ensure that the government hears from concerned Canadians. It features news about the bill, tips on making the public voice heard, and updates on local events. With regular postings and links to other content, it also provides a central spot for people to learn more about Canadian copyright reform.
Within weeks, thousands of Canadians joined this group and promoted fair copyright in Canada. As of January 2008, the bill has not been introduced, though there are indications that Industry Minister Jim Prentice plans to push forward with a Canadian DMCA once Parliament resumes. If true, Canadians must continue to press their elected officials to listen to the concerns of Canadians on digital copyright.
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