Archive for September 2nd, 2008

61 Reforms to C-61, Day 52: Education Internet Exception Is Harmful

The Internet exception is more than just unnecessary – it is harmful.  First, rather than improving access, the exception will actually encourage people to take content offline or to erect barriers that limit access (including DRM).  Section 30.04(3) provides that:

Subsection (1) does not apply if the work or other subject-matter – or the Internet site where it is posted – is protected by a technological measure that restricts access to the work or other subject-matter or to the Internet site.

In other words, in return for the exception, CMEC and AUCC has effectively pushed the government to include a provision that encourages creators to use DRM or restrict access to their work. Many website owners who may be entirely comfortable with non-commercial or limited educational use of their materials, may object to a new law that grants the education community unfettered (and uncompensated) usage rights.  Accordingly, many sites may opt out of the exception by making their work unavailable to everyone.  This is obviously a lose-lose scenario that arises directly out of the exception.

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September 2, 2008 5 comments News

Prentice Focuses on New Media, Networks As Research Priorities

Industry Minister Jim Prentice today accepted the recommendations for specific research priorities as part of Canada's Science & Technology Strategy.  Identified sub-priorities include new media, wireless and broadband networks, as well as telecom equipment.

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September 2, 2008 2 comments News

Duceppe Points To Copyright As Area of Disagreement

Howard Knopf notes that disagreement over the copyright bill [MP3 version of CBC World At Six] was one of the issues specifically raised Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe's meeting last week with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, increasing the likelihood that copyright could emerge as an issue during the forthcoming election campaign.

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September 2, 2008 2 comments News

C-61 on Campus

Students return to school this week to be greeted by a series of articles critical of the soon-to-be defunct Bill C-61 (Ubessey, The Strand).

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September 2, 2008 2 comments News

Consumer Electronics Industry on Copyright Reform

Frank Lenk highlights the dangers of C-61 to the consumer electronics industry in a piece for MarketNews.

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September 2, 2008 1 comment News