Post Tagged with: "captain copyrightCopyright Microsite – Canadian Copyright"

The End of Captain Copyright

Digital Copyright Canada is first out to note that Access Copyright has pulled the plug on Captain Copyright.  The Captain generated enormous criticism earlier this year when the lessons, which targeted children as young as Grade One, came to light.  Access Copyright suggests that it is too difficult in the […]

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February 5, 2007 2 comments News

Access Copyright’s Statement on Captain Copyright

Access Copyright has posted a detailed statement on the Captain Copyright controversy. It claims that it always intended to provide a balanced perspective on copyright.  To that end, it says it is working with copyright experts and educators to review the current materials and to create new lessons on issues such as the public domain, fair dealing, and Creative Commons.  It also claims that its linking policy was misunderstood – its now says it was about protecting kids from inappropriate content – and that it being redrafted.  The statement concludes by saying that the site will be relaunched later this year and invites the Canadian Library Association, which has condemned the site, to work with them.

While a cynic might suggest that the change is attitude is due primarily to the growing number of schools that dropped links to Captain Copyright, to its desire for government funding, and to the public bashing from the CLA, it is good to see that Access Copyright is committed to making changes.   However, three small points in response to the statement.

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August 15, 2006 1 comment News

Captain Copyright and the Search for Taxpayer Funding

Captain Copyright, the much-criticized Access Copyright initiative, generated some discussion this week with the release of a public letter from the Canadian Library Association.  The CLA letter, which is consistent with its resolutions on Captain Copyright adopted in June, calls on Access Copyright to "withdraw the site until the broader copyright community can assist Access Copyright in implementing an unbiased and balanced presentation of the rights of creators, rights-holders and users."

The letter was copied to Canadian Heritage Minister Bev Oda, which makes sense given that documents just obtained under the Access to Information Act reveal that Access Copyright has been looking to Canadian Heritage to provide funding for the Captain Copyright campaign.  On May 1, 2006, an internal memo was sent to the Director General of Cultural Industries indicates that Access Copyright was seeking funding for Captain Copyright and recommending that the matter be discussed by senior management.  No word yet on whether the government provided the requested cash. Access Copyright will have to get in line for "copyright education" funding, however.

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August 10, 2006 2 comments News

The Pig and the Box

In a direct response to Access Copyright's Captain Copyright, a Victoria writer and artist has produced The Pig and the Box, a short children's story designed to foster the values of sharing.  Indeed, the work is available under a Creative Commons licensed and the author advises that it has already […]

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July 15, 2006 1 comment News