Sudbury Star and St. Catharines Standard warn that legislation will "make Canada a nation of criminals." The Brantford Examiner notes that "groups are moving swiftly (and in most cases, behind closed doors) to bring laws very similar to the DMCA's to Canada." Positive Toronto Star editorial is greeted with an avalanche of critical letters.
The Press is Not Impressed With Copyright Bill
Tags: copyright / Copyright Canada / Copyright Microsite - Mainstream Media Coverage / dmca / prentice / press coverage
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Statutory Fines
I’m surprised that the issue of what “statutory fines” hasn’t been raised.
In other words, with statutory fines of $500 maximum, a company could sue me for $500 for making a grainy copy of something, with arguably minimal damage to them without proving any real damages to the court. The “maximum” basically means that they _could_ ask for less, but good luck with that.
It’s hard enough to sue a shady contractor or vendor for more than actual losses that I would also have to prove to a court, why should copyright infringement be any different?
Burden of Proof
Correct me if I’m wrong: If they cannot legally come into your home and check your computer for imported music, then how are they going to prove you imported it? This is just making trouble for our police departments, who are already dealing with other issues. They are overwhelmed as it is, why cause them more trouble?
the waste
Well, I believe the ridiculously intrusive ACTA Agreement will take care of how they are going to enforce this. Once they force ISP’s to spy and report on users, it seems to me the govt should have no trouble showing up at your door and confiscating your “goods.” It’s beyond me how a minority government can even be involved in making decisions on such an important issue.
Also, what happens if you have say a “fire” and the police show up and notice you have a few backups lying around. Are they going to be obligated to lock you up and throw away the key? This is lunacy. The only way to enforce this policy, will be total government intrusion and absolute loss of all privacy rights.
Moreover, what are Canadians supposed to do with the millions and millions and millions of legal backup materials they already have made? I guess it’s time to throw all this toxic material into the dumps or risk life in jail? Here’s to the conservatives great environmental policy. I could understand strict fines for bootleggers and people making this material widely available, but leave the regular personal use citizens alone.
Minor Pet Peeve
FYI, correct spelling is St. Catharines, not St. Catherines, and the Standard has never been much of a rag though it’s a good sign when even op eds from the sticks seem to agree that this bill is stupid.