The government today introduced Bill C-28, the Fighting Internet and Wireless Spam Act. The bill carries a new name from the old Bill C-27 (which was titled the Electronic Commerce Protection Act), but the bill is roughly the same as the bill that passed the House of Commons last year. […]
Archive for May 25th, 2010
Government Tables Anti-Spam and Privacy Reform Bills
The government has tabled two bills this morning focused on Internet and technology issues: C-28: Fighting Internet and Wireless Spam Act and C-29: Safeguarding Canadians’ Personal Information Act. More information and analysis to follow.
Seven Copyright Questions for Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore
My op-ed in this week's Hill Times (HT version (sub req), homepage version) notes that with reports that a new copyright bill could be introduced this week, thousands of Canadians have been expressing concern with the government's plans, as there are mounting fears that the results from last summer's copyright consultation may be shelved in favour of a repeat of the much-criticized Bill C-61.
The foundational principle behind C-61 was the primacy of digital locks. When a digital lock (often referred to as digital rights management or technological protection measure) is used – to control copying, access or stifle competition – the lock supersedes virtually all other rights. The fight over the issue has pitted the tech-savvy Industry Minister Tony Clement, who has reportedly argued for a flexible implementation, against Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore, who has adopted what many view as an out-of-touch approach that would bring back the digital lock provisions virtually unchanged.
Moore has declined to comment on his position, but his approach raises some difficult questions: