In one of the strangest responses to C-32 yet, Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore told the House of Commons yesterday that consumers are supportive of C-32 and cites as evidence the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber describes itself as Canada's largest and most influential business association and makes no pretense of representing consumer interests. The exchange:
Archive for June 15th, 2010
Moore Says Chamber of Commerce Support Evidence Consumers Like C-32
Clement Interview on TVO’s Search Engine
TVO's Search Engine features a detailed interview with Industry Minister Tony Clement on Bill C-32. Clement is clearly sensitive to the concerns associated with digital locks in the bill, though his suggestion that the new provision on ephemeral recordings would allow broadcasters to circumvent locks for news reporting does not […]
Magic Seals Are Made to be Broken
Ivor Tossell's column in the Globe and Mail focuses on Bill C-32 and the problems with the digital lock provisions found in the bill.
Fixing Bill C-32: Proposed Amendments to the Digital Lock Provisions
My five-part series on the problems associated with the digital lock provisions in Bill C-32 identified many potential changes to strike a more balanced compromise (Parts One, Two, Three, Four, Five or single PDF). Several people have asked for specific legislative language for what I have in mind. Together with my research assistant Keith Rose, we've drafted language that builds on the recommendations contained in the series on 32 Questions and Answers on C-32's Digital Lock Provisions. The legislative language is available as a PDF download.
The primary solution that many have discussed involves permitting circumvention for lawful purposes. As I've discussed, this approach is compliant with the WIPO Internet Treaties, provides legal protection for digital locks, and maintains the copyright balance. There are at least two possible approaches. The first would involve amending the definition for circumvent to account for only infringing purposes:
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