Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore delivered a keynote address at a conference sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce's IP Council today and according to media reports warned against "radical extremists" seeking to oppose Bill C-32. It should be obvious to virtually everyone that labeling those that seek reforms to a copyright bill as "radical extremists" is an embarrassing slander that should be promptly retracted. While there are undoubtedly some that oppose the bill altogether (just as there are some that want tougher reforms including three strikes), characterizing those concerned with a copyright bill in this manner is wholly inappropriate for a cabinet minister.
So when Moore warns about radical extremists opposing C-32, who is he speaking of? Who has criticized parts of the bill or called for reforms? A short list of those critical of the digital lock provisions in C-32 would include:
- Liberal MPs
- NDP MPs
- Bloc MPs
- Green Party
- Canadian Consumer Initiative
- Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
- Canadian Association of University Teachers
- Canadian Federation of Students
- Canadian Library Association
- Business Coalition for Balanced Copyright
- Retail Council of Canada
- Canadian Bookseller Association
- Documentary Organization of Canada
