Stop CDMCA

Tracking the Copyright Consultation Discussion Forum: Final Results

Throughout the copyright consultation, I've been assisted by University of Ottawa student Frances Munn, who has been tracking the discussion in the online forum (earlier updates here, here, and here).  While submissions will still be accepted until midnight tonight, the discussion forum is now closed.   The forum attracted over 2,000 comments with a summary posted below.

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September 15, 2009 Comments are Disabled Stop CDMCA
Canadian Copyright Law: Charting the Change

Canadian Copyright Law: Charting the Change

On this last day of the copyright consulation, I have been amazed by the number of people who have written recently with news of their submission posted on a blog or other site (examples here, here, here, here, here, here, and here).  The government reports that they have received over […]

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September 13, 2009 Comments are Disabled Stop CDMCA

The Copyright Consultation: My Submission

For the past several weeks, I have been summarizing the thousands of copyright consultation submissions.  With only three days left in the consultation, it is time to post my full submission (a short version was posted at the very start of the consultation).  It can be downloaded in PDF form or viewed below.  It only takes a single email to register your views.  Whether you use a form letter or craft your own submission, every submission counts.  Speak out on copyright today.

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September 11, 2009 Comments are Disabled Committees, Stop CDMCA

The Final Copyright Consultation Roundtable Summary: Who Said What

Although the government has still not posted the transcripts from the final two copyright roundtables, all ten have now been completed.  In all, 111 groups and individuals participated.  As the chart below shows, the music and publishing industries led the way with the most representatives, followed by film/movie, creators, collectives, libraries, and academics.  Most groups appeared once, the exceptions being ACTRA and the Songwriters Association of Canada (twice each).

Number of Appearances Groups/Individuals
8
  • Music Industry
  • Publishers
7
  • Film/Movie
  • Copyright Collectives
  • Performers, Artists and Writers
  • Library
  • Academics
  • ISPs
6
  • Civil Society
  • Students
5
  • Business Groups
  • Education
  • Other
4
  • Musicians/Songwriters
  • Museums
  • Broadcasters
  • Lawyers
2
  • First Nations Groups
  • Photographers
  • Software
  • Internet companies
1
  • Archivists
  • Blind

The top issues raised during the roundtables mirror the issues discussed in the thousands of submissions that have been posted online.  These include fair dealing, WIPO ratification, the approach on anti-circumvention, and ISP liability.  Other notable issues included crown copyright, statutory damages, and subject specific recommendations for photographers, archivists, and museums.  A full summary of key messages is posted below.

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September 10, 2009 Comments are Disabled Stop CDMCA

Copyright Consultation Submission Summary: Over 4,000 Posted Through August 31st

There are now over 4,000 posted submissions with the overwhelming majority of them speaking out against Bill C-61, anti-circumvention rules, and for stronger fair dealing (earlier charts here, here, here, and here).  While critics of fair copyright insist on characterizing many as anti-levy or anti-copyright, there have been only five […]

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September 4, 2009 Comments are Disabled Stop CDMCA