When Industry Minister Jim Prentice tries to justify a Canadian DMCA, he frequently claims that the business community is demanding these reforms. Sources report that this afternoon, a powerhouse group of companies and business associations in Canada spoke up for fair and balanced copyright. The Business Coalition for Balanced Copyright […]
Post Tagged with: "Copyright Canada"
Canadian Library Association Launches Copyright Advocacy Kit
The Canadian Library Association has launched a new copyright advocacy kit. The kit includes a good backgrounder on copyright reform, a sample letter for MPs, and some tips for those meeting directly with their elected representatives.
WIPO and Canada’s Obligations
Howard Knopf again focuses on the legal implications (or non-implications) of Canada having signed the WIPO Internet treaties.
Broadcasters Claim Copyright at the Breaking Point
The Canadian Association of Broadcasters, which represents television and radio broadcasters across the country, has jumped into the copyright reform debate. In an op-ed in this week's Hill Times, CAB President Glenn O'Farrell warns that radio broadcasters are at the breaking point on copyright, pointing to escalating tariffs that could […]
Prentice’s Failure to Communicate
Industry Minister Jim Prentice paid a visit to the University of Calgary on Friday to give a lecture at the law school on policy making. In the question and answer period that followed, the majority of questions focused on copyright (Part One, Part Two) [update: The Distant Librarian has posted a video of the full talk and Q&A period]. Prentice's responses provide five important insights:
First, despite the enormous opposition to a Canadian DMCA, Prentice continues to rely on a communication strategy based on tired claims about the WIPO Internet treaties and how copyright is a "framework" law in Canada. A Canadian DMCA will face opposition from consumer groups, education groups, creator groups, and business groups. Prentice is going to have come up with a much better communication strategy to justify a one-sided copyright law.
Second, Prentice will respond to concerns about the lack of consultation by claiming that there has been extensive consultation, pointing to the 2001 public consultation and several Parliamentary committee reports. This claim does not withstand even mild scrutiny.
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