Peter Nowak has a great interview with Maxime Gagne, a lawyer with Heenan Blaikie who represents video game developers. Asked specifically about an exception to the Bill C-11 digital lock rules for private use, Gagne states: I haven’t seen the exception but there could be ways that it’s crafted that […]
Post Tagged with: "digital locks"
The Daily Digital Lock Dissenter, Day 21: Privacy Commissioner of Canada
If DRM technologies only controlled copying and use of content, our Office would have few concerns. However, DRM technologies can also collect detailed personal information from users, who often do no more than access the content on a computer. This information is transmitted back to the copyright owner or content provider, without the consent or knowledge of the user. Although the means exist to circumvent these technologies and thus prevent the collection of this information, previous proposals to amend the Copyright Act contained anti-circumvention provisions.
Commissioner Stoddart has not commented on the adequacy of the personal information exception in Bill C-11, but there is reason for concern.
The Problem With Digital Locks
The National Post runs a masthead editorial that tears apart the digital lock rules in Bill C-11, describing the bill as a “flawed piece of legislation” that the government should either kill or amend on its own initiative. It argues: Preventing consumers from playing material that they have paid for, […]
Conservative MP on C-11’s Digital Lock Rules: No Risk of Liability for Breaking Locks
If a digital lock is broken for personal use, it is not realistic that the creator would choose to file a law suit against the consumer, due to legal fees and time involved.
In other words, Canadians should not be concerned by digital lock rules because they can simply break the lock without fear of being sued. Richardson’s response raises several issues.
First, it is surprising to find Conservatives seeking support for their bill on the basis that Canadians need not worry about liability if they violate its provisions. Copyright reform is supposedly about updating Canada’s copyright rules and fostering greater respect for copyright law. Yet the message from Richardson suggests the opposite since Canadians will have less respect for copyright law as even their MPs tell them they need not fear violating the law given the minimal likelihood of a lawsuit.
Copyright Reform and the Case of Illicit T-Shirts
Jesse Kline has an notable op-ed in the National Post that criticizes Bill C-11’s digital lock rules. The column notes that just because someone breaks a digital lock does not mean they are infringing someone’s copyright.
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