Post Tagged with: "prentice"

Speaking to the Parliamentary IP Caucus

I have been critical of the Parliamentary IP Caucus, so I should be equally quick to praise where appropriate. Tonight I was invited to appear before the caucus and given two full hours to make a presentation and participate in an engaging discussion on copyright. The meeting was well attended with members from all four parties in attendance.

My powerpoint slides are posted below (the first half of the talk covered the same ground as the Copyright Myths presentation I gave a couple of weeks ago). My key messages centred on putting copyright reform in context and getting the key content issues right. From context perspective, I highlighted:

the need to recognize both the importance and limits of copyright
the lack of recent consultation
how Canadian copyright law is not nearly as weak as critics suggest
why the WIPO Internet treaties provide great flexibility in implementation
why focusing on copyright may undermine the efforts to address commercial counterfeiting
how there are many voices expressing concern with a Canadian DMCA approach

I was also asked about my recommendations for reform. I provided nine points:

May 14, 2008 — 4 comments — Committees, News

Conservatives Could Face Long, Hot Copyright Summer

The Hill Times runs a special op-ed (Hill Times version (sub req), homepage version) I wrote that outlines an alternative policy path for the Conservatives on copyright. If the Ottawa rumour mill is correct, Industry Minister Jim Prentice will introduce copyright reform legislation in the next few weeks. The decision to forge ahead with the controversial reform package is a curious one. While the pressure from the United States to act continues to escalate – representatives from the U.S. Embassy paid a visit to the Parliamentary intellectual property caucus last week and caucus members plan to travel to Washington later this month – there are alternatives that would address some of the top intellectual property concerns without subjecting Conservative MPs to a steady stream of criticism throughout the summer from concerned consumers, educators, and businesses.

May 13, 2008 — 4 comments — Columns

Conservatives Could Face Long, Hot Copyright Summer

Appeared in the Hill Times on May 12, 2008 as Conservatives Could Face Long, Hot Copyright Summer If the Ottawa rumour mill is correct, Industry Minister Jim Prentice will introduce copyright reform legislation before the House of Commons breaks for the summer. The decision to forge ahead with the controversial […]

May 13, 2008 — 1 comment — Columns Archive

Records Indicate Government Misusing Crown Copyright

As Industry Minister Jim Prentice prepares to introduce new copyright legislation, crown copyright is unlikely to be part of the reform package. My weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) notes that according to documents obtained under the Access to Information Act, there may be a disturbing reason behind the government's reluctance to address it – crown copyright costs Canadians hundreds of thousands of dollars while being used as a tool to suppress public criticism of government programs.

Dating back to the 1700s, crown copyright reflects a centuries-old perspective that the government ought to control the public's ability to use official documents. Today crown copyright extends for fifty years from creation and it requires anyone who wants to use or republish a government report, parliamentary hearing, or other work to first seek permission. While permission is often granted, it is not automatic. The Canadian approach stands in sharp contrast to the situation in the U.S. where the federal government does not hold copyright over work created by an officer or employee as part of that person's official duties. Government reports, court cases, and Congressional transcripts can therefore be freely used and published.

The existence of crown copyright affects both the print and audio-visual worlds and is increasingly viewed as a barrier to Canadian film making, political advocacy, and educational publishing.

May 12, 2008 — 24 comments — Columns

Records Indicate Government Misusing Crown Copyright

Appeared in the Toronto Star on May 12, 2008 as Crown Copyright is Overdue for Retirement As Industry Minister Jim Prentice prepares to introduce new copyright legislation, crown copyright is unlikely to be part of the reform package. According to documents obtained under the Access to Information Act, there may […]

May 12, 2008 — Comments are Disabled — Columns Archive