Canada to Get its Own DMCA?

[rjelks]

WASHINGTON - The United States government is using its pressure in an attempt to force Canadian government to align its copyright laws to better suit US interests.

The US Trade Representative released the Special 301 Report which places Canada on it's Watch List for copyright infringing countries.


The Special Report demands that Canada "ratify and implement" the WIPO Internet Treaties and “reform its copyright law so that it provides adequate and effective protection of copyrighted works in the digital environment.”


"The Canadian court decision finding that making files available for copying on a peer-to-peer file sharing service cannot give rise to liability for infringement under existing Canadian copyright law underscores the need for Canada to join nearly all other developed countries in implementing the WIPO Internet Treaties," the Special Report states.


"The United States urges Canada to adopt legislation that is consistent with the WIPO Internet Treaties and is in line with the international standards of most developed countries. Specifically, we encourage Canada to join the strong international consensus by adopting copyright legislation that provides comprehensive protection to copyrighted works in the digital environment, by outlawing trafficking in devices to circumvent technological protection measures, and by establishing a “notice-and-takedown” system to encourage cooperation by ISPs in combating online infringements."


Canadian heritage minister Liza Frulla has recently proposed changes to Canadian copyright law that would allow US companies to sue Canadian Citizens.

[louisgag]

Well, I don't think anybody is surprised that, once again, Washington minds other people's business!

[YWD67]

Man I wonder if Hunter has heard this one yet?
The U.S. tried this about a year ago when they sent Ashcroft, but to push a different kind of change.
Ashcroft tried to get Canada to change its policy about American draft dodges who might go to Canada if the draft was ever put in place again. Last I heard Canada told him in a nice way to go pack snow up his ass.

[The Hunter]

Im here, and yes I did hear of this. The present Canadian goverment is more worried about fighting for its life than anything else. The biggest protection we have is the tax we pay on all recordable media to compensate the poor starving artists.

[moneoa]

The biggest protection we have is the tax we pay on all recordable media to compensate the poor starving artists.We paid it even on Ipods until recently.
Though it protects us it's also in the danger of being quashed especially if we sign the interantional copyright treaties. If the Conservatives even get a minorty shot at the PMO we can expect things like that to happen.

What I want to know is if they would have the arrogance to keep us paying the copy levy if they outlaw most of free use as we know it.

5 bucks say they would...

[Ne007]

yes...the US will force others to pay taxes as it forces it's own citizens to do so. We are all slaves to the US government.

[legendsofaranna]

yes...the US will force others to pay taxes as it forces it's own citizens to do so. We are all slaves to the US government.
We are slaves to them because right now, U.S. is the king of the hill but in the future, China will kick U.S. off the hill and be king himself. Just note that almost everything is made in china, that's why their economy is improving greatly.

[Travis982]

Damn. I was afraid of this. Is nothing sacred to those greedy bastards that they have to continually try to ruin our country too.

I hope our courts tell the U.S. to f*ck off! (Not likely to happen, but satisfying to think about)

[ivand67]

You know in a way this is good (well not really), because now Canadian file sharers won't brag anymore about living in Canada.

You bragged too much, now you're getting your own DMCA. Eat that.

[mountain_rage]

Ivand I hope you realise that just means less files for you because less people are gonna share openly now. And this is rediculous, hopefully with the politicians tied up this will be posponed but I have my doupts. Its really sad I havnt seen a single politician understand what filesharing is and the actual effect it has on these industries. I would for once like to see some young guys in politics who knows something about current events. Instead the system takes years to get someone elected and once they are they know piss all about current events for youth. If you want more youths to vote give them something to vote for and stop trying to cater to the older audiences.

[the great one]

It's a little early to tell if Canada will agree to it.
Either way I'll still fileshare,this doesn't effect me in the least. :icon_thum

[black_magiic]

This would suck so many kinds of ass

[EndGame]

Ivand I hope you realise that just means less files for you because less people are gonna share openly now. And this is rediculous, hopefully with the politicians tied up this will be posponed but I have my doupts. Its really sad I havnt seen a single politician understand what filesharing is and the actual effect it has on these industries. I would for once like to see some young guys in politics who knows something about current events. Instead the system takes years to get someone elected and once they are they know piss all about current events for youth. If you want more youths to vote give them something to vote for and stop trying to cater to the older audiences.


i agree with you Montin_Range. But like you have already stated with the current political climate who knows what will happen. Hopefully Martin stays in power and says no again to the U.S.

[Kungfu_Kenobi]

"... underscores the need for Canada to join nearly all other developed countries in implementing the WIPO Internet Treaties"

No... it underscores that Canada has long held that culture needs to be accessible to all people.

[Kryojenix]

Isn't Paul Martin rather US-friendly? Isn't that why he shoved Chretien out of the way? I'm fwightened .. though I live in Australia where Howard goes straight to Bush's sole ... his shoe sole, to slurp in affection.

I suppose Liberals are better than Conservatives in Canada, but mebbe it's time to vote Green (who are often quite Red)! :D