1. How do Canada’s copyright laws affect you? How should existing laws be modernized?

Canada’s copyright laws are currently acceptable and largely unobtrusive, and they should stay that way. I don’t believe they need to be modernized any further whatsoever and are already among the best in the world. Canada needs to ensure that consumers own their personally purchased media and are able to dictate it’s use as they see fit. This means “no” to DRM, “no” to vague fair-use exceptions, and “no” to catering to greedy corporate entities that mask their obsession with money by passing it off as caring for artists. They don’t care about anyone except their accountants, and least of all – the Canadian public.

2. Based on Canadian values and interests, how should copyright changes be made in order to withstand the test of time

Keep media free of DRM. Continue to charge a levy on blank media to offset the cost of pirating (which is suspect to actually costing anything – if anything promoting profit). Pay more attention to what Canadians want, and less to corporations that refuse to innovate. Stop being swayed by US pressure – contrary to their opinion and our actions, we are not yet the 51st state. Realize that middlemen do not have a valid place in the digital future we’re already in. No business model is perpetually relevant, and the days of the record executive are quickly fading into obscurity – so don’t pander to their dying gasps at the expense of Canadians. Has anyone lamented the death of the blacksmith? The tanner? The lamplighter? When a business industry dies, it means that something better has replaced it.

3. What sorts of copyright changes do you believe would best foster innovation and creativity in Canada?

Maintaining consumer friendly laws are key to promoting and sustaining growth in the industries served by copyright. Prosecution and restrictive protection only further alienate the customer from the product that lobbyists are attempting (pathetically) to protect. Keep away from the prohibitionist mindset and reject the totalitarian pressure to conform to our greedy neighbours to the south. Know that copyright was never created as a “make something of questionable quality once and live on royalties the rest of your days”. Understand that quality art is best created when it stems from a love of sense, not cents. Money and art are ignoble bedfellows.

4. What sorts of copyright changes do you believe would best foster competition and investment in Canada?

Focus on digital development and legal online offerings. Encourage artists to produce and distribute their own material. Offer grants and bursaries and money that would otherwise line executive pockets from the spoils of artist exploitation. Promote festivals and live showcases across the country to expose talent and spread the word. Favor independent labels and artists over entities attempting to monopolize the market with their infinite capital and bottom-line obsessions. Abandon the oppressive Bill C-61 – it’s nothing but a leash the US has placed on us, clearly showing Canadians that our government thinks we’re but dogs.

5. What kinds of changes would best position Canada as a leader in the global, digital economy?

Let go of dying business models and embrace the majority consensus of the population, not the corporate minority. We want our media to be easily accessible, without restriction upon legitimate ownership, and free from oppressive oversight. Don’t be afraid of differing from other countries and being consumer friendly. Encourage media to be offered at a market price more in line with the quality offered and the value the public places on it. If millions of otherwise law-abiding people are engaging in an illegal activity, realize there is a reason and don’t allow or pursue the prosecution of those that are forging the way to a new future of free information – with or without you. And as since the government’s whole existence is purported to be for the people, it would be better if you were with us. Otherwise it undermines everything you do, and the people distrust government enough already.

All good.Keep it as it is.Don’t get pressured from USA.

2.Based on Canadian values and interests, how should copyright changes be made in order to withstand the test of time

We have levy fee on cd’s /dvds is that is not good enought.Then make a monthly fee -download as much as you want.

3.What sorts of copyright changes do you believe would best foster innovation and creativity in Canada?

None.No DRM.For personal use is good.

4.What sorts of copyright changes do you believe would best foster competition and investment in Canada?

Dunno.Low prices.Can copy for own use own stuff.

5. What kinds of changes would best position Canada as a leader in the global, digital economy?

Not changes as USA does for sure.
Make it cheap products -advertising and marketing of them.Buy one get 2nd free.
Discounts.Make all products with tax iclued so you see the final price with taxes.