|
|
Post by PTH on Jun 12, 2008 21:47:02 GMT -5
Hi all, You should all read up on the new copyright law that the Tories just proposed. IMO it's pretty awful, since many legal activities will now be illegal, or at least impracticable. Above all, the law protects all digital rights management (DRM) schemes, so that a region-encoded DVD can't legally be listened to, and in fact a company can restrict your use of a CD or DVD (or a TV program you wanted to record on a DVR) in whichever way they see fit, even if their DRM goes far beyond copyright. The Bill seems strongly inspired by the American DMCA, which is generally viewed as a mistake - including by at least one of its main authors. This U of O professor has been following this for a while... www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/3025/1/#akocomments_comments_start |
|
|
|
Post by franko on Jun 13, 2008 5:55:58 GMT -5
I think the key word here is "proposed".
It has to go through committee and pass 3 readings. It won't, because the government will fall before the bill passes.
imo, it gives the impression the Tories are "doing something" about illegal downloading and trying to stop "the main culprits" while doing nothing.
About what governments normally do.
|
|
|
|
Post by Polarice on Jun 13, 2008 7:07:47 GMT -5
I think the key word here is "proposed". It has to go through committee and pass 3 readings. It won't, because the government will fall before the bill passes. imo, it gives the impression the Tories are "doing something" about illegal downloading and trying to stop "the main culprits" while doing nothing. About what governments normally do. Yep, they tried this last year and it never made it to the first reading stage, this year will be no different!! |
|
|
|
Post by The New Guy on Jun 13, 2008 12:03:44 GMT -5
I admidt that it may be posturing - Harper has been to try and give the illusion of doing some to appease different groups - but I don't think that's an excuse to sit on our hands for this one. This piece of legislation could very easily change a great deal of things. Not just the internet (where even the simple act of saving a picture to your hard disk could net you a hefty fine) but television (Tivo's, DVR's and even VCR's become useless if a broadcaster wishes to make you watch their shows on their schedules - no more taping hockey games) and even education (pieces of the legislation restrict how an educational institution can use media - media in the case including books, pictures, recorded lectures and performances - in the classroom). Even your privacy becomes an issue (the legislation clearly states that if you believe some piece of encrypted data collected by a company contains personal and private information about you that you may decrypt it to see what they have collected and change the piece of information you do not want released - it then goes on to say how all tools used in decrypting such data are illegal and possession of them subject to nasty fines).
This piece of legislation is nasty. It is inspired by the American Media Industry and does not take in to account the citizens of Canada at all. And I encourage everyone to read up on it, and then tell the government exactly how they feel about such a disgusting piece of legislation.
|
|
|
|
Post by MC Habber on Jun 13, 2008 15:05:11 GMT -5
I echo TNG's thoughts. If anyone hasn't read Lawrence Lessig's Free Culture (available in stores or for free (legally!) online) I highly recommend it. A surprisingly entertaining book which would change the way most people view copyright law (if they read it). |
|
