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Canada May Ratify WIPO Copyright Treaty

Posted by michael on from the some-imports-should-be-stopped-at-the-border dept.

rocjoe71 writes "It appears the Government of Canada might be ratifying the WIPO copyright treaty, which will surely bring an end to our P2P downloading heydays. Among the measures that could be enforced by ratifying WIPO would force ISPs to comply with a 'notice and takedown' system against subscribers who violate copyright laws... As we speak RIAA lawyers are amassing on the Canada-U.S. border, ready for an all-out invasion."

4 of 46 comments (clear)

  1. Right, enabling legislation... by Hamster+Lover · · Score: 3, Informative

    would have to pass the House, head to committee pass third reading and then to the Senate. If it even makes it to committee I would be surprised.

    Also, notice no mention was made of outlawing technologies that could disable digital rights systems, something a previous Commons committee report on copyright strongly advised against.

  2. I saw this comming... by Steamhead · · Score: 4, Insightful

    As a Canadian I can see that our two cultures are too intertwined for this not to happen, we usually pride ourselves on not being American, but we are always only a few years behind.

    I suppose its truly time to move to Europe...

  3. ISPs, Policing Copyright and Existing Taxes by zrafnid · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Here we go again. If the Gov't wants to make ISPs responsible for the actions of their users, I certainly hope they're planning on providing some payment for the time it will take.

    Effectively, the action suggested in the article would make an ISP a branch of law enforcement - requiring them to comply with orders to disable user accounts and, probably, pay penalties for non-compliance with such orders.

    I now question, quite strongly, the reason there are taxes on blank CDs, DVDs, Video Tapes, and other storage media. I had believed that this tax was to go directly to SOCAN (the Canadian RIAA equivalent) to ensure that artists were compensated for copies of their materials. If they now believe that any person downloading a song that they already own is a target for prosecution, I don't think I'll be too keen on paying those taxes. Time to talk to the MP in these parts, I guess.

  4. CONTACT THEM NOW by Medgur · · Score: 5, Informative

    When this came up last spring I contacted ministers responsible with a short message detailing my distaste for WIPO and attempted to explain in layman's terms just why it's a very bad idea. Their response came down to "this is what the CRIA wants" padded in beuracratic bull shit. I thought this might have disappeared with Hélène Scherrer being voted out, but I see now this was wishful thinking.

    Still, we can make a difference if we contact them and explain in simple yet clear terms why it's bad. By Canadian law they must respond to your email, so at the very least you know someone is reviewing it, and if enough people write in we can probably enact some change.

    So, here's the important info:

    The email address for the Heritage Committee: HERI@parl.gc.ca

    The email address for Heritage Minister Liza Frulla (head of the committee): Frulla.L@parl.gc.ca

    The web site for the Heritage Committee (Gee, seems like all they care about is copyright. Nice doublespeak): http://www.parl.gc.ca/committee/CommitteeHome.aspx ?CommitteeId=8974&Lang=1&ParlSession=381&SelectedE lementId=e17_

    And for future reference, in case you're wondering where I get all this
    information from:
    The list of members of the House of Commons, with contact information:
    http://www.parl.gc.ca/common/senmemb /house/members /CurrentMemberList.asp?Language=E&Parl=37&Ses=1&Se ct=Hoccur&Order=OrganizationName

    It will only take 5 minutes, go write them!
    Even if you're not Canadian, the message will still be read, so go write them!