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Canada's Music Lobby Buys Government Access

An anonymous reader writes "Copyfighting law professor Michael Geist, who previously uncovered financial links between recording industry lobbyists and Canada's Minister of Canadian Heritage Bev Oda (who is responsible for copyright policy), has now identified what big cash donations will get you. He reports that Oda met with the President of the Canadian Recording Industry Association on a monthly basis last year just as the government was preparing copyright reform legislation and Canadian artists were calling for an end to P2P lawsuits. Is it any wonder that Canadians seem likely to lose their fair use rights?"

3 of 158 comments (clear)

  1. My letter to my MP by saskboy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    http://www.abandonedstuff.com/2007/01/15/fairusefi re/

    It's important all Canadians write their MP and educate them about the CRIA shenanigans.

    --
    Saskboy's blog is good. 9 out of 10 dentists agree.
  2. Re:Canadian Supreme Court by Jabrwock · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The SCC ruled that, but they were basing their decision on the laws of the time (ie fair use and other relevant sections of the Copyright Act). If the government ammends the Copyright Act to remove or restrict fair use, there's not much the SC can do, since media consumption isn't a right mentioned in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms...

    If they neglect to remove fair use though, it would be a valid argument against such a law. I'm assuming a DMCA challenge would be easier in Canada, because of that. They can't deny you the tools to be able to exercise your right to fair use, afterall...

    --
    Magic doesn't work in my presence. My power of disbelief is too strong.
  3. Re:Sometimes I hate living in America Jr. by quax · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Frankly it should be. And no I am not a French speaker. I am German and currently live in Toronto. My French is unfortunately pretty poor but Canada is supposed to be a bilingual country. I am tired of all those English speakers who seem to think it is such a terrible burden to learn another language. Mastering another language greatly enriches your life - stop acting like babies. Grow up and get over it.