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Canada's Music Lobby Buys Government Access

Posted by Zonk on from the they-know-who-you've-been-seeing dept.

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?"

11 of 158 comments (clear)

  1. duh by mastershake_phd · · Score: 5, Funny

    Canada's Music Lobby Buys Government Access
     
    Thats what lobbys do. I say we ban lobbying all together. Who wants to help me lobby for that? Bring money.

    --
    Libertarian Leaning Political Discussion Forum.
  2. Re:Well....... by AutopsyReport · · Score: 4, Funny

    Our bacon is the way, the truth, and the life.

    --

    For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother.

  3. Re:Sometimes I hate living in America Jr. by delirium28 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Screw that! I say we let Quebec seperate and then move to Quebec for our pirating needs. While they may be vocal, they are also pretty good at keeping rights alive.

    --
    Who is John Galt?
  4. Canadian Supreme Court by Imexius · · Score: 4, Interesting

    If I remember correctly hadn't the Canadian Supreme court already decided that downloading music for personal use was within our rights? If that's the case then can't we rely on that case as a precedent to help render this presumed upcoming law void? http://www.cirpa.ca/Page.asp?PageID=122&ContentID= 824&SiteNodeID=66

    --
    find / -iname life 2> /dev/null Error: Life could not be found
    1. 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.
  5. Dam, I voted for her too... by shlinton · · Score: 5, Informative

    http://www.bevoda.ca/contact.htm Contact Bev: Bowmanville Office: 68 King Street East Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3X2 Phone: (905) 697-1699 Fax: (905) 697-1678 Ottawa Office: House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 Phone: (613) 992-2792 Fax: (613) 992-2794 Email: Oda.B@parl.gc.ca From her own website....

  6. The CRIA is not a Canadian organization by Rix · · Score: 5, Informative

    It's just a branch office of the American RIAA. The group that represents Canadian artists is the Canadian Music Creators Coalition.

  7. Re:Ummm.... by Pxtl · · Score: 4, Interesting

    RTFAs - she meets with the CRIA but won't meet with any other relevant organizations (such as consumer rights groups or Canadian artists groups).

  8. 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.
  9. Same Minister responsible for Net Neutrality by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    For your information -- this same minister is in bed with CanWest Global (our largest news service) and even had one of their employees planning fundraisers for her. She is also the same minister along with Maxime Bernier that is responsible for Net Neutrality in Canada. If you're Canadian and want to help -- check out Charlie Angus's three-point-plan to ensure the ethical sobriety of the heritage minister. Mp3 here If you want to help the Net Neutrality movement and are a Canadian you can sign the petition at neutrality.ca These cabmins that take money from industries they oversee need to be held accountable for their actions.

  10. 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.