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U.S. Senators Pressure Canada on Canadian DMCA

An anonymous reader writes "The U.S. copyright lobby brought out some heavy artillery last week as it continued to pressure Canada to introduce a Canadian DMCA. U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Wilkins gave a public talk in which he described Canadian copyright law as the weakest in the G7, while Senators Dianne Feinstein and John Cornyn wrote to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to urge him to bring in movie piracy legislation."

27 of 466 comments (clear)

  1. go home... by udowish · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Sometimes I think the US should just leave the rest of the planet alone. Just because "they" think one thing, doesn't mean it is the case...

    --
    when in doubt press enter and we'll figure it out later..
    1. Re:go home... by Azarael · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Especially because often, when Canada brings it's own complaints to the US, the reponse is, 'other countries don't dictate our policy' or 'stay out of our business'. Let him waste his breath as far as I'm concerned, until he wants to address a legitimate issue.

    2. Re:go home... by cmat · · Score: 5, Insightful

      If Canada wants access to US movies and music then they have to play by our rules. You're also welcome to not shoot your movies up here in Canada to save money, thanks. It'll help us improve our independent movie industry.
      --
      -- Humans, because the hardware IS the software.
    3. Re:go home... by Roger+W+Moore · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The last time I checked there weren't any US tanks rolling through Canadian streets.

      Perhaps not but there are a good few rolling wherever they are using fuel made from Canadian oil. So lets make a deal: you don't tell us what we can do with your movies and we won't tell you what you can do with our oil.

    4. Re:go home... by dargon · · Score: 4, Insightful

      > I wasn't aware that Canada lets all US movie studios come up there and shoot movies
      > for free. I just figured that all the crew up there were actually spending money on
      > local labor, food, electricity and whatever else is needed to shoot a film.

      And I wasn't aware that the US let their movies get shown in Canada for free either. The US hates being told what to do, and they ignore it every chance they get, for example, look at the US / Canada softwood lumber dispute. Each time, one of the governing bodies over the NAFTA agreement says the US has overstepped it's bounds on the tariffs being charged, they simply ignore the ruling and find a different body to say that the tariffs are perfectly fine. Yet, at the same time, they want to dictate how every other country around them runs things. Did the US consult with Mexico or Canada when they decided to change how daylight savings time works? Nope, not at all, they just said screw it and just did it. I'm not saying that the change is a bad thing, but the US is like the big kid on the block, do it my way or fcuk you. This DMCA crap is no different, and given the current quality of American movie productions, I'm perfectly fine if they decide to not show them in Canada, most of them suck anyway, especially given the cost of a ticket these days. Put out a sucky movie, charge a lower price for it, then maybe people will start going back to the theatres, but $10 per adult ticket + $10 for popcorn and a drink = WAY TO EXPENSIVE, especially when someone can wait 3 months, rent it for $5 and buy a 2L of Coke for about a $1.50

  2. May I be so presumptuous? by Kimos · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I think I can speak for most Canadians when I say:
    Please, leave us alone. We can run our own country just fine without you.

    1. Re:May I be so presumptuous? by Pojut · · Score: 5, Funny

      I think I speak for many Americans when I say:
      Please help us, we can't run our country!

    2. Re:May I be so presumptuous? by GeckoX · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You said it much nicer than I would have.

      It should read:

      "Fuck off and run your own god damned country, you fucking hosers, ehh."

      --
      No Comment.
    3. Re:May I be so presumptuous? by chazard · · Score: 5, Informative
      The quote from David Wilkins,

      "There's a lot of pirating that goes on, a lot of counterfeiting of movies and songs" and "it really does cost the Canadian economy a huge amount every year, estimated to be from some 10 to 30 billion (dollars) per year,"

      30 million Canadians

      $30 Billion per year

      $1000 per Canadian

      Seems a little excessive!

      Also to claim that it is costing the Canadian economy is actually the opposite of the truth. If Canadians were spending that much and the money was going towards US companies, then the amount of money exported would increase and the value of the Canadian dollar would drop.

      While if the money is spent on Canadian based items, or investments, it actually benefots the Canadian economy more than anything else.

      Scary thing is that Stevie the Cowboy will likely agree to this...

    4. Re:May I be so presumptuous? by shadowspar · · Score: 4, Funny

      No, it should have been said in both official languages: "Fuck off! / Va te faire foutre!"

      --

      There is a spellbook here; eat it? [ynq]

    5. Re:May I be so presumptuous? by cHALiTO · · Score: 5, Funny

      Heh That would be:

      "Fuck off! / Tabarnak ton camp, criss d'asti de chien sale, man!"

      --
      "Luck is my middle name," said Rincewind, indistinctly. "Mind you, my first name is Bad." -- Terry Pratchett
  3. Screw You... by Spyder_Snyper · · Score: 4, Insightful

    WTF is this??? Once again, the American Senators think they can go about policing the world using blatantly wrong informtion that was provided by people who should not be providing information. I am sickened by the level of stupidity displayed by the US's lawmakers. These people are either voted into office (and we all know how unhackable the Diebold and other eVoting machines are), or are placed there by people who have other agendas. What agendas you ask? The lining of their pockets and subjugation of anyone who doesn't agree with them. I think this happened once before in the course of human history. If I remember correctly, I think this empire was called Rome. Or Roman. (And yes, I AM being exceedingly sarcastic at this time, since 0.001% of the US Senators will know what Rome was...) Thankfully, the Roman Empire collapsed on itself when a bunch of crazy people took control. But it started with just one. And right now, the US has a VERY crazy/insane/retarded President in charge. Perhaps this is the begining of the end...??? I sure hope so.

  4. Re:That Ambassador Sure has a pretty mouth by stinerman · · Score: 4, Funny

    Look to your own house, rigged elections, unethical treatment of prisoners, a base of lies and innaccuracies supporting a personal vendetta/private war.
    Yeah, we have problems, but this is a bit more important. This, my friend, is copyright legislation!
  5. Hmmmmmm by 6-tew · · Score: 5, Insightful

    As a Canadian and a copywrite holder I say, you do what you like there, and we'll do what we like here. It's your country, have fun! But this is our country and we'll do as we damn well please.

    We have more pressing problems. Social problems, economic and political problems. Copywrite? We've got bigger fish to fry.

  6. The US Ambassador is a TROLL by Fox_1 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Every week he seems to make a few comments bashing Canada, usually at public events, and typically without any real justification. Some of these comments are patently false, or non-applicable to the Canadian reality, many of them are mean spirited and seem to be designed to damage the historically good relations between Canada and the US. The guy is single handedly responsible for 78% of the anti- american sentiment in Canada.

    --
    The rock, the vulture, and the chain
  7. David Wilkins.. by d_jedi · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Isn't this the same guy who said that Canada should butt out on Arar being on the no-fly list, because it is an internal US matter?

    Hmm.. surely he has the same attitude towards internal Canadian matters, right? Otherwise, he'd just be hypocritical. Right? Oh, wait..

    --
    I am the maverick of Slashdot
    1. Re:David Wilkins.. by ceoyoyo · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I don't think we objected to him being on the no fly list anyway. I'M on the no fly list! Or at least my name is.

      What we objected to is the US grabbing an innocent Canadian citizen on a stopover in New York and spiriting him away to Syria where he was imprisoned, kept in solitary confinement and tortured.

      If we'd done that to a US citizen I'd probably be speaking American right now!

  8. Re:While I can understand Canadians taking offense by Dr+Caleb · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "It seems to me (and I know I'll get flamed for this) that the US is only trying to protect its exports. This is not an example of bullying or trying to run the whole world."

    Yes, that's exactally what it is. (Of course, you expected to get flamed!). Do you not recall the Slashdot story, where the claim that movies are generally pirated in Canada was false? The RIAA's own information contradicts that assertion:

    http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/02/05/16 6216

    So, this is the RIAA, using it's bought and paid for Senators to try to influence politics in another country. Guess how much US Senators like Canadian politicians giving them advice? (Like 'don't go to Iraq'). About the same as we like US 'Ambassadors' telling us what we should do in our own country.

    --
    "History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme." Mark Twain
  9. I'm American by rolfwind · · Score: 5, Interesting

    and I want to apologize for my country's behavior.

    Canada - please urge your politicians to tell our politicians to go f*** themselves.

    1. Re:I'm American by OAB_X · · Score: 4, Informative

      Actually, I already did tell the politicians to do that.

      But in nice language that they would actually read.

      Oh, and the person to contact is David Emerson Contact Page

      And remember kids, you can mail a letter FREE (no postage required) to the government if you want.

  10. Re:Canada's response by jeevesbond · · Score: 4, Informative

    Should be a giant "shove off" , "get lost" , "stuff it", etc. ...

    The problem is that the response wont be. Steven Harper has a reputation for being a lap-dog of the US/UK.

    The only way to stop Canadian copyright laws being perverted is by taking action. Send letters to your MP, if this becomes a bill in Parliament then see if there's a peaceful protest you can attend. Make the government clearly realise that voters do not want a Canadian DMCA and that current copyright laws (particularly the clauses for 'fair use' this threatens) are good enough.

    There is no compelling reason to have a Canadian DMCA. Harper has been deterred from ditching Kyoto, he can be deterred from this too.

    --
    I'm going to transform myself into a mighty hawk. Either that or I'll just go and work at Dixons, haven't decided yet.
  11. Everyone sing along now... by basic0 · · Score: 5, Funny

    AMERICA! Fuck yeah! Comin' again to save the motherfuckin day yeah! AMERICA! Fuck yeah!

    I'd post the rest of the lyrics, but they're copyrighted.

  12. If you live in California... by DuckWizard · · Score: 4, Informative

    ...please tell Senator Feinstein what you think of the DMCA and her support of it.

    http://feinstein.senate.gov/email.html

  13. Thanks, USA, this will help keep things the same! by BemoanAndMoan · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Never has it been more true than during this shining era of Bush Administration that the world at large has been inclined to take America's advice to change, to "jackboot themselves into line", as an indication they are doing something right. This will only make us Canadians way more likely to loosen, rather than tighten, legislation.

    The thing about your World Stage move from friend to bully is that nobody will take you seriously any more, not unless you pull out your big stick. For 'friends' this stick has always been your deep pockets, but thanks to your recent choices in leadership has been whittled away.

    Before Bush: $1 US = $1.68 CDN. Today: $1 US = $1.16 CDN (and its been as low as $1.10).

    Not such a big stick anymore...top that off with your rough foriegn policy and the increasing ease of global commerce, and suddenly we don't really care so much anymore when you get mad at us.

    And, to be clear, dear Americans, this isn't "the politicians" talking, this is America talking...you vote for them, you let them run your country, they are your voice as surely and purely as anything you say yourselves. Only citizens of a dictatorship get to cry innocent.

    Sooner or later you guys are going to have to take back what your elected weasels have taken from you. Until then, come on up North, we'll watch some downloaded movies, smoke some fine Cuban cigars, do some online gambling, throw rice at a couple of ladies getting married and freeze our asses off (hey, it's still Canada).

  14. Re:Wow... by Icarus1919 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yes, I agree; this is blatantly a statement.

  15. Re:Money talks by multisync · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The US is a huge net exporter of copyrighted materials.


    They are also a net importer of oil from Canada. Maybe it's time to turn off the tap.
    --
    I don't care why you're posting AC
  16. Critics are a better choice. by Beardo+the+Bearded · · Score: 4, Informative

    Not quite. Really close, but not quite. Dave's the Minister for International Trade. You'll want your local MP or the Heritage Ministry. Your local MP may not care that much about you. I'd write to them, sure, but CC them the letter that you're sending to the Heritage Critics.

    In Canada, we actually have a group whose job it is to criticize the actions of the ruling party. We call them "Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition". It is their job and duty to ensure that the ruling party doesn't get too far out of hand.

    The Heritage Minister (for Copyright stuff, including CCRA fees) is The Honourable Beverley J. Oda. You know how we've got a minority government and a multi-party system? Well, poor ol' Bev has no less than THREE people watching and critiquing her every move.

    Charlie Angus, NDP Heritage Critic
    Ms Christina Keeper, Liberal Heritage Critic
    M. Maka Kotto, Bloc Heritage Critic

    You may want to let those critics know that:
    1. You're concerned about the recent lobbying around Bev,
    2. You feel that the critics should be ever watchful about how American interests are attempting to take over Canada's sovereign rights and heritage.
    3. Having American companies dictate when Canadians can use their equipment or listen to Canadian music is unconscionable.

    M. Kotto will likely set Bev on fire. Just make sure you write in French.

    --

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    ECHELON is a government program to find words like bomb, jihad, plutonium, assassinate, and anarchy.