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U.S. Copyright Report More Rhetoric Than Reality

Posted by Zonk on from the more-bark-than-bite dept.

CanuckGamer writes "Michael Geist has up a great article debunking the U.S. 'Special 301' report that is set to be released this week. The annual copyright report criticizes dozens of countries on their copyright practices, yet Geist notes that the policies are subject to growing criticism within the U.S. and that few countries are actually listening since most ignore the recommendations. 'While the report will generate media headlines and cries for immediate action from Industry Minister Maxime Bernier and Canadian Heritage Minister Bev Oda, the reality is that Canada's record on intellectual property protection meets international standards. Moreover, differences between the U.S. and Canadian economies - the U.S. is a major exporter of cultural products and has therefore unsurprisingly made stronger copyright protection a core element of its trade strategy while Canada is a net importer of cultural products with a billion dollar annual culture deficit - means that U.S.-backed reforms may do more harm than good.'"

2 of 123 comments (clear)

  1. Re:What Canada should say to the US by dykofone · · Score: 4, Interesting
    I'm an American, but it's this oil thing that has made me actually consider moving to Canada:

    http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0872964.html

    Canada has the world's second largest oil reserve after Saudi Arabia. Why are they importing instead of exporting right now? Because oil is currently dirt cheap, compared to what it will be in 20 years. Canada is just sitting back, watching the world tear itself apart over oil, all the while not sharing what they have.

    Watch it, Canada will be the new superpower in a couple decades. That, or we'll just invade them.

  2. Re:What Canada should say to the US by TubeSteak · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Why are they importing instead of exporting right now? Because oil is currently dirt cheap, compared to what it will be in 20 years. Canada is just sitting back, watching the world tear itself apart over oil, all the while not sharing what they have.
    If you knew anything about the oil business, you'd know that Canada's oil reserves are locked up in tar sands and under peat bogs. Oil prices have to stay over $60/barrel for Canada to remain a viable source of oil.

    Watch it, Canada will be the new superpower in a couple decades. That, or we'll just invade them.
    http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1614 000,00.html
    Estimates of Iraq's oil reserves have recently been doubled.
    The US already invaded them, so I think Canada is safe for a while yet.
    --
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