U.S. Copyright Report More Rhetoric Than Reality

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.'"

Comments

The Shat you say?

[xxxJonBoyxxx]

Canada is a net importer of cultural products with a billion dollar annual culture deficit...

Is that with or without William Shatner?

What Canada should say to the US

[kilgortrout]

You need our oil more than we need your movies:

http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/petroleum/data_ publications/company_level_imports/current/import. html

Now go piss off.

Re:What Canada should say to the US

[dykofone]

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.

Re:What Canada should say to the US

[Bullfish]

The republicans wouldn't stand for invading and annexing Canada. If you consider that the Canadian conservatives are to the left of the US democratic party, in the long run, it would lead to the addition of about 30 million democrat voters. Better to buy them out.

Boo!

[Itninja]

Good thing the headline isn't slanted or editorialized. Oh wait....

Extending copyright is important

[$RANDOMLUSER]

Life of the author plus 70 years. For corporate works, 95 years from date of publication or 120 tears from date of creation, whichever is shorter. Of course, most authors are incorporated and the corporation holds the copyright. The whole world needs to use this formula - because Sony and Disney and George Lucas aren't making enough money.

Re:A billion-dollar cultural deficit?

[Lockejaw]

Using the term "cultural deficit" doesn't seem quite right -- it implies that the USA has a cultural surplus.

Damn Canadians

[Bullfish]

They just keep acting like they are a whole other country!

Re:A billion-dollar cultural deficit?

[ohearn]

Heck it assumes the US has a culture. //takes toungue out of cheek

Re:the U.S. is a major exporter of cultural produc

[teh_chrizzle]

the U.S. is a major exporter of cultural crap.

the U.S. is a major exporter of crap.

there, i fixed it for you :-)