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Behind the Scenes of Canada's Movie Piracy Law
An anonymous reader writes "Michael Geist's latest Toronto Star column features a behind-the-scenes look at how Canada got its movie piracy bill based on internal government documents obtained under the Access to Information Act. Few will be shocked to learn that Hollywood lobbyists provided draft legislation months earlier as part of their barrage of lobbying, though the documents show that advisers to the Minister were skeptical that the proposal would accomplish anything. From the article: 'The industry's lobby efforts were clearly successful. Ignoring the inconsistent claims, the absence of evidence that Canadian films are being affected, the contrary internal advice, and the bracing reality that Hollywood has acknowledged that the U.S. is by far the largest source of illegal camcording worldwide notwithstanding its movie piracy legislation, Bill C-59 is expected to sail through Parliament. In doing so, Ottawa is sending Canadians two messages. The first is what drew the industry standing ovation - unauthorized camcording will not be tolerated in Canada even if it means diverting law enforcement resources from health and safety issues to movie theatres. The second is that private meetings, foreign pressures and lobbyist drafted bills is how law gets made in Canada.'"
This isn't about your dignity. What do you bring with you to a movie that is so embarrasing? This is being blown way out of proportion. Think about why the Government did what it did. It did this to "please" the American film industry as well as the California Government. Sure you may see spot checks like you do with drinking and driving - Big deal. This is the price we pay to see a movie. But I guarantee this will be nothing more than a nuisance in our lives.
The bigger story should be about the millions of people who pay good money to see these movies. Thousands of people put in millions of dollars to invest in this industry. Governments spend millions of dollars to subsidize this industry. Hundreds of thousands of people work in this industry. And some scumbag with a camera is going to come in film and sell this movie for profit? What gives him the right to steal the movie?
Don't blame the Governments or industries for spoiling your experience - with regard to this new camera law - blame the scumbag with the camera. Now if you want to complain about prices we pay for a movie that's another story. I agree the prices are high but that's more about the human condition. People at the top are greedy.... $20 million for an actor.....COME ON!!! and the price scale is pretty outta wack at the top of the pack of the business side too!!!...People at the bottom (us), keep our mouths shut and we keep spending our hard earned money to watch a movie at any price without so much as a peep. But that's totally off topic....and for another day...