Privacy Commissioner Criticizes Canadian DMCA

I Don't Believe in Imaginary Property writes "Jennifer Stoddart, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, has criticized the proposed Canadian DMCA in a public letter to Jim Prentice, the Canadian Minister of Industry. Specifically, she's asking them not to protect any DRM from circumvention that gathers and transmits personal data, because that would give abusive DRM makers a legal cudgel to use against anyone who exposes them. The proposed bill, which was recently delayed due to heavy opposition, is thought to contain DMCA-style anti-circumvention provisions that would make it illegal to investigate or remove intrusive DRM, even if that DRM was violating Canadian privacy laws."

Comments

Privacy Commissioner?

[Anonymous Coward]

Can we get one?

Sincerely,
USA

Yay for the Senate

[BrainInAJar]

The canadian version of the DMCA's been introduced 3 or 4 times already and died on the floor each time.

It looks like the US-DMCA has shown it's teeth enough that people are actually caring enough for it to be a politically unfavourable piece of legislation to pass.

All I have to say is "god bless the appointed senate, and it's somber second thought", without which it would've passed before parliament had time to dissolve

Re:Yay for the Senate

[Telvin_3d]

Actually, the original quote from John A Macdonald described it as a house of "sober second thought". I always loved the implication that the first house wasn't sober. Although, given the history of Canadian politicians and John A Macdonald in particular, this may not be far from the truth.

Jim Prentice is my MP...

[swordgeek]

Over the years, I've talked to Jim about a number of issues. When he was a member of the Conservative opposition party, he took the time to respond to my concerns and seriously considered my objections to party policy or his vote on certain issues.

However, since the Conservatives took office and he was appointed a ministerial chair, he has changed drastically. The responses I get from him now tend to be generic form replies. I sent him a letter about the proposed idiotic 'camcorders in theatres' anti-piracy legislation. I got a form reply saying that he'd forward my concerns on to the minister responsible (Bev Oda, I believe). Seven months later, LONG after the legislation passed, I got a personal reply from Jim, pointing out how goofs with camcorders were destroying the Canadian movie industry, and that we have become a haven for pirates because of our lack of legislation (which of course was the Liberal's fault), etc., etc., etc.. Basically, it was a complete and abject capitulation to the MPAA/CMPDA. Coincidentally, the bill was introduced a week after Arnie had come visiting the province.

I'm totally disgusted with Jim. He's turned into a complete sell-out to industry and greed. He no longer represents his constituents, he no longer cares what's best for his riding or the country, he merely does what his bosses (governmental or industrial) tell him. Worse, he's a complete hypocrite.

So here is my message to the honourable Jim Prentice, MP for Calgary Centre North and federal minister of industry: You are no longer wanted. Get your lying, festering, useless carcass out of government and go back to your family. Maybe they can beat some sense back into you.