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Canada Considering A Three Strikes And You're Off The Internet Policy?

Techdirt is reporting that Canada may be considering a "three strikes" policy which could see users internet access privileges revoked for file sharing violations. "Given how secretive the industry and the government have been about new copyright laws, perhaps this isn't too surprising. We do know that the industry was pushing for greater ISP liability as part of copyright law changes a few months back, so it wouldn't be surprising if ISPs were negotiating a "three strikes" type rule to avoid the liability issues. Of course, they probably want to keep it secret, as publicity (and resulting anger) about these types of laws in Europe has at least some politicians moving away from them. However, as the entertainment industry does keep succeeding in getting these types of laws to move forward, how long will it be before similar laws are proposed in the US, with "everyone else is doing it" as part of the reasoning?"

11 of 470 comments (clear)

  1. Recipricol Three Strikes by Archangel+Michael · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'd suggest that this law not be so one sided.

    How about a three strikes provision against the *IAA (or equivalent) as well. This way, if they accuse falsely three times, they get tossed. Seems only fair to me. :-D

    --
    Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
  2. Considering? Sure. Gonna happen? NOPE. by PC+and+Sony+Fanboy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm canadian, and every time something controversial is proposed, the american media jumps all over it and says 'Canada is going to [insert crazy idea here]'.

    The way laws are passed here makes it very difficult for something controversial to pass, unless it is a human rights case. AND, even in the event that the federal government does pass a law, each province can ignore it by using the 'not-withstanding clause'.

    It sure is a horrible idea, but it would go against so many of our other laws that it would be struck down as soon as it was challenged even if it did get through the 3 readings and the senate and house of commons.

    I'd have to say that this sort of law would be much more likely in a place like the USA, where the government has already revoked so many of the rights of the citizens in the name of national security. I wonder how much pressure it would take to claim that piracy is a matter of national economic security...

  3. File Sharing?!?! WTF?!? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    File sharing? FILE SHARING? You gotta be joking! Oh, no, let's ignore.. oh I don't know... sexual predators... or, identity theft... and jump straight to the fsck'n FILE SHARING!

    That's it! I declare that the world has gone insane. Driven by corporate greed and stupidity!

  4. Re:Sounds good by scipiodog · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This is actually a very good point, in my opinion.

    Seriously, with the importance of the Internet in everyday life, is there a case that this actually infringes on a person's civil rights, or at least on their basic rights?

    Yes, I know Internet usage is not a civil right per se. However, in the USA and Canada, it's becoming extremely difficult to carry out certain basic functions off line. When is the last time you looked up something in a "phone book" made of paper?

    Banning someone from internet access for something so trivial would severely restrict their life, IMHO.

    --
    http://clightnirish.wordpress.com/
  5. Re:sigh.... by linuxpyro · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Dear Intelligent, Competent, and Caring People,

    Please consider running for office and giving us more options than shills, shysters, and despots.

    Thanks

    --
    Saying "I'll probably get modded down for this" in a post is the best way to get it modded up.
  6. The aristocracy is planet-wide... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...and the wealthy get really upset whenever something valuable is also abundant. The creation of artificial supply limitations, as a means of maintaining wealth and power, is one of the oldest tricks in the book.

    You cannot escape this by relocating. Stand and fight. Hold your ground. It is the only way to get what you want.

  7. Re:Sounds good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    When is the last time you looked up something in a "phone book" made of paper? When was the last time you searched for a specific product located in your neighborhood online and got results like 'Buy here!' Where here is a town 3 states away.
  8. The Empire strikes back in the great white Hoth by Scrameustache · · Score: 5, Insightful

    My plan to escape American ISP's and DMCA madness by going to Canada has been foiled! What the USA has, the right wingers of Canada desire.
    And since the Conservative party is in power in Canada, what the USA does, Canada does a year later.
    --

    You can't take the sky from me...

  9. Re:sigh.... by eln · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It's easy to generate campaign money. All you have to do is become a shill, shyster, or despot and the money comes rolling in.

  10. Re:An outdated view of technology by Beardo+the+Bearded · · Score: 5, Insightful

    it's time for internet access to be considered a civil right, to be suspended only for those genuinely too dangerous to remain at large.

    Denying internet access isn't like a sentence of probation anymore; it's more akin to house arrest and should only be applied when the punishment fits the crime. Indeed.

    Now, who gets to say what is "too dangerous" to be allowed Internet access?

    Let's say I download (and legally, I might add) several gigs of mp3s. Apparently, this is causing millions of dollars in damages. Therefore, if I continue to have internet access, I am personally costing various industries millions of dollars a day!

    I'm a dangerous person. I'm exactly like a professional shoplifter. Except, weirdly enough, those guys still get to buy groceries FROM STORES.

    As always, contact your local MP.
    --

    ---
    ECHELON is a government program to find words like bomb, jihad, plutonium, assassinate, and anarchy.
  11. Re:An outdated view of technology by Lijemo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    how about you people just learn to obey the fucking law and stop stealing music and movies? who give a shit what happens to people ho dont give a shit about the content creators.

    Ah, so there is no need to make the punishment fit the crime, because you can avoid the punishment by just not doing the crime?

    In that case, lets institute a no-appeals death penalty for speeding, jay-walking, minor traffic violations, and late payment of income taxes. After all, who cares what happens to people who break the law?