US Says Canadian Copyright As Bad As China's, Russia's

An anonymous reader writes "The US is blaming Canada in a new report that claims that Canadian copyright and intellectual property laws are as bad as those found in China and Russia. Michael Geist notes that Canadian officials have dismissed these findings in the past, arguing it 'does not recognize the Special 301 process due to its lacking of reliable and objective analysis.'" (Read more about the annual Special 301 report.)

Comments

Comparisons???

[Quasar1999]

Honestly, if you want to compare American and Canadian laws, copyright laws are the bottom of the list in terms of impact and relevency. There are WAY more important laws that clearly shows Canada's are generally more enlightened and less restrictive compared to their American counterparts.

Re:Comparisons???

[Anonymous Coward]

For those who don't know what the content laws are, a certain and sizable percentage of the music and shows broadcast on Canadian radio and television has to be Canadian in origin. The TV part is not all that bad (especially since so many US/worldwide shows are shot there anyway) but Canadian music is... Well, usually pretty awful.

Re:Comparisons???

[Anonymous Coward]

There is some speculation that the US is going to end up with something like that as well, the Fairness Doctrine.

And there is a great deal of speculation that us Canucks will end up with American-style copyright law: Bill C-60.

So we'll all end up with the worst of both worlds.... Hurray!

Re:Comparisons???

[shutdown -p now]

Indeed, just look at the recent case where MacLean' Magazine (Canada's version of Time) got taken to the human rights commission for hate speech.

For reference, here's the story.

Re:Comparisons???

[AikonMGB]

Right, because no one has ever heard of Rush, The Tragically Hip, Matthew Good, Sum41, Avril Lavigne, Alanis Morisette, Celine Dion, Paul Anka, Bryan Adams, Great Big Sea, Spirit of the West, Steppenwolf, The Arrogant Worms, David Usher/Moist, Neil Young, Raine Maida/Our Lady Peace, Barenaked Ladies, Bif Naked, Three Days Grace, Sloan, The Tea Party, Crash Test Dummies, Howard Shore, Death From Above, Alexisonfire, The New Pornographers, Arcade Fire, Nickelback, Danko Jones, Finger Eleven, Crystal Castles, The Guess Who, [...]

There is an abundance of good Canadian music (not that I am endorsing all of the artists/bands above, nor that I appreciate all of their music), and we shouldn't need a law to have them be a significant portion of the broadcast material. Sadly, most radio stations prefer to draw as much as possible from the US because there is more money in it. But greed is a problem with radio in general, not with Canadian radio.

Aikon-

Re:Bah

[Runefox]

Yeah, this is what I thought when I first heard about this earlier today. If ever there were a "big reason" to back the draconian ACTA, international "condemnation" is it. This'll probably let them lobby for and push it through without much, if any, opposition.

No wonder..I am not suprised at all.

[bogaboga]

The [mighty] USA will always complain about her neighbor to the north (Canada). Heck, there is even a prominent politician who said the 9/11 terrorists came from Canada! Imagine that.

This politician had presidential ambitions I must add.

Then there are those who criticize its health care system although Canadians generally love what they have and in fact, live as long as Americans on average.

It's a strange world.

Re:No wonder..I am not suprised at all.

[Anonymous Coward]

... in fact, live as long as Americans on average.

It's a strange world.

Sorry, we actually live longer - about 2 years longer on average. It's the cold - slows you down, you know

Re:They also blame us

[Shados]

Off I go to legaly download some music.

Morally OK dowload some music, yes. Legally, not so much. So many people will quote the ruling that stated that because of the levy it was legal to download stuff in Canada...then conveniently forget the result of the next appeal. No ruling ever stated that it was legal, and the laws don't mention anything about it being legal because of that (totally stupid) levy.

I agree we should either remove that damn levy, or assert that its legal to go on a download spree...but as of today, neither are set.

Re:In Canada we pay a levy on all blank media...

[dryeo]

Actually mostly just on blank audio media. That is why blank DVDs are cheaper than CDRs

Re:Thank goodness for Dr. Geist

[compro01]

Did you miss the subject line of the post? He's referring to Micheal Geist as the breath of fresh air, and this moronic report as the pollution.

Re:Thank goodness for Dr. Geist

[totally bogus dude]

I'm not sure I follow. His statement seems to be implying that the RIAA/MPAA is spewing pollution, creating murky air; which is generally considered to be an unpleasant thing to have. Saying that Dr. Geist is "a breath of fresh air" seems to strongly implying support for Dr. Geist's position and views. i.e. fresh air is generally considered more desirable than murky, polluted air.

Re:Backhanded Compliment?

[dimeglio]

Exactly. Canada is a free country. Any individual can leave Canada freely. It's up to the receiving country to check who is coming in.

To state that the border are unsafe is ridiculous. Point to the matter is this article proving that despite the change in administration, there is still a problem on top when it comes to getting the facts straight. I am disappointed but not surprised.