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???

[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: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: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: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.