Tech Companies Say Don't Blame Canada For Copyright Problems

An anonymous reader writes "The Computer & Communications Industry Association, which includes a who's-who of the tech world, including Microsoft, Google, T-Mobile, Fujitsu, AMD, eBay, Intuit, Oracle, and Yahoo, has issued a strong defense of current Canadian copyright law, arguing that the US is wrong to place Canada on the annual Special 301 list. The submission argues that the US should not criticize Canada for not implementing anti-circumvention rules (PDF) and warns against using the Special 301 process to 'remake the world in the image of the DMCA.'"

Comments

Proudly Canadian

[KazW]

I love the fact that I can download copy written content without penalty as long as I don't redistribute it... Fuckin' eh!!

Re:Proudly Canadian

[KazW]

I only get 100 gigs a month from Shaw, I usually do at least double that, but all my connections are encrypted, be it BT or usenet. So far, no warnings after a few years of doing so, but they have mentioned that my area has very low usage compared to my personal usage when I've called to get my modem reset.

To get back on topic, the chances are very remote, and that's the way I like it. Personally, I feel Canadian copyright law is far ahead of the US's DMCA centric attitude. The nature of copyright has to evolve with current times and technologies, allowing P2P downloads for personal use while putting a fee on MP3 players and blank media is a compromise that I see as fair.

Re:Proudly Canadian

[twidarkling]

Yep. Personally, I'm a big fan of the fact that we can format-shift, and make copies of friends' music, and stuff like that. I recognize the necessity to respect copyright, but the US has gone completely overboard, and few industries have any idea of the proper way to deal with it.

(In case any industry movers/shakers are reading this, the proper way isn't DRM, it's increasing ease and accessibility of your work.)

Re:Proudly Canadian

[Again]

Perhaps it's that Canadian copyright law was wisely crafted with the future in mind.

I see that you are not familiar with our politicians.

So...

[Anonymous Coward]

Where are these companies when it comes to US legislation?

Canada's IP laws are in some senses stricter

[Anonymous Coward]

But they've left out all of the dumb, anti-consumer portions that increasingly blight US law. How DARE they!

Insanity.

[headkase]

My personal opinion, as a Canadian, is that copyright regulation such as in the USA is insane. With that in mind I am proud of my Government for resisting the tide. There is a balance that needs to be drawn somewhere, I do not believe it is where industry in the USA would like it to be. With this in mind, let the USA go all hysterical: as the pendulum swings around with other parties such as my Government providing some balance the theory, and hope, is that it will eventually settle somewhere sane.

Re:Insanity.

[RealGrouchy]

With that in mind I am proud of my Government for resisting the tide.

Don't be too hasty. The Government would have passed draconian copyright legislation a long time ago (they've tried a few times) if it weren't for the fact that it's a minority government.

- RG>

Re:Special 301 list ??

[twidarkling]

Canada likes America. We just think you're mostly all insane. But after putting up with Quebec for so long, that's not a big deal.

Re:US influence

[dryeo]

When I was younger, 40 odd years ago, I used to wonder why America was considered a bastion of freedom. Possession of certain plants were highly illegal, being a communist was illegal, kids who went to the States for a year of schooling came back with stories about having to swear allegiance to the flag every day much like in a dictatorship. Black people were finally being allowed to use the same washrooms as white people. They could with a straight face have a constitution which stated all men were equal and allowed slavery.
America always seemed like the ultimate example of successful propaganda.