Police State, Canada's Copywrite act.

That's what opposition MP's are talking about how the U.S. got its Canadian copyright bill. This bill may not get Royal Ascent... but it has passed the first major hurdle towards law. If there was anytime to consider bringing the minority government down, this would be the issue in my mind.

Michael Geist (http://www.michaelgeist.ca) offers his take in the Star newspaper

http://www.thestar.com/sciencetech/article/443867

That is sad to hear. Why do conservatives in Canada constantly start acting like top down big government liberals; state control for our own good. I side with conservatives on many things but this misuse of power I cannot agree with.

Come on. If people can't protect their darn copyrights themselves, why the hell should I pay money out of my pocket to protect them. Lay your hands off my money big brother.

Come on. If people can't protect their darn copyrights themselves, why the hell should I pay money out of my pocket to protect them.
You'd feel differently if YOU had written a book, and people were stealing copies of it without paying you (for time and labor). You'd feel like a slave who is working for free.

You'd feel differently if YOU had written a book, and people were stealing copies of it without paying you (for time and labor). You'd feel like a slave who is working for free.The Issue is not copywrite, but a bill created in another country (with draconion rules) and forced on a free society with little or no debate.

The Issue is not copywrite, but a bill created in another country (with draconion rules) and forced on a free society with little or no debate.

The bill was created in Canada.

The citizens had plenty of opportunity to call their Ministers/representatives and voice their views.

The bill was created in Canada.

The citizens had plenty of opportunity to call their Ministers/representatives and voice their views.

Created in Canada written elsewhere... Quoting the Star "The bill dubbed by critics as the Canadian Digital Millennium Copyright Act (after the U.S. version of the law) is the result of an intense public and private campaign waged by the U.S. government to pressure Canada into following its much-criticized digital copyright model."

The people spoke... the government backed down. Quoting the Star article again "The government promised copyright reform in the October 2007 Speech from the Throne and was set to follow through last December, only to pull back at the last hour in the face of mounting public concern (Disclosure: I created the Fair Copyright for Canada Facebook group that has more than 48,000 members and played a role in this public opposition)."

This repackaged Bill is mostly the same pap the gov tried to bring in, but with some minor concessions to suggest something new... since satisfying U.S. pressure remains priority number one.

This bill... will be fixed with a change in government; make your vote count!

The Globe and Mail (Canada's predominant business newspaper) writes a good article on Bill C-61 and suggests that the outcome if passed, will be a disrespect for this law, put a chill on people working in risk-averse institutions like universities and otherwise stifle descent. It looks like the $500 fine is destined to create cases for lawyers.

The suggestion by the writer is a more cautious approach to what constitutes “fair dealing,” and clarify whether Canadians are entitled to use media for criticism, reporting, parody, education or personal use instead of this nightmare offered up by a minority government intent to impress those outside this country and turn Canadians into digital peasants.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080619.wgtwebseven0620/BNStory/Technology/home

(shrug) The U.S. act hasn't stopped me from getting free music, movies, and TV shows. (Which I later purchase if I enjoy them - like Stargate.) I doubt it will seriously impact Canada either.

Also:

I still don't see evidence the law was written by U.S. Congresscritters. As far as I can see, the law was written by Canadian Ministers (which is why it's not identical and has a $xxx per case limit).