“Tories propose far-reaching changes to Copyright Act” |
| Tories propose far-reaching changes to Copyright Act Posted: 02 Jun 2010 01:53 PM PDT Industry Minister Tony Clement has introduced long-awaited, contentious changes to the Copyright Act that would make individuals liable for up to $5,000 for illegally making copies of DVD movies or digital music. Clement, the legislation's sponsor, made the announcement at a press conference Wednesday afternoon in Montreal. "We see this as a real balance between the legitimate interests of the consumer and the legitimate interests of the creator," Clement said. "We want creators to feel welcome in Canada." If passed into law, the new rules would enhance legal protection for companies who produce copyright-protected material such as music, software and movies. They would also make commercial and personal users into two separate legal categories. Currently, those who breach the Copyright Act for either personal or commercial reasons are both liable to fines of up to $1 million. Under the proposed changes, removing a technological lock in order to transfer legally acquired copyright material, such as CDs or DVDs, onto multiple digital devices would become a violation. The Conservatives say that providing legal protections for products protected by digital locks would benefit video-game companies in particular, which employ some 15,000 people across the country. "Canadian companies will benefit," said Heritage Minister James Moore, who accompanied Clement at the Montreal press conference. "It is essential to protect these jobs and this creativity ... to make sure Canada remains a centre of creativity." David Fewer, a copyright and technology lawyer, said the digital-lock measure was long expected. "There are international treaties that Canada has signed but has not implemented yet, that require us to craft some sort of legal protection for the digital locks that protect content," he told CTV News Channel Wednesday. Fewer said there are legitimate reasons for consumers wanting to pick digital locks. "(Consumers) want to use content they've purchased in ways they want to use it and digital locks won't always let them do that," Fewer said. The Tories say the copyright reforms are designed to bring Canadian law in line with international standards and to address the concerns of the entertainment industry. They tried to introduce similar changes to the Copyright Act two years ago but backed down after a massive online campaign opposed the measures. "We've been trying as a Parliament to get copyright legislation through since 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart' was in the Top 10," Clement acknowledged. "So this has been taking a while." Clement said earlier that he did not expect the bill would please everyone. "Any bill worth its salt in this is going to have elements that strive to balance those interests, and not everybody's going to like where the balance is going to be struck," Clement told The Canadian Press. With files from The Canadian Press |
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