Copyright and Canada

[MusicallyInspired]

Now it's our turn.

http://www.ccer.ca/category/bill-c-11/

[Datadog]

I've already sent my letter.

I wonder if this one will get as many protesters. People seem to care about Canadian internet even less than Canadian television. Not to mention the name "C-11" doesn't have the same viral quality as "SOPA" (which many people probably thought was a disease).

[DeadPoolX]

I think the person who made that website doesn't really understand the bill itself. Having looked at the C-11 bill PDF, it seems like the rules made aren't unreasonable and certainly don't infringe on anyone's rights.

For instance, according to that website, C-11 will potentially block people from recording TV shows and movies to their PVR. However, if you read the bill itself, you'll see that under section 29.23(1) it specifically says that recording TV shows, movies and music is fully legal so long as its for private use, only viewed or listened by the person who recorded it and isn't given or sold to someone else.

In fact, most of section 29 (and all subsections within it) define what is and what isn't allowed with regards to private records, back up copies, etc. As far as I can tell, it seems very agreeable and nowhere near as restricting as that website makes it sound.

[Collector]

You can't compare this bill with SOPA. The ramifications of SOPA went well beyond mere protection of intellectual property. It presented real dangers to the DNS, had implications to rights of due process and placed collateral legal/enforcement burdens on others. As long as the scope of a bill is limited to those involved in the infringement and it respects privacy and grants reasonable fair use, it is a lot harder criticize it.

That said, I do think that while creators need to have some protection for their IP, copyright and patent laws need to be limited in terms of scope and time. Civilization and technology are built upon what preceded it. Too onerous and long lasting IP laws are a real hindrance to advancement.

[MusicallyInspired]

I admit I didn't read anything yet, just brought it here for public service. I've heard from others that it doesn't seem so bad as well.

[Datadog]

Yeah, the reaction to it seems like an aftermath to SOPA. The available letter to send does bring up a few good points, but it's really more about amending the bill rather than stopping it.

Although the fact that I just sent in my support for amending a minor bill really makes me wonder which non-copyright-related bills should have my proper attention. For all I know, they could be using C-11 to distract people from their "Let's sell Canada to Mexico" bill.

[Collector]

"Let's sell Canada to Mexico" bill.

???

[DeadPoolX]

"Let's sell Canada to Mexico" bill.

???

If anything, Alberta would try to leave Canada and become part of the US, as it threatens to do every so often. None of that is really meant or would ever happen, it's just a minor form of rebellion. It's a lot like how Texas threatens to leave the US every few years, but obviously doesn't.

Interestingly enough, Texas and Alberta are both involved in the oil business (particularly Houston and Edmonton) and there's a lot of travel back and forth.

Although neither Maia nor I were involved the oil business, I'm from Houston and she was from Edmonton.

In fact, Texas/Alberta relationships are very common -- not quite to the degree that Washington State/British Columbia or New York/Ontario relationships are (if for no other reason, the geographic distance involved), but they happen with some frequency.

[MusicallyInspired]

Alberta is definitely the Texas of Canada.

[DeadPoolX]

Alberta is definitely the Texas of Canada.

The first time I visited Maia in 2006 (back when we were doing the long-distance dating thing), we went to see a comedian at The Comic Strip in West Edmonton Mall. The comedian on stage asked if anyone was from out-of-town and I raised my hand. He asked where I was from and I replied, "Texas."

His response? "Ah... Texas. The Alberta of the south!"

[Datadog]

Having spent a good 28 years in Alberta, this whole "Alberta's trying to split" is completely new to me. From my perspective, Quebec was the province that was always trying to become its own country.

Also, I didn't expect my stupid joke to derail the thread like this. I just meant that I find it odd how copyright laws seem to be the hot button at the moment, and yet there's probably dozens of more important bills going through the government right now regarding health, education, taxes, wars, etc. If everyone banded together like this more often, the internet could rule the country. Or maybe copyright laws are simply the only thing we can all agree on.

[DeadPoolX]

Having spent a good 28 years in Alberta, this whole "Alberta's trying to split" is completely new to me. From my perspective, Quebec was the province that was always trying to become its own country.

The main difference is that Alberta was just making a lot of noise, whereas Quebec was actually serious about it.

Also, I didn't expect my stupid joke to derail the thread like this.

And you've been here how long now?

[Datadog]

Ah, touché.

[Collector]

Also, I didn't expect my stupid joke to derail the thread like this.

And you've been here how long now?