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I am a proud Canadian citizen. I’ve always considered our beautiful country to be fair and balanced but lately my confidence has been shaken. If the disgusting display of dirty tactics in Montebello, Quebec didn’t prove our governments adoption of draconian American fundamentals and laws, maybe bill C-61 will enlighten a few more minds.
Due to obvious pressure from American lawmakers and entertainment companies Canada has decided to update it’s aging Copyright Act of Canada. Last updated in 1997, in the prehistoric times of file sharing, it was a little out of date. So what did our government do?
Downloaded a copy of the American Copyright Law, added and erased a few lines then called it their own.
If this Bill passes the Canadian Parliament, what does that mean for you?
- Your PVR is basically useless. You won’t be able to record shows flagged as “No Copy” without incurring further costs. Of course every show worth recording will be flagged.
- Watching out-of-region-coded DVDs
- Ripping a DVD to a computer, ipod, or other media device.
- Modifying game machines (XBOX, Playstation) to install third party software.
- Unlocking a service provider locked cell phone. With the recent release of the iPhone in Canada, people all over will be unlocking their new toy for use with third party apps and other service providers. Illegal!
- Ripping CDs (which will increasing be sold with digital locks)
- Keeping a library of recorded TV shows. There are time limits on how long you can keep a recorded copy of television media.
This is only the tip of the iceberg that could sink our Canadian freedoms. The bill goes on to discriminate against the blind, educators, and puts our rights in the hands of entertainment companies.
Send a letter to your government representative:
MP letter alert.
Michael Geist has a great website that keeps current with the DMCA bill.
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