Greens: Copyright bill needs adjustment

OTTAWA -- Copyright law is on the Parliamentary agenda again this summer, as Industry Minister Tony Clement introduced the Copyright Modernization Act (Bill C-32) last week.  Bill C-32 is a significant improvement upon its predecessor, Bill C-61, which was widely seen as excessive and pro-industry. 

Bill C-32 attempts to strike a delicate balance between consumer and industry interests, however the bill's digital lock provision tilts the balance too far in favor of industry. Current legislation allows for certain groups such as students and journalists to use works without copyright permission or payment. By enshrining digital locks, this bill would effectively eliminate these special exemptions when the information is digitally encrypted.

"While some of the bill's provisions are positive, such as the "YouTube" remix exception and allowing for everyday activities such as recording television shows or moving music files from one platform to another, all of these exceptions are trumped if the original content is digitally encrypted," said Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. "This digital lock provision is straight from the US's draconian Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and should be immediately revised.”

The Green Party supports the principles of fair use, consumer information privacy, communications market competition, and rationalization of the statutory damages provision. Greens around the world have always been against excessively restrictive patent and copyright laws.  In the European Parliament, the Swedish Pirate Party entered into a coalition with Greens/European Free Alliance, working together to protect consumer rights.

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Contact Information:
Debra Eindiguer
Press Secretary
C: 613.240.8921
media@greenparty.ca