[d@DCC] Bill C-36 - Copyright Act - Add computer programs deposit requirement

From: "tOM Trottier" <Tom _-at-_ Abacurial.com>
To: "Member of Parliament"<Memb (at) r>
Date: Thu, 29 May 2003 01:51:51 -0400

Dear Member of Parliament,

Today the Canadian Heritage committee will begin studying Bill C-36, "An Act to 
establish the Library and Archives of Canada, to amend the Copyright Act and to 
amend certain Acts in consequence "

This bill has a number of provisions addressing the deposit of copies of 
copyrighted material in the Library and Archives of Canada.

I would like to suggest one addition: computer programs. If anyone seeks 
copyright protection for a computer program, they should likewise deposit a 
copy with the Library and Archives.

The deposit should not just consist of machine-readable "object code", but 
include the human-readable "source code" and instructions and supporting 
material that would be sufficient to recreate the executable "object-code" 
program.

There is much creativity expressed in computer programs. Source code is 
necessary for human beings to appreciate new ideas, new expressions, and new 
methods. 

Many software companies go bankrupt or, merging, discard or lose their old 
programs. Maintaining a depository of computer programs' source code will be an 
invaluable asset to researchers, programmers, and companies in the future. 


Sincerely,

Tom Trottier
--------- (nota bene: case of "tOM" is correct)
tOM A. Trottier,        +1 613 860-6633
758 Albert St, Ottawa ON Canada K1R 7V8
---------
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little 
temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
		-- Benjamin Franklin

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