Re: [Cdn-DMCA] [Fwd: The Original SSSCA]

From: "Tom Trottier" <Tom _-at-_ Abacurial.com>
To: No DMCA in Canada <canada-dmca-opponents (at) flora.org>
Date: Sat, 2 Mar 2002 03:18:31 -0500

We are in the process of amending our copyright act ( See 
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/rp00833e.html )

Full day consultation sessions:
    Halifax on March 8, 2002; 
    Vancouver on March 15, 2002; 
    Montreal on March 21, 2002; 
    Toronto on March 26, 2002; 
    Ottawa on April 11, 2002. 

What is worse is that the EU and US have such measures, and Canada, under 
the WIPO treaty, is expected to have some similar laws.

The major problem I see with this is that as the intellectual property 
grows old (and eventually enters the public domain), there will be limited 
or no access to it. Technologies grow obsolete and backups with newer 
technologies will be prohibited. Copyright (like a patent) is a monopoly 
granted by the government to encourage and reward creators for a limited 
time. It is a limit on the charter right of free speech and communication. 
We should not extend that time indefinitely, or worse, encourage creations 
which may not  be accessible 10 or 100 years from now. It will be like 
writing in sand. We will be erasing our history.

Any measures that support copyrights should also support fair dealing 
rights, specified exceptions, and eventual access when the information 
enters the public domain.

Don't think this applies only to DVD movies. It will apply to all 
information. 

Tom
------- Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur -----------------
   ,__@	Tom A. Trottier +1 613 860-6633 fax:231-6115
 _-\_<,	758 Albert St.,Ottawa ON Canada K1R 7V8	
(*)/'(*)	ICQ:57647974 N45.412 W75.714
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Laws are the spider's webs which, 
if anything small falls into them they ensnare it, 
but large things break through and escape.
	--Solon, statesman (c.638-c558 BCE)

--
For (un)subscription information, posting guidelines and
links to other related sites please see http://www.flora.org/dmca/