[d@DCC] RE: Official government release on copyright bill C-60

From: "Chris Brand" <Chris_Brand _-at-_ spectrumsignal.com>
To: <discuss (at) list.digital-copyright.ca>
Date: Mon, 27 Jun 2005 09:56:14 -0700

> I've started putting together a point for point rebuttal of the Q&A 
> document the government produced.
> Attached is my commented version of the government's question 
> and answer
> document on Bill C-60.

Very nice ! Definitely something I want to send to my MP and other
MPs in my area.

> Q2.	Has the Government thoroughly consulted on the issues in the 
> proposed bill?
> -----
> 	Actually Canadians were not properly consulted on this issue. 
> Face-to-face consultations were limited to industry 
> representatives who 
> have a vested interest in maintaining their control over distribution 
> methods. Individual Canadians and civil rights organizations who made 
> submissions and are (or represent) the people who will be 
> most affected 
> (I.E. you and me) were not called for consultations.
> -----

Is it useful to mention the proportion of written submissions that opposed
most of what's in Bill C-60 as evidence ? I believe Russell has said that
about 650 of the 700 written submissions were of this nature. It's all very
well claiming t have "consulted" but "consulted" shouldn't mean "given
people an opportunity to have their say, which we then ignored".

> Q3.	What are the WIPO Treaties?
> -----
> 	These treaties were negotiated without any real 
> knowledge of their full 
> impact on the Internet and free societies. Indeed the United States 
> attempt to ratify them through the DMCA has been roundly criticized 
> around the world and at home as undemocratic and oppressive. 
> Indeed many 
> second and third world countries are having second thoughts and are 
> trying to adjust these treaties through the WIPO Development Agenda.
> -----

There's a Bill making its way through the US system at the moment, which
would tone down the DMCA. The USA, who are the ones who started these 
treaties and the ones pushing everyone to ratify them, is clearly now
thinking that they may have gone too far. This may also be worth 
mentioning.

Chris

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