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

From: Russell McOrmond <russell _-at-_ flora.ca>
To: General Copyright Discussions <discuss (at) list.digital-copyright.ca>
Date: Mon, 27 Jun 2005 16:13:25 -0400 (EDT)
References: <459F05C5CBAB824BB3DD965CC92BBFEA065E49C8@swan.spectrumsignal.com>

On Mon, 27 Jun 2005, Chris Brand wrote:

> Essentially, they're justifying this bill as "we have to ratify the
> treaties" when the true answer to this question is "no, we don't think
> we can ratify the treaties without sending half the money collected
> for the private copying levy to the USA".

I believe the answer should be:  "No, we should not ratify these treaties 
but instead pursue an understanding of and help towards implementing the 
WIPO Development Agenda which will likely involve abrogating many of the 
most harmful aspects of the 1996 WIPO treaties".


   Far worse than the levy, this bill, by protecting the business models of 
the existing successful industry associations (Primarily US based media, 
content and "software manufacturing") we are in fact setting up a legal 
climate which will put all home-grown Canadian alternatives at a 
competitive disadvantage.  Even if the levy was abolished this bill will 
represent an large increase in the Canadian trade deficit for 
"intangibles" with the United States.

   Notice how quickly the BSA/CAAST came out in support of C-60 and some 
proposed "amendments" to protect "access control" TPMs.  Access controls 
are the use of TPMs that will tie the ability to access content with the 
purchase and use of of "authorized" technology.  CAAST rightfully is 
assuming that no matter what the outcome of the resulting merging and 
monopoly creating that this policy causes that it will be one of their 
members that will effectively control the electronic distribution of 
culture.

   The harm of anti-trust violations committed by CAAST members in the past 
will pale in comparison to what this legislation will offer them.  What 
CAAST members want is to be able to re-build over digital technology the 
centrally controlled "broadcast" networks of the past, and ensure that 
they effectively own/operate this network.

-- 
  Russell McOrmond, Internet Consultant: <http://www.flora.ca/>
  1800+ Canadians oppose Bill C-60 which protects antiquated Recording,
  Motion Picture and "software manufacturing" industries from change...
  Sign the Petition Users' Rights! http://digital-copyright.ca/petition/
_______________________________________________
Discuss mailing list
Discuss@list.digital-copyright.ca
http://list.digital-copyright.ca/mailman/listinfo/discuss