Angus: 3-Step Approach Needed

ANGUS: 3-STEP APPROACH NEEDED FOR EFFECTIVE COPYRIGHT LEGISLATION
NDP MP outlines strategy to benefit Canada’s artists and industry

NDP Digital Cultural Spokesman Charlie Angus has challenged Industry Minister Jim Prentice to start moving on copyright reform that will work for the benefit of Canadian artists and consumers. Prentice, like his predecessor, had a number of embarrassing starts and stops with this contentious issue.

Angus says Prentice can follow three straight-forward steps to update Canada’s copyright legislation:

1. Live up to the government’s commitment to bring the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaty to the House of Commons for a vote before introducing new legislation;

2. Ensure adequate consultation prior to introducing news legislation between Parliamentarians with affected stakeholder groups including arts/artist groups, educators, software innovators, consumer groups and everyday Canadians;

3. Ensure new legislation addresses the reality of technological innovation so that artistic creators can be fairly compensated in a rapidly changing paradigm of information transmission and storage.

It isn’t good enough for this government to simply mimic the failed Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) model in the United States. The Conservatives need to address the dramatic changes that are taking place in the world of digital content. Artists need to be able to share in the potential of markets that are still gray or forming.

As for WIPO, Prentice appears to be stalling on the government commitment to debate treaties before ratifying them. Angus says Prentice can’t unilaterally break a government commitment.

Let’s deal with WIPO and then examine how forward-looking legislation can be enacted. If Prentice tries to get away with a quick fix, U.S.-style, DMCA plan under the guise of implementing WIPO, he is going to get his fingers burned again.

As an author, singer/songwriter and performer Angus is keenly aware of the hardships that most artists face, and wants to see legislation that will work in the new world of digital change and benefit those in the industry.

No Canadian DMCA this year

This morning a storm passed us by. The Conservative Government did not table the Copyright Bill An Act to Amend the Copyright Act. The Bill was not introduced. It is critical that before this Bill is tabled again, the Government hear, understand and respond to the growing concerns expressed by thousands of Canadians.

We are a country that is independent and creative. We are not a country that will flourish under excessive copyright laws. Canada must have laws that put Canada first.

There are groups that put profit before all else. They have forgotten what it means to be Canadian. They have not fully considered the fragility and importance of free and creative expression. They have allowed pecuniary interests to guide them. These groups must see that they will be held accountable for the future direction Copyright law takes and the damage excessive laws would inflict on the Canadian cultural environment.

On the masthead of his website Jim Prentice, Industry Minister, has a banner which reads
‘Stand up for Canada’. Last week tens of thousands of Canadians did just that when they rose up and protested against unbalanced copyright legislation. The events of the last few weeks show that far from being a ‘fringe element’ THIS is the voice of Canada. Will the Government listen?

Canadian DMCA Postponed

On Friday, December 7, 2007 Stephen Harper’s government included controversial copyright legislation in the Notice Paper for the Parliamentary Agenda. The Notice Paper indicates that a given legislation will be brought forward. Yet, on Tuesday the bill was not introduced. What happened in the intervening days?
It seems democracy reared its angry head. On Saturday, December 8, 2007 Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry had an open house in Calgary. Armed with difficult questions and legitimate concerns, fifty ‘protestors’ attended. By Monday, December 10, 2007 an experiment in vocal democracy was also making waves; Fair Copyright Facebook Group had grown to over 15,000 members. In addition 2300 individuals had sent letters to their MP’s using the Copyright for Canadians easy letter writer.
That same Monday, Jim Prentice was questioned in The House of Commons by NDP Member of Parliament, Charlie Angus. This heated exchange is available for viewing here.
The press began to notice. Media coverage began to escalate. Stories began to crop up on CTV, CBC (news)
, CBC (Search Engine), Globe and Mail, Canadian Press, National Post, and The Ottawa Citizen. Internet coverage exploded.

In short Canadians found their voice. And it was a very loud and emphatic NO. What is the future for this bill? It is largely up to you. The time to do something is now. Take action. Join the thousands of Canadians who are standing up for democracy and balanced copyright.

Canadian DMCA is Coming

It is now more than a year since the threat of new copyright legislation hit the headlines. The word out now is that the Conservatives are about to introduce new ‘Shock and Awe’ copyright legislation. The details of this legislation are expected to be introduced on Tuesday December 11.
The specifics of the new legislation are not known. Indications are that it will include severe restrictions on Freedom of Expression. The new law is expected to make it illegal to circumvent DRM (Digital locks) even where the user has a legal right to content. This will make it even more restrictive than the draconian American DMCA legislation. It is speculated that the new legislation will have no new rights for users whatsoever. This will have a profound and devastating effect on artists who use appropriation, particularily Media artists.

Ottawa Meetings

Representatives from the Appropriation Art Coalition recently met with the Government and Opposition Parties. Discussion was very positive and focussed on the key issues voiced in the Appropriation Art letter of concern. We were pleased to receive advice from the MP’s and are currently exploring suggested initiatives. We look forward to working with all parties in ensuring that future copyright reform addresses the real needs of all Canadian Artists

Reply from the Minister of Industry

The Honorable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry looks forward to working with the Coalition of Art Professionals.

The Minister of Industry replied to the letter of concern by email, indicating that he was working closely with Minister Oda. He indicated that he wishes to ensure that the Act reflects current technological and legal realities. And he wants to ensure that the Act is supportive of innnovation and research. He also mentions providing balance between protection for copyright holders and access to copyrighted material.

Read more

Reply from Minister of Canadian Heritage. No Meeting?

The Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Honorable Bev Oda, has ignored a request for direct consultation from the Coalition of Art Professionals (Appropriation Art). The coalition includes over 600 of Canada’s most talented artists as well as influential organizations and prestigious art professionals. In her reply (link), Minister Oda states that she is working on new copyright legislation with the Minister of Industry, but does not address specific concerns brought up in the letter.

On August 10 The Coalition of Art Professionals – Appropriation Art received a dissapointing reply from Bev Oda, P.C., M.P., Minister of Canadian Heritage. Her reply fails to acknowledge the scope and size of the coalition. It does not address any of the specific points brought up in the Coalition’s letter of concern and sidesteps a direct request for consultation with the Minister of Heritage. The reply only invites members to follow proceedings through the Department of Canadian Heritage Web site (link). Given the specific request for consultation from such a large coalition, the Minister’s response is unacceptable.

Read more