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Canadian DMCA May be Established to Criminalize Copyrights

boingboing.net — Word on the street is that Canadian Industry Minister Jim Prentice is about to try to shove the Canadian version of the US's failed Digital Millennium Copyright Act through Parliament very soon, and very fast. He made plans to do this before, and the overwhelming public outcry caused him to shelve them.

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  • Aturaten, on 05/21/2008, -3/+137Dugg. Canadians, get off your asses and help stop this.
    • Jorin, on 05/21/2008, -0/+23I've written my local MP. Please do the same!
    • NikoKun, on 05/21/2008, -6/+21I hate to say it, cause I love Canada... But this is what they get, for voting in someone like Harper... -_-
      • feebie, on 05/21/2008, -1/+9I didn't vote for him!!
      • Xondar, on 05/22/2008, -0/+1You can't blame us. At the time it was a choice between Paul Martin and him. I guess people were thinking "better the devil you don't know than the devil you know," and most people were pretty unimpressed that he was willing to gut and destroy his political party to become the leader (even worse than what Hillary is doing.)
    • Dradis, on 05/21/2008, -0/+20I emailed my MP after reading this story, and I urge every concerned Canadian to do the same. If you think someone else is going to stop this bill for you, realize that there are thousands of people out there thinking the same thing and not contacting their MP (I'm guilty of this too sometimes). Take 5 minutes, email your MP and have your say.
      • Jimbob200, on 05/21/2008, -0/+7I know eh? I emailed John Baird and Prendouche about this. Make sure your letter focuses on the facts and the repercussions, not petty personal attacks, it will do a lot more that way.
    • azzkicar, on 05/21/2008, -0/+11I emailed my MP as well. This cannot be tolerated.
    • Cerpin_Taxt, on 05/21/2008, -0/+7Wrote my MP. Let's hope he gets his ass off the backbench and tries to take down this garbage.
    • esquilax, on 05/21/2008, -0/+4I don't get the usage of the word "failed" in the article. It seems like the DMCA is semi-successful in achieving what it was intended to do, it's just that the thing it's intended to do is an undesirable thing. If it were failed, then there would be no point in opposing this measure, because it would likely fail as well.

      Does not compute. /sad robot
    • PrincessSalami, on 05/21/2008, -0/+4I sent an email to jim prentice the pm, and two mp's then mailed off the letter to the house of commons.

      I suggest you all do the same (except for the two mp thing, im moving).

      Im crossing my fingers in hopes that this gets stopped NOW!
    • SLockhart, on 05/21/2008, -3/+3I realize this sucks but we have no leg to stand on; stealing music and movies is the same as stealing anything else. Bury away.
      • Apocrypha, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1But this isn't just about that though. Read some of the comments below to understand how this affects far more than that.
      • Apocrypha, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1Read some of the comments below to better understand that this is not the only scenario this will have an affect on. "Stealing" music online outright is the least of it.
    • Apocrypha, on 05/21/2008, -0/+2I just sent a letter to my MP and Cc'd Prentice. Done my part. :-)
  • davecapp, on 05/21/2008, -0/+88Contact Jim Prentice, Stephen Harper and your local MP with the info below.


    E-Mails:

    Jim Prentice: Prentice.J@parl.gc.ca, Minister.Industry@ic.gc.ca
    Stephen Harper: pm@pm.gc.ca

    How to find your local MP: http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/House ...
    • aidave, on 05/21/2008, -1/+27You think Stephen Harper gives a ***** about the average Canadian? He only cares about two things: corporations and worshiping Bush.
      • MarkusDee, on 05/21/2008, -0/+8Huck Farper
      • felidaeus, on 05/21/2008, -5/+2You think any PM has ever spent a significant amount of time worrying about the average canadian? They have more things to worry about. Everything else is for MINISTERS and MPs to worry about.

        P.S. Nobody worships Bush, he's an ass. The conservatives want ties to the *US*. There is a very, very, very large difference. One is macro, one is micro
        • stk198323, on 05/21/2008, -1/+6Are you Canadian? If yes do you read the freaking news? From the first day Harper was Bush #2... or #3 if you consider the father! if Bush say something, you can be sure Harper is going to say the exact same thing a few day's later!

          Don't you remember the whole mess with that wood agreement? No other prime minister then Harper would have acted in such a hurry to please M. Bush!
      • Speed, on 05/21/2008, -0/+8No PM gives a ***** about average Canadians. Ever try emailing Martin when he was PM? Ever try emailing Harper on another issue? All you ever get in response is "This isn't the concern of the Prime Ministers Office, I took the liberty of forwarding it to for you".
        However, if enough people email, and force it to be an issue, he will care.

        Also email Jack Layton and Stephane Dion, tell them that in order for their party to gain your support next election, they have to vote against this. The NDP like to say they stand up for Canadians against big business, make them prove it. Force the Liberals to vote against the Conservatives for once.
      • shawnanigans, on 05/21/2008, -2/+1Forgot oil, and Alberta. He is Alberta's best Prime Minister.
    • TrevorPace, on 05/21/2008, -3/+4Yeah I'm with aidave on this one. There is no way that Harper is going to listen to what I have to say.

      ...even if I don't start the email with "Hey Douchebag".
      • purelithium, on 05/21/2008, -0/+8If enough people mail him about it, he will have to do something about it. What is everyone's obsession with the "I'm only one person" *****? Just do it, even if you don't see the benefit of your single act, do it anyway because if there's enough "single acts" it becomes a much larger issue very fast. STFU and mail them a quick sentence protesting this proposal.
        • TrevorPace, on 05/21/2008, -1/+3I was kind of joking on that. It was just my intention to point out how thick skulled he is. I do feel that my voice counts, as does my vote.
    • purelithium, on 05/21/2008, -0/+3Done and Done.
    • phoomp, on 05/21/2008, -0/+2Emailed my MP. Here's his site ... does it look like he'll care?
      http://www.myronthompson.com/bio.htm
      • asnider, on 05/21/2008, -0/+2I was briefly terrified by the thought of that man winning the party leadership after Ralph Klein retired. Thankfully, that didn't come to pass.
    • chris1012, on 05/21/2008, -0/+2Even if you aren't from Canada please mail an MP and the Prime Minister. Help save us please! Just pick an MP at random from the list and email him/her and also the our Prime Minister!
      • Xondar, on 05/22/2008, -0/+2Why? They aren't Canadian. They aren't the ones getting free postage to the Parliament Buildings.

        I appreciate people supporting us, but it makes it look like we couldn't find enough Canadians who care about this, so we had to recruit people from other countries.
  • jaundicedave, on 05/21/2008, -0/+40Please, people, don't let this happen.
  • Aturaten, on 05/21/2008, -22/+0Come on people, there have to be more than 3 ***** Canadians.
  • syowr, on 05/21/2008, -0/+45I emailed my MP the PM and CCed Minister Prentice on both so he can see that we are again going to raise the public outcry that quashed this crap last time.
    • purelithium, on 05/21/2008, -1/+4J'ai fait le meme chose, aussi.
    • syowr, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1Good to hear PureLithium. More people should do it too.
    • asnider, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1I've emailed the PM, Minister Prentice, and my MP, and will be sending physical letters to each as well, in order to voice my concern.

      Like it says on Boing Boing, you can email the House of Commons for FREE, no stamp needed, so I recommend that you also send printouts of your emails to the following address:

      House of Commons, Ottawa, ON, K1A0A6
  • MikeonTV, on 05/21/2008, -25/+1But what can I do? I'm just one measly person.
    • oxdeltaxo, on 05/21/2008, -5/+9You can go die in a corner if your that measly, the rest of us can do it ourselves.
  • mCanada, on 05/21/2008, -0/+24Please digg this article, with little time left everyone needs to hear about this. There are some templates on the boing boing link that you can use and then find your Member of Parliment using this "MP finder:" http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/House ... It's quick and easy to email your MP, don't assume one email doesn't make a difference!
  • Waiting2awake, on 05/21/2008, -0/+41 Nice, real nice. So I guess those extra taxes we pay on all blank media is for what now? Time for another visit to my local MP office. I strongly urge every Canadian to find which is their MP and email them (CC to Harper). Let them know that this will not stand.......man!!
  • jerrycan, on 05/21/2008, -1/+27anyone have a good form letter I can paste?
    • Chaotix, on 05/21/2008, -1/+1see below
    • thall, on 05/21/2008, -0/+3The paranoid part of me says that they'll lump similar looking letters together and treat them as nothing more than a "me too". Just be respectful and tell him/her what your opinion is.

      I just emailed my MP saying I was concerned about the bill, then proceeded to explain in my own words what I disliked the most about it. I also linked it to the DMCA that was brought to the U.S., highlighting a couple problems it produced, and noted that even though Bill C-60 isn't exactly the same as DMCA it's based on the same philosophy that you don't really own what you buy. I identified its purported goal to deter copy infringement but noted the DMCA hasn't really done a great job doing that, rather it created bigger problems.
      I focused more on the right to use what I bought in any way I wanted as long as it doesn't harm others, even if that just means taking it apart to see how they work.
    • enntee, on 05/22/2008, -0/+1This is what I wrote:

      Dear Madam,

      I am writing to you today with great concern for the the new legislation Canadian Industry Minister Jim Prentice plans to introduce. The bill is essentially the same as the controversial American Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).

      I am deeply opposed to any legislation that favors the interests of large media corporations over the fair use rights of Canadian consumers.

      Jim Prentice has failed to pass this legislation before, largely due to the considerable public outcry which resulted. I humbly request that you to do everything you can to block his next attempt from passing as well.

      Sincerely,

  • robertlafla, on 05/21/2008, -5/+8The Feds in the US are trying to do the same thing, only without a change in the law. http://www.scragged.com/articles/spitzer-was-a-pik ... They don't have enough real criminals to chase.
    • BoneheadFarker, on 05/21/2008, -0/+9Nice sentiment. But I can't digg you because of the Scragged spam. Every freaking post you make includes a Scragged link. Digg is not your personal advertising platform...
  • benologist, on 05/21/2008, -13/+2How did the DMCA fail? It shields service providers and to some extent users since a lot of companies won't sue you if you comply with their takedown notices.
    • Waiting2awake, on 05/21/2008, -0/+11Because it was designed to protect one segment at the expense of another. The DMCA has more to due with propping up dinosaurs who refuse to keep up with technology so instead use lawyers to stop those that are pushing ahead. That is a philosophy that is designed to fail, because it artificially limits advancement.

      • ILoveTrance, on 05/21/2008, -5/+1That is not true.

        Without the DMCA all the small minor labels and independent artists would have to sign individual contracts with each company that wishes to play their music on the web.

        get your facts straight kid!
        • skidooer, on 05/21/2008, -0/+6Why wouldn't those artists just release their music under a license that allows online radio play, if they want their music played on online radio stations? No DMCA needed.

          Also, both of my favourite online stations are based in Canada. They seem to be doing okay without any kind of DMCA. So, as a non-American, please explain to me why the DMCA is necessary for online radio stations?
        • Waiting2awake, on 05/21/2008, -0/+5Why? What is it about a legal idea that allows people to do something that they wouldn't be able to do without it?

          The reality is that criminals are being produced because industry is a slow monolithic organism and the people and technology is being evolved faster than the other system can keep up. That leaves them with one of two choices - either move faster(unable to do that unless they lessen their bulk) or slow others down - that only requires lawyers.

          IP is merely a mental concept that benefits a group at the expense of the greater group. No one is against temporary protection, but the level that the DCMA and others like it, go to is merely to protect IP owners rights - and ignores completely their responsibilities to the greater good.

          Chew on that ....kid.



        • ILoveTrance, on 05/21/2008, -1/+0so I see waiting2awake, you don't want the artists to be paid?

          Why do you want the Independent artists not to get paid?

          That seems like a pretty selfish world view kiddo.
    • Nenb, on 05/21/2008, -0/+7Because most of the time those takedowns are without merit and there is no way to protect yourself.
    • Gndoab, on 05/21/2008, -2/+1um..yeah..you can file a counter-notice. that sounds like protection to me (assuming you have rights to the material in question)
      • Nenb, on 05/21/2008, -0/+0That is just a straw man in the big scale of things, making such a counterclaim still requires you to follow the first claim and then you are able to publish again after the ruling. Not fair.
  • Canadianinjapan, on 05/21/2008, -1/+9Email sent. Not that anyone will even read it.
  • ILoveTrance, on 05/21/2008, -25/+0Without the DMCA there would be NO legal Internet radio.

    Without the DMCA online radio stations would have to get a licences for every single song they play. Image a company having to have to get 400,000 signed contracts.

    That is ridicoulus, and I believe this submitter has no idea what the DMCA actual does.
    • BoneheadFarker, on 05/21/2008, -0/+24I have a good idea of what the DMCA does. It means that the merchandise I buy does not actually belong to me. It means that I am not allowed to alter any equipment I buy. It means I cannot make backups of any content I buy. It means that I am not allowed to hook my computer up to my TV and expect high definition quality. It means allowing companies to assume that I am guilty until I prove myself innocent. It means that the government is owned by corporate interests, and is no longer looking out for my interests. That's what the DMCA means. If you think it means anything else, then you have been drinking the corporate kool-aid...
      • Waiting2awake, on 05/21/2008, -0/+8That pretty much sums it up.
      • ILoveTrance, on 05/21/2008, -5/+0wrong again.

        I can tell I am conversing with kids who are not involved in the business.

        Waste of time.
    • ILoveTrance, on 05/21/2008, -2/+0It's apparent you kids are confused about the difference between the RIAA and the stupid ***** locks placed on music sold on Itunes and what the DMCA actually is.

      It's either that, or you don't believe musicians should be paid for anything.

      The comments in this thread show that you kids have no ***** clue what you are talking about. You all sound like McCain trying to explain Iraq.
      • BoneheadFarker, on 05/21/2008, -1/+3I believe musicians should be paid. Which is why I pay for concert tickets and merchandise from the concert. However, I have not bought a CD from a store since about 2000 because the musicians don't see a damn cent of that money.

        Internet radio is not "saved" by the DMCA. In fact, the DMCA is what's killing internet radio. Internet radio was the last bastion of real music since there was no Clear Channel influence like with conventional radio. With the DMCA and the various contracts that have come with it, legitimate internet radio sites are being squeezed out of the game because there's no way of making money. It's hard to have a radio station when you can't afford the buy the rights to play a song, unless it's the same drivel shoved down our throats that Clear Channel picked out.

        ***** the DMCA. ***** those who tell me I'm not allowed to do what I please with the things I buy. And finally...***** you for trying to pass off the DMCA as something good...
        • moolaismyfriend, on 05/21/2008, -3/+1Wow.

          Do you work in the music industry?

          I have been nominated for a grammy. Played in 27 countries, and every state here in America.

          I make money from record sales. Allot of money actually.

          So your first premise is false.

          Without the DMCA you would have NO Internet radio, fact. read the interviews with the top Internet radio providers. I am sure you have studied their business model like I have right?

          You are a perfect example of a clueless kid who gets behind the wrong policies because of group think and pure ignorance.
        • BoneheadFarker, on 05/21/2008, -0/+3Fine.

          Under the DMCA, am I allowed to mod my Playstation to play games from overseas? No...because that is circumventing a protection device. It's my Playstation, it's my games, but I'm not allowed to play my games that I legitimately bought.

          Under the DMCA, am I allowed to make copies of my music? No, because I might have to break some retarded protection scheme. I'm allowed to have backups under fair-use provisions, but there's no way to make those backups because of the DMCA.

          Under the DMCA, am I allowed to hook my computer up to my TV? No, because in order to connect through HDMI the device must also have a security chip to tell the TV it's allowed to display. Otherwise I get ***** quality or a blank screen.

          Without the DMCA, would you still make money? Yes...because there will always be music lovers that will buy the music. It's your own insecurities that are ruining it for the rest of us. The only reason that the DMCA "saved" internet radio was because of the retarded schemes the music labels thought up in order to screw internet radio and retain control of the business.

          And BTW...I assume you own your label, because the labels are the only people the make money from CD sales. What's you're label? What do you play? Exactly who the ***** are you??
        • joshuajargon, on 05/21/2008, -0/+2I would even pay for music (and have) when I can be guaranteed that every penny will go to the artist and not heartless corporations like apple or sony and industry fat-cats. There is barely any reason for a lot of these overpaid jobs to exist in the music industry anymore and that is what this fight is about.
  • xXMetalJesusXx, on 05/21/2008, -2/+28LOL near me, I have 5 Conservative Party MP's...and one NDP. I'll email them all, but only the NDP will want to stick it too the man, I'm sure of that.
    • aidave, on 05/21/2008, -0/+22Why is it that the NDP is the only party left that cares? The Conservatives ransack our government, the Liberals roll over and play dead, and the media goes along unquestioning. It's making me sick what a bunch of passive pussies Canadians have become.
      • xXMetalJesusXx, on 05/21/2008, -0/+11In all fairness, the NDP can be ***** crazy sometimes. Nevertheless, you are right. They are the last party standing that actually cares for the Canadian people. NDP got my vote, and will continue unless the liberals can remove their heads from their asses.
      • Alexcarrier, on 05/21/2008, -6/+3Bloc FTW!!!!
        • aidave, on 05/21/2008, -2/+3Yet the Bloc supports the Conservatives.
        • ploke, on 05/21/2008, -2/+7Bloc PLV?

          sigh, no one will get that.
        • Speed, on 05/21/2008, -1/+2Ploke: I assume PLV is the french equivalent of FTW?
        • ploke, on 05/21/2008, -1/+2not really, just my crappy direct translation (pour la victoire)
        • xXMetalJesusXx, on 05/21/2008, -1/+2PLG would work better...Pour le gagne. But I haven't taken french in about 7 years, so I could be way off.
      • Coffeedemon, on 05/21/2008, -1/+3I've often thought its because they have little to lose. They're not as bad as the Greens for hare-brained ideas yet.
      • xtremesniper, on 05/21/2008, -1/+4The NDP is the only party left that cares simply because they have to do everything they can to get as many votes as they can. The Liberals and the Conservatives are pretty comfortable with taking turns being in power. Trust me, the NDP would be no different if they had a run or two in power.
      • MarkusDee, on 05/21/2008, -5/+2Umm, didn't the NDP give us PM Harper?

        I am alright with the Liberals right now. I think patience and time gives Canadians the opportunity to see what a Republican wannabe these new Cons really are (and how the Libs differ). Nothing would have been worse than a CPC majority, so if the Libs can keep the Cons from doing any real lasting damage (i.e. deregulate everything and spend us into a big deficit - probably by way of military spending) while at the same time introducing the country to Mr. Dion (who I think is very underrated) then that is good.
        • xtremesniper, on 05/21/2008, -1/+4Harper is Conservative.
        • MarkusDee, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1I guess I wasn't clear enough. Yes, Harper is a conservative, and the ConservativeReformAllianceParty are most responsible for giving him to us. However, in 2006 when the opposition parties (including the NDP) voted against the confidence of the house which lead to this current government I hold them somewhat complicit in giving us PMSH.

          Now the NDP think they can take the moral high ground and oppose everything the Conservatives are doing ... which is a lot easier to do when you have no chance of forming government and don't need to show that you are government in waiting. So, thanks NDP for helping bring this regressive bunch of a-holes into power.

          I miss the days of the NDP who cared more about people than political stunts (I'm looking at Jack "Shooter" Layton here). I still wish they would have chosen Bill Blaikie leader. I fear the NDP are losing their way ... all they seem to want to do these days is rag on Liberals to the detriment of our country. With the rise of the Greens in Canada now the NDP better be careful or they will find they have become completely irrelevant in Canadian Politics (which would be a shame).
        • Xondar, on 05/22/2008, -0/+2MarkusDee, you seem to forget that Paul Martin sucked pretty bad. He was a corporate fat cat himself and was little better than Harper currently is.

          He only wanted to be PM because his daddy lost the Liberal leadership race to Pierre Trudeau.

          I, for one, think it's the NDP's turn at having a minority government, if only to teach the Liberals and Tories that what they've been doing is unacceptable. Maybe the Bloc can have a go after the NDP (I'm sure they'd lose a confidence vote as fast as you can say "sovereignty" so I wouldn't worry about them messing anything up too much.)
  • BXRWXR, on 05/21/2008, -2/+18***** DMCA!
  • Nenb, on 05/21/2008, -1/+8I feel sad to bury this for the misleading headline. The Canadian DMCA equivalent will not criminalize copyright, in fact it will make copyright even stricter.
  • jexxie, on 05/21/2008, -0/+2Email sent, and probably flagged and forwarded to /dev/null.
  • TheUngod, on 05/21/2008, -5/+25Blame Americaaaa
    • danarama, on 05/21/2008, -1/+10blame huge international media corporations and their control over politics in both countries
      • JcbAzPx, on 05/21/2008, -0/+3That's a bit harder to sing.
        • danarama, on 05/21/2008, -0/+2ya it doesn't have the same ring to it, no less true
  • bokep, on 05/21/2008, -0/+9Can someone put all of this in layman's terms? I'm reading the Wikipedia article on the DMCA and I don't understand a thing.

    Not gonna blindly email my MP about something I don't really know.
  • hillkiwi, on 05/21/2008, -18/+2I'm sure I'll be dugg down for this but as a Canadian I would actually like this to happen. I don't mind paying for content, but since I live Canada some services of Netflix to Sony are blocked due to our current laws.

    If bringing these laws into place will make that content accessible so be it.
    • Nenb, on 05/21/2008, -2/+11I understand your sentiment, however the very notion of removing control from the owner of the content and giving it to the copyright holder is backwards and even if it might give a short term benefit (such as making Netflix take up commerce) in the long run it will hamper all IP based businesses. In the long run you will lose out on many businesses.
    • Xondar, on 05/22/2008, -0/+2You do realize we have alternatives to NetFlix right?

      http://www.zip.ca/dvd/index.aspx
      • hillkiwi, on 05/22/2008, -0/+1I pretty sure I can order videos from Netflix, it's their 'download and view now' service that is blocked for my region (which is what I would like to use at 1:00am at the office).

        Thanks for the link though.
  • akston, on 05/21/2008, -0/+4Dugg! The people, united... well, you know. Hopefully.
  • spacebuddy, on 05/21/2008, -5/+20Piracy is a right in Canada, please do not change this.
    • tehnico, on 05/21/2008, -1/+11Incorrect. Piracy defined as illegal copying doesn't exist since all copying is legal.
  • DteK, on 05/21/2008, -13/+2Canada...America's hat.
    • Coffeedemon, on 05/21/2008, -1/+2Hooray for T-Shirts! Political and social commentary shorthand for when you just can't come up with an idea on your own.
      • DteK, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1
      • DteK, on 05/21/2008, -2/+1I can only laugh. lay off the extra shots of expresso in your double mocha latte capa whateva the ***** your hopped up on.

        EDIT: I came up with that before I saw your name, LOL
  • s7ark, on 05/21/2008, -1/+12I emailed the Liberal party of Canada, hopefully they actually stand up to Harper Co. on this bill.
    • aidave, on 05/21/2008, -0/+4Liberals stand up to Harper? HAHAHA!!! That'll be the day.

      Sure they'll whine a bit, then vote the way Harper wants them to.
  • Jorin, on 05/21/2008, -0/+29Thank you for digging this. We get drowned out by American issues in almost every media outlet, but Canadians need to pay more attention to what's happening here. We can't do ***** about Obama and Iraq but we can at least try to get on top of our own government.
  • hitkaiser, on 05/21/2008, -13/+4DMCA is not all that bad, as a photographer who puts his photos online they get stolen every now and again and put up in various sites without permission. I have served DMCA take down notices before to providers such as imageshack, myspace etc.. and they usually remove said images quite fast..
    • jp12380, on 05/21/2008, -0/+2That justifies it being overly strict.
    • ILoveTrance, on 05/21/2008, -2/+1hitkaiser you are wasting your time. All the kids digging this don't make money from actually creating something. they are all just slaves to the man and have no real world experience in collecting intellectual property. These kids don't inspire, they hold back the human potential.

      This thread is a horrifying glimpse into the banal of human culture.
  • Chaotix, on 05/21/2008, -0/+25From BoingBoing Comments (thanks Derek whoever u are):
    ***
    SUBJECT: Outcry Against Canadian DMCA

    Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

    As a concerned member of the public, I urge you to take a stand again against the deeply flawed copyright bill which Minister Prentice is introducing over the next little while. As an artist myself, I am deeply disturbed by the events that are occurring in the United States and steadfastly opposed to any replication of the same mistakes in Canada. I urge you to stand up for the rights of Canadians and to vote against this bill.

    For further education on this topic, I implore you to look at this article written by Michael Geist entitled, "My Fair Copyright for Canada Principles", in which he states: "...[W]e know that tens of thousands of Canadians oppose a Canadian DMCA, but what kind of reform would or should they support? ... Although the optimal approach would be to launch a public consultation on the issue, there is reason to doubt that the government will do so. In that case, I would point to eight key principles that should be addressed to maintain a balanced, fair approach to Canadian copyright law."

    http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/2572/125/

    Thank you for your time and assistance,

    (name)
    (city, province)

    ***

    That template was used for my MP and the PM. For Mr. Prentice, I whittled it to:

    ***
    SUBJECT: Outcry Against Canadian DMCA

    Dear Mr. Prentice,

    As a concerned member of the public, I urge you to reconsider the deeply flawed copyright bill which you are introducing over the next little while. As an artist myself, I am deeply disturbed by the events that are occurring in the United States and steadfastly opposed to any replication of the same mistakes in Canada. I urge you to stand up for the rights of Canadians.

    Thank you for your time,

    (name)
    (city, province)

    ***
    • Speed, on 05/21/2008, -0/+3I would advise that people don't use just the form letter. While this is well written, if you personalize it, it will send the message that these are actual people who will take the time to fight this, not arm chair activists who will only do ***** if it doesn't cause them work.
      • HonoredMule, on 05/21/2008, -0/+3I like to start with a form letter because it organizes my thoughts and gives me a place to start. Then I edit it until it is in my words and made personal, and the points most relevant to me are given more focus. Depending on how good the original letter was, my version may have a very similar structure but partially original content, or be a whole new beast, 2-3 times the size of the original. Either way, the form letter is a big help getting off the ground (especially if you're too mad or upset to think straight or simply pressed for time and addressing a delicate issue).
  • ploke, on 05/21/2008, -2/+4Notice the "may be established" part of the title. The law could be a big (bad) deal, but as of right now the law doesn't exist. It hasn't been put in front of the house of commons yet and it probably won't be this year, as there are only two weeks left before summer break.

    Lets be alert and crush this thing if it goes forward, but don't freak out yet.
    • Chaotix, on 05/21/2008, -1/+3The whole point is that Prentice is attempting to push this through QUICKLY. Assuming before the two weeks are up. He is doing it without consultation of ANYONE and will slip it past unless we notify our MP's to vote against it.
  • tehnico, on 05/21/2008, -0/+11Please, when forwarding remember to forward the email to the opposition critics as well.
    The Industry opposition critics for Jim Prentice are:

    Liberal Critics:
    --------------------------------------
    Scott Brison
    (Science and Technology)

    Sukh Dhaliwal
    (Competitiveness & New Economy)

    Dan McTeague
    (Consumer Affairs)

    Ken Boshcoff
    (Fed. Economic Development Initiative N. Ontario)

    Mark Eyking
    (Small Business, Tourism)

    Tony Martin
    (Development Initiative N. Ontario)


    Bloc Critic:
    -------------------------------
    Paule Brunelle


    NDP Critic:
    --------------------------------
    Peggy Nash
    Tony Martin
    (Development Initiative N. Ontario)


    And just for fun, why not include the Opposition to the prime minister, Stéphane Dion.

    Contact information for any or all of these members can be found here.
    http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Lists/Members.aspx ...
    • rcorman, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1In addition to the MPs, I sent notes off to the major Canadian Television Networks, CBC, CTV and Global informing them about this potential law and what it could mean to Canadians.
  • tattertech, on 05/21/2008, -1/+16Woohoo! I'm all for criminalizing copyrights. Take that copyright holders - you're in violation of the law!
  • combatgoose, on 05/21/2008, -0/+3I hope every caring Canadian dose this.

    I've already emailed them all.

    Now if I could only meet the PM again at a hockey game, I could have a nice little one on one chat.
  • Kinjiru, on 05/21/2008, -1/+4Alright everyone... digg this up... get it maximum attention and all of you.. Canadian or not email the bastards in charge to tell em off!!!
  • JesseJay, on 05/21/2008, -0/+2As a Canadian citizen I will fully support any oppostion to increased copyright restrictions, but do we have any links to what the bill is proposing? As much as I am against increased copyright laws I'm not about to contact the PM and my MP without first knowing what I am asking them to oppose on my behalf.
    • combatgoose, on 05/21/2008, -1/+1It's rather self explanatory.

      It's basically a reincarnation of the American DMCA. The previous attempt to make the amendments failed in November.

      Look it up.
    • tehnico, on 05/21/2008, -0/+3Also this is more of a pre-emptive strike on the bill. It is very likely that he will introduce it (again) sometime during this session. Getting everyone on board to instantly squash it (again) will send a very strong message.
    • phoomp, on 05/21/2008, -0/+2That's the problem. No one knows what this bill is proposing because no one has spoken to the public about it.
  • captric, on 05/21/2008, -9/+3Canadians - trying to be just like Americans again.
    • iMike360, on 05/21/2008, -1/+8Ya, but where actually fighting it, not sitting on our ass's as our government ***** us.
    • captric, on 05/22/2008, -1/+1Actually you ARE setting on your asses as your government ***** you. Your government represents the political operatives and not the people. Your government is surveilling you and you cant do anything about it. Your government cant control drug usage, medical care, dental care or poverty.
    • banderwocky, on 05/22/2008, -0/+2Correction - One Canadian who thinks he is American attempting to enforce an outdated assbackwards American law in another country. It will most likely be stopped, just like last time.
  • Allik, on 05/21/2008, -0/+3Email sent to the PM, MP's, and the Minister of Industry.
  • felidaeus, on 05/21/2008, -4/+2We have rocks and trees and trees and rocks and rocks and trees and trees and rocks and rocks and trees and trees and rocks and rocks and trees and trees and rocks and Prentiiiiiiiiiiiiice.

    In Canada (canada, canada, canada), In canada(canada, canada, canada), In Canaaaaaadaaaaaaaaaaaa!

    Amazing. He has the same IQ as rest of them, so he fits in fine.
  • ILoveTrance, on 05/21/2008, -9/+1It's apparent you kids are confused about the difference between the RIAA and the stupid ***** locks placed on music sold on Itunes and what the DMCA actually is.

    It's either that, or you don't believe musicians should be paid for anything.

    The comments in this thread show that you kids have no ***** clue what you are talking about. You all sound like McCain trying to explain Iraq.
    • thall, on 05/21/2008, -0/+2DMCA and Bill C-60 are not the best ways to deter copyright infringement. These ones come with too many strings attached, please go back to the drawing board and find a better solution.
  • Diggnabbit, on 05/21/2008, -6/+0In what sense is the U.S.'s DMCA a " failed Digital Millennium Copyright Act?" I mean, it's unpopular, obviously, but I wouldn't say that it has "Failed."
    • trigafinga, on 05/21/2008, -0/+4It has failed in that it has criminalized activities that should be legal. It has made everyday, ethical behaviours criminal acts.
    • combatgoose, on 05/21/2008, -0/+2Has the DMCA created a downward trend in the acquisition of copyrighted material by consumers? Better yet, have all the lawsuits? No.
    • Adelie, on 05/21/2008, -1/+1hmm... Oh, misleading headline. I'd assumed Canadia was trying to pass an earlier revision of DMCA that never passed. Oh well.
    • phoomp, on 05/21/2008, -0/+3It's failed because it goes WAY beyond simply trying to prevent piracy.
  • encrypter, on 05/21/2008, -0/+8Join the facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6315846683

    I'm really happy this is getting some publicity. Let's rally together and put a stop to this.
  • mCanada, on 05/21/2008, -0/+10Someone had asked, what is the DMCA? The DMCA criminalizes your ability to "circumvent" any copyright technology, even if you own that very work. An example: lets say you buy a song from iTunes and your iPod breaks. You do have a Samsung player which you could play the song on. You decide to use a special software program to remove the Digital Rights Management from the iTunes song (which is a form of protection covered under the DMCA). You have just broken the law under the DMCA. Lets say I were to write the lyrics to a song on one side of piece of paper and fold it so that those lyrics were covered and seal the paper closed with a sticker. You came along and removed that sticker (to view my lyrics). By the DMCA you have "circumvented a technological measure" and once again become a criminal. For these very reasons if this law is passed, virtually every person in Canada will become a criminal thanks to Mr. Prentice's bill. Send the Boing Boing link to your facebook, myspace, email. Send it to your friends, family , professors, school newspapers, city newspapers. This will affect us all for years to come if we don't act! The American's were hit with it in '96 and it's unlikely any Senator or President will go against such a massive lobby!
  • sprotacular, on 05/21/2008, -0/+5I got an email back from my MP's "legislative assistant" who said they hadn't heard of the bill yet, but would keep my email on file for when they did.
    • Allik, on 05/22/2008, -0/+1My MP said the same and seemed concerned about it. So people keep sending those emails, they are keeping them on file!
  • trigafinga, on 05/21/2008, -0/+3I have sent unique emails to my MP, Mionsiter Prentice and the PM. I will be calling my MP tonight and I urge all other Canadians to do the same. We could also use your help America. Send your opinions to Prentice and Harper and communicate the broad negative impact it has had.

    Thanks,
    triga
  • antitomato, on 05/21/2008, -4/+14Digg this ONLY if you sent email.
  • nuxx, on 05/21/2008, -0/+3dugg, twittered, pownced, blogged and generally disseminating this information as quickly as I can.
  • mHtt, on 05/21/2008, -0/+2This should turn out to be as humorous as other failed attempts by overzealous democracies to dictate policy, rather than to receive policy from their electorate.

    The problem with digital rights in a democracy is that the majority of people want the easiest access possible to their favorite music, for example, free & online...

    Instead of finding a suitable alternative, they (the gov.) slap a big illegal tag on it.

    Idiots...
  • banderwocky, on 05/21/2008, -0/+14this douche is so desperate to be an American, his ass should be tossed out of this country.
  • Jimbob200, on 05/21/2008, -1/+1Prendouche.
  • b0rna, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1the second this law passes, i'm moving to encrypted hard drives and peer guardian.
  • Maniaca, on 05/21/2008, -0/+3I tried emailing Prentice about Bell Canada's throttling of third-party DSL providers. Fat lot of good it did me. His response during Question Period was essentially "It's not my problem (and if it were, I wouldn't care)"

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5UvAKcxTGE&feature ...

    Let's hope the NDP keep at them.
    • Xondar, on 05/22/2008, -0/+1At least the CRTC is opening up debate on throttling. I hope Bell and co. get their asses handed to them.
  • nbrntrt, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1I think this film sums up the fact that "piracy" is unstoppable. http://www.stealthisfilm.com/Part2/
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