Rebalance users’ rights with creators’: Telus CEO tells Ottawa businesses

In an October 18 speech at the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, Telus Corp. CEO Darren Entwistle said it’s time for a "regulatory revolution" to go with the digital revolution. In addition to calling for more funding for new media creators, he urged the government to move forward with reforms to the Copyright Act. Below is an excerpt taken from Entwistle’s speech. ….It is time to update our copyright regime. The current legislation was originally created to fairly balance the interests of creators and consumers. Today, it is perversely dampening the opportunities for both. IPods, mobile phones and other new devices are being used by more and more Canadians to play downloaded content – a trend that will only grow. In turn, this provides artists with new platforms to showcase their work. Yet legal uncertainty threatens to undermine these opportunities. How much of a concern is it? Those who download content on one platform – say their laptop – and then export it to another platform such as their Nano or mobile phone would be justified in wondering if they have broken the law. Everyone agrees that artists deserve fair compensation for their work. There is something wrong however, if you are potentially in breach of copyright law every time you digitally record an episode of Trailer Park Boys. The law permits us to copy music to cassettes but, some would suggest, not necessarily to MP3 players. How is that for forward looking? There are those who would argue that you can not even legally transfer CDs you’ve purchased over the counter to your IPod or computer hard drive. The antiquated nature of the copyright regime is nevertheless painfully obvious. Moreover, the ambitions of those who would like to expand services to consumers are stymied by a murky legal landscape. ....I can also assure you that Canadian consumers – particularly younger consumers – want increased freedom in not only their choice of entertainment, but in their choice of platform. An empowered consumer is one who wants to decide not only what to watch, but how. They also want to decide for themselves as to when. For example, new technology would allow viewers to digitally record – and time-shift – their favourite shows using a network based personal video recorder. Rather than buying a home unit for hundreds of dollars why not just rent a little space for a few bucks a month on the distributor’s server? Such a move would be more effective, more simple, and more affordable. The problem is that uncertainties surrounding copyright laws make the capital investment in such a service simply too risky to venture by distributors, who are not going to build if no one will be allowed to come. Telus, therefore, joins with the growing number of copyright creators - and users – in advocating for what we call a ‘living’ fair use model. In a nutshell, this model would mean that copyright has to be flexible enough to permit Canadians to use and transfer legally obtained copyrighted materials – like songs and TV programs – from one technology to another….from their TV to their PVR, and from their iPod to their Mac. In conclusion, we need a new perspective, a new approach and a better toolkit. Our policy and regulatory framework must respect and encourage the empowerment of consumers. It must create an environment that rewards innovation, fosters choice and unleashes creativity. Above all else, our regulatory framework must be forward looking. The CRTC must be able to move swiftly when there is evidence of market abuse. At the same time, consumers and artists must enjoy the freedom they crave.

Rebalance users’ rights with creators’: Telus CEO tells Ottawa businesses

Broadcast | October 31, 2006

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