Comment: Add copyright reform and new media funding to wish list

Bringing copyright legislation in line with consumer realities and increased funding for new media efforts make their way onto the 2008 wish list."In the early 1990's there were many people who were fearful of changes that new technology inevitably brings. As a way to slow down this change they came up with a policy direction that suggested that if new communications technologies can be abused to infringe copyright or circumvent established business models, then private citizens should not be able to own and personally control this new technology.This lead to the US's National Information Infrastructure implementation bill in 1995, two WIPO Internet treaties in 1996, the US's Digital Millennium Copyright Act in 1998, and now a bill to implement these treaties intended to be tabled "soon" in Canada.My hope for the new year is that legislators and other policy makers will begin to understand the positive influence on the economy of granting private citizens the right to own and control the tools that form a key means of production and distribution in the new economy. Copyright must still be respected, but part of this respect will need to come by clarifying and simplifying copyright such that it can be understood by those whose activities it governs. In the past this meant only industry since only industry could afford these tools, but now these tools are in the homes, the pockets, and under the Christmas trees of an increasing number of average Canadians."-Russell McOrmond, Internet consultant"All I want for Christmas is a legal iPod, and iPhone, and TiVo.Canadians love their toys, and I'm no exception. Amazingly, Canada's current Copyright Act doesn't provide for the legal use of the primary features of these toys. When you rip a CD to your iPod, or use the TiVo your digital cable service sold you, you technically infringe copyright. The situation appears to be getting worse, not better: as I write this, we are waiting for the federal government to introduce copyright legislation that will make it illegal to unlock an iPhone for use in Canada. In 2008, I'd like to see legislation that brings our copyright laws into step with basic consumer realities."-David Fewer, staff counsel, Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic"How about the CRTC changing the policy so that expenditures on Canadian digital media are eligible as broadcaster Canadian programming expenditures? (Right now it is just television programming that is eligible)."-Andra Sheffer, executive director, Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund"New media productions require a stronger, more substantial system of support. It is important for Canada to build a strong presence in this area now. In this new and changing environment, it is necessary that high end Canadian productions be made available to Canadians, and internationally. The opportunity is there for Canadians to be leaders in this respect, and we hope that the conditions for this type of innovation, be it increased government funding or ISP levies, be established in order to take advantage of this opportunity."-Monique Lafontaine, general counsel and director of regulatory affairs, Directors Guild of Canada

Comment: Add copyright reform and new media funding to wish list

Broadcast | December 20, 2007

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