Leaked document: How the EU planned
to force changes in Canada's copyright
Michael Geist writes in with revolting news about the EU-Canada Free Trade Agreement and the EU's tactics on copyright: "The European Union and Canada are scheduled to resume negotiations on a free trade agreement with the EU hoping to pressure Canada into new IP and copyright reforms that include term extension, DMCA legislation, resale rights, and ISP liability. Now a negotiating strategy document has leaked revealing plans for increasing political pressure and dismissing a Canadian public consultation on copyright as nothing more than a 'tactic to confuse.'"
Now a second document has leaked, though it is not currently available online. The Wire Report reports that an EU document dated November 16, 2009, features candid comments about Canada and the EU strategy. The document, called a "Barrier Hymn Sheet" leaves little doubt about the EU's objective:EU's IP Negotiating Strategy With Canada Leaks: Calls 2009 Copyright Consult a "Tactic to Confuse" (Thanks, Michael!)"Put pressure on Canada so that they take IPR issues seriously and remedy the many shortcomings of their IPR protection and enforcement regime..."
The document states that the trade negotiations are a "unique opportunity [for Canada] to upgrade its IPR regime despite local anti-IPR lobbying." It includes an assessment of recent copyright reform efforts, noting that two bills have died due to "political instability." The document adds that the copyright reform process was revived in 2009 with the national copyright consultation, but notes dismissively it may have been a "tactic to confuse."
Previously:
- Canadian Copyright Consultation submission from Tucows and David ...
- US pressured Canada to join copyright complaint against China ...
- How the Canadian copyright lobby uses fakes, fronts, and circular ...
- Canadian copyright consultation -- video explains why you should ...
- Michael Geist's movie: "Why Copyright? Canadian Voices on ...
- Canadian election Copyright Pledge gains steam - Boing Boing
- Canadian copyright lobbyists leaned on "independent" researchers ...
- Fair Copyright for Canada materials to bring to the Calgary ...
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This is frickin' disgusting. I am sick of the lies from both government and business. Our democracy - such as it is - has been hijacked by sociopaths who don't give a crap what the citizens of this country want for themselves. I hope this bites Harper in the ass and shreds even further what little respect voters may have for him and his party. beyond partisan politics it's also important for people to continue raising their voices against these extra-parliamentary hijinks where corporate interests define social policy with utter disregard for the will of the people. I am f*cking fumingly spitting mad about this.
I predict the law will pass despite public outcry because Canada cares too much about what other nations think of her.
That said, they can pass all the laws they want but it won't change people's behaviour. People will continue to share copyrighted music, movies, and software. They're starting to share books too!
If you read through the comments on many of Geist's previous posts, you may notice an alarming trend:
People are understandably upset over these proposed agreements and laws, and they are blaming artists for them!
As an artist, I want to know something:
What can I do to make it clear that these corporate ass hats do not speak for me?
It is absolutely disgusting. As an artist, my voice in the matter has been silenced, and as a Canadian citizen, my vote has been ignored to please foreign interest.
I don't hear many actual artists screaming out that they need more copyright. You might hear a few arguing for it, but those are the well-known rich old guys who have profited immensely from the old way of doing things. You don't hear from the other 99% Try asking them.
I propose a radical idea: Instead of listening to what a bunch of foreign middle-men have to say about Canadian law and what's good for artists, how about we try asking some actual Canadians, and some artists what they want?
so will canada remove the tax on recordable media if they accept copywrite laws that stop them passing copies onto their family?
[s]btw canada is far to socialist[/s] & now the money men are coming to exploit your happiness.
Cory... What can we do about this? I am Canadian and think this is insane but it seems that nobody but big corporations and entertainment companies are listened to.
Contact your MP.
Oppose the current proroguing of parliament and ask the opposition parties to raise this issue in parliament.
Write to the local media and emphatically shame whatever part of government is playing along with these secret negotiations for behaving in a way that is both undemocratic and unpatriotic.
Riot in the streets? (I'm all out of ideas here...)