Canadian Groups Seek Sweeping Internet Copyright Law Changes

[mandy]

As thousands of children across the province return to school tomorrow, nearly everyone will be asking "what did you do this summer?" If the question were posed to Education Minister Sandra Pupatello, her candid reply might be that she was working with her fellow provincial ministers of education on reforms that will have damaging consequences on Internet use in Canada

The Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC)...brings together the ministers of education from across Canada (with the exception of Quebec) to work on issues of mutual concern. At the moment, one such issue is the use of the Internet in the classroom, with CMEC lobbying for a special exception that would allow the education community to freely use any works that are publicly available on the Internet...

Moreover, it is far better than a counter-proposal from Access Copyright that seeks to develop a new licensing system for the use of Internet-based content. According to documents obtained under the Access to Information Act, the copyright collective has asked the Ministry of Canadian Heritage for funding to become the Canadian collective for a new international standard that can be used to register any "textual work" from books to blogs. Armed with a collection of "registered" online text, Access Copyright will be positioned to create a new license for the use of Internet content...

full article: http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Content...icle_Type1&c=Article&cid=1157321706760&call_pageid=968350072197&col=969048863851

[mandy]

A related article:

Ever recorded a television show or a movie so you can watch it later? Or ripped a CD so you can listen to it on your MP3 player?

With changes to Canada's copyright laws expected as early as next month, these mundane 21st century activities could theoretically be open to prosecution — unless the Conservative government steps in with expanded "fair use" or "fair dealing" protections for consumers.

Close observers of the file say all signs point to a new regime that will improve safeguards for major music, film and media companies and artists for unpaid use of their material, but neglect to make exemptions for personal use of copyrighted content....

full article: http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2007/...anada.html