Andre Yoskowitz
15 Apr 2007 20:21
In a move that will emulate the DMCA, a new copyright legislation will be coming to Canada and could possibly be introduced as soon as this spring.
A Canadian law professor, Michael Geist, suggests that the new bill is very similar to a failed bill that was introduced last year but this new edition adds tougher anti-circumvention laws and "carves out additional exceptions for educators."
The new copyright reform, whenever it comes should adress "fair use" in Canada because the current model is very limited. It only allows fair use when it is intended for "research or private study." There are a few extra exceptions such as news reporting, educational institutions, and museums and libraries, but there are no ways to use the content or even comment on it without getting a liscense from the copyright holder.
For those not familiar with the US model for "fair use", it allows allows for "criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research."
The criticism and comment section are the largest exceptions to copyright law as it allows anyone to create parody video clips using protected content. Although very vague, the US model allows for a good share of flexibility, but that has also become a problem for groups who do not belive in fair use.
We hope that Canada will address their limited fair use policy and perhaps allow more consumer freedom in this latest bill.
Source:
Arstechnica