I’m running out the door to sign at Book Expo, but I have to put up this assortment of voices denouncing Bill C-61, the new copyright law proposed by the Conservatives earlier this week. Overall, I agree that it’s bad for Canadians and fantastic for Hollywood and the American record labels. Jesse Hirsh appeared on CBC radio and explains why it’s bad in the video below:
Michael Geist has a barrel full of reasons why it’s bad and what you can do about it.
Digital Copyright Canada is on top of the recent developments and Appropriation Art has even put together 51st State, a comic book explaining the real reasons why the minority Conservative government is so eager to ram this bill through Parliament just weeks before it breaks for summer. The pdf comic is fully linked with sources that will debunk the myths about Canadian copyright that the right are using to frame this issue (like how Canada has weak copyright laws, even though Canada is ranked in the top 10 for the best Intellectual Property laws.)
But mostly, the thing that stinks about this bill is the way it’s being introduced: right at the end of this year’s session and with no consultation with ordinary Canadians.
If you own an ipod, surf the web or plan on accessing culture (ie watching movies) in the future. This bill concerns you.
Gotta run and sign some books.
