Talk:Copyright Consultation Submission draft

Rob.s.brit (Rob Britton) Comments 24/08/09
I'm still not sure about the non-commercial sharing, I feel that it undermines the idea of compensation. Sure, it is fine that you loan a copy of something to your friend for a weekend, or burn a CD for your parents to listen to in the car. However to mass-distribute it over the Internet for free? Why would anybody pay for it then? It is essentially the same thing, but it is the scale that makes it different. Where does one draw the line?

I think "wars could be fought over it" is a little excessive.

Intro

 * research papers
 * Need a new intro that describes who we are. Made an intro Odemia

1. How do Canada’s copyright laws affect you?

 * Need get this out of first person, possibly some more general comments Odemia
 * What copyright terms does the party support or do we want to go with a range of lengths? For now I changed this to say "drastically reduce" Odemia

2. Based on Canadian values and interests, how should copyright changes be made in order to withstand the test of time?
"We are a very private people compared to say, the USA, although probably less private than most of Europe"
 * Is this really true? Does it really add anything to the argument? Changed to "Canadians enjoy their privacy"

Tried re-writing this section.

"The primary Canadian value at risk and often forgotten in these discussions is privacy. Canadians enjoy their privacy. Many corporate lobbyists suggest that Internet Service Providers collect and retain all internet traffic of all their customers to act as copyright police.  This is clearly a drastic invasion of privacy.

Another core Canadian value is the desire to create. Some lobbyists are also asking for legal protection of digital locks. This would make format shifting illegal and by extension would allow distributors to create new proprietary platform with digital locks. The sole distributor for each proprietary platform would then be it's creator. This could severely limit Canadian creators ability to reach their audience. Creators would be forced to make separate deals for distribution on each platform and Canadian consumers would be forced to repurchase all their content every time they purchase a new media player.

Our country has a very unique heritage with many unique works of art not created anywhere else. If the large media outlets get their way, they will have complete control over all creative works. They will get to pick and choose which artists get shown to the public and which ones get placed in the equivalent of a creative prison with no access to potential readers, viewers, or listeners. We will be steered by purely corporate interests and our cultural works will be marginalized and ultimately, lost."

3. What sorts of copyright changes do you believe would best foster innovation and creativity in Canada?
"a) force capable artists and inventors to come up with new ideas instead of living off the fruits of a single idea for their entire lives"
 * I think this comes off as artist hating. We should instead focus on the fact that creators never really stop creating and the commercial lifespan being short. Changed to "allow capable artists and inventors who come up with new ideas to continue to make a living off the fruits of their efforts"

"They can constructively spend time improving existing works instead of trying to circumvent other good ideas that they do not have access to."
 * Sounds like a patent argument. Maybe we can make it a little more clear by explaining a computer scientist circumventing an copyright, a documentary film maker clearing every last incidental copyright or a researcher grappling with creating a presentation about their work.  Changed to "allow more time and money to be spent on creativity and innovation instead of on lawyers and legal proceedings that do not further the creative process"

4. What sorts of copyright changes do you believe would best foster competition and investment in Canada?
"Investment"
 * I think we can deal with investment a little better.
 * We have to start investing in all of our creators not just a select few
 * Point out the creation of the Pirate Party Sweden, UK, Germany and EU. Suggest that Canada seek new treaties.
 * We could also advise careful consideration of plans like those of SAC plan, and at least commend them for being innovative in trying to create investment in creators while dealing with reality instead of holding onto the past as the distributors seem to be intent on doing.
 * Last we should probably point out that pursuing these changes really is an investment in our own creators by getting a jump on the market.

"Shorter copyright termsand no legal protection for digital locks will encourage competition. Companies and artists would increase production of creative works in a continual search for profitable works while and innovating distribution channels to reach larger audiences and serve consumers better.

Investment, especially foreign investment will always depend on treaties and agreements. There is a growing movement internationally to reduce copyright restriction, it is important that Canada be a leader in the movement and signal to Canadian businesses and artists to start creating a “new-style” publishing industry, so that we may be in a position to take advantage of the direct access to a global audience as new treaties are formed. There is no doubt that currently powerful companies will shun investment in the new model. This loss in investment must be weighed against the financial and privacy cost of monitoring every file downloaded by Canadians."

5. What kinds of changes would best position Canada as a leader in the global, digital economy?

 * Worry this section is a little too anti-american
 * Definitely like the focus on being a leader rather than waiting, we should play this up, re-iterate the new pirate parties and the up coming ones.

"Canada's largest trading partner is the US, however in the digital economy proximity means little. The digital economy by nature is global, as such Canada needs to look at the entire world for inspiration. Europe has already elected Pirate Party members focused on copyright reform similar to what I have described.   It is inevitable that massive reform, even revolutions in copyright law will occur. Canada can be at the front of this movement by changing our laws first, seeking out new trade agreements, and by doing it the way we always do: peacefully."