Copyright Consultations
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Archived - Audet, Samuel
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- How do Canada's copyright laws affect you? How should existing laws be modernized?
As a software developer, the copyright laws do not affect me much. There already exists satisfactory free software licenses that appear to work well within the current framework.
However, as a consumer of works such as music, books, TV programs, and movies, the current laws do not work well with digital distribution. For example, I am a Canadian currently living in Japan, but I am unable to watch many Canadian TV programs because it is illegal to rebroadcast on the Internet.
- Based on Canadian values and interests, how should copyright changes be made in order to withstand the test of time
In my opinion, the three main themes on which the government should concentrate are:
- Avoid draconian measures similar to the DMCA that removes from consumers the freedom to use digital goods they buy in the way they wish to use them.
- Establish special laws that would make it easier to distribute and consume digital goods over the Internet.
- Prevent allowing extensions of copyright to time frames larger than the life of the human authors of the work.
- What sorts of copyright changes do you believe would best foster innovation and creativity in Canada?
If authors could have easier access to the work of other authors, on the Internet for example, ideas would circulate better and faster, enhancing creativity. Also, people could save time and start working on their own ideas faster.
- What sorts of copyright changes do you believe would best foster competition and investment in Canada?
I do not believe in competition, but cooperation. In this mindset, what would promote cooperation would be to allow further reuse of original work by other authors. In my opinion, this would expand the base of development for additional original work, and automatically invite more investments.
If artists fear such changes because they would receive less money back, a centralized money bank for artists could be established. This money would be taken from taxes, and hopefully the population at large would find this acceptable given the wider range of free or cheap content available online.
- What kinds of changes would best position Canada as a leader in the global, digital economy?
Any kind of changes that allows easier distribution and consumption of goods on the Internet.
