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Archived - Darling, Mary
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copyright modernization bad as is
consultation on copyright modernization
The proposed legislation is badly worded and will be harmful to Canada over the long run. Any legislation similar to Bill C-61 will have profound negative effects on researchers and educators as well as the general public. There are five substantive issues contained in Bill C-61, which are again a problem; non-circumvention measures, format shifting, contractual over rise of fair dealing, statutory damages, and destruction of content.
This copyright 'modernization' will place Canada at a disadvantage internationally and will even more significantly marginalize e-learning and distance education. I am a student at Athabasca University in Alberta, and this is threatening my ability to graduate. E-learning institutions now reach over 20 million learners per year with Canada as a recognized world leader in telecommunications and learning. This legislation could well end the ability to contribute to building Canadian and overseas learning communities. Countries with wiser copyright regimes that promote educational use will catapult ahead of Canada. No longer will we be internationally competitive because of the restrictions contained in the legislation. We need to seek balance between the protection of rights, the rights of learners, and our international competitiveness in distance and e-learning. Listen to the people and re-think this legislation.
Mary Darling
Hamilton, Ontario
