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Archived - Henning, Sam
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Sirs,
In response to your request for comments of Copyright reform (bill C-61), I would like to add my "two-cents":
I believe in 'fair use' — material that I have properly acquired, purchased or public domain, then I should be able to use it as I see fit. This would include making copies to other media for my own use, with no restrictions. 'Sharing' with others who have not properly acquired the material would not be appropriate, except for reasonable provisions for such things as music/video "remix", and written citing.
Any reforms must take into account rapidly changing technology, and be flexible and adaptive to such changes. Going the US-style (and WIPO) DMCA-like route is regressive/Luddite in nature and will only serve to relegate Canada to the backwoods of the future.
Canada's current laws and our bill C-60, already world leaders, are good examples of the route C-61 should take. The work of Dr. Michael Geist should be the main guide for your work.
In the long term, enlightened legislation is far more beneficial to all parties than restrictive measures (that are probably short-term profitable).
Sincerely
Sam Henning
Sutton West
Ontario
