ARCHIVED — Julian Gollner
Archived Content
Information identified as archived on the Web is for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It has not been altered or updated after the date of archiving. Web pages that are archived on the Web are not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards. As per the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, you can request alternate formats on the "Contact Us" page.
COPYRIGHT REFORM PROCESS
SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED REGARDING THE CONSULTATION PAPERS
Documents received have been posted in the official language in which they were submitted. All are posted as received by the departments, however all address information has been removed.
Submission from Julian Gollner received on September 8, 2001 via e-mail
Subject: Canadian copyright reform
To Industry Canada, the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Intellectual Property Policy Directorate and other concerned agencies:I was recently reading some articles on the DMCA and the newly-proposed SSSCA in the United States. I am very thankful that there are no such draconian laws here in Canada, but then I read that the Canadian equivalent of the DMCA is being considered.
The measures that are being proposed give far, far too much control to the publishers, and, at what cost? Our individual human rights. Sadly, this is not hyperbole. The DMCA has already caused much concern in the international community due to it's broad definition and infringement on human rights, and yet a basic carbon copy of this law is being considered in my country? These copyrights serve absolutely no one other than extremely large (and usually American) corporate copyright interests -- and they give these companies basic free reign to do whatever they will with their so-called "customers."
The provisions to amend the Canadian Copyright Act would ban, with no exceptions, any software or other tools that would allow (in the remotest possibility) to have copy prevention technologies to be bypassed, even if the tool has an overwhelmingly legal use -- just a slight possibility that a tool could be used to bypass such technology would be illegal. Do not say "this could never happen" -- this is EXACTLY what is happening in the United States at this very moment. How is it that PCs are so widespread today? It is because of a company, Pheonix software, that reverse engineered IBM's BIOS (basic input and output system) to allow free market. Reverse engineering, computer security research, and dozens of other perfectly legal uses would become illegal, under penalty of imprisonement and fines. If it weren't for reverse engineering, computers and technology as we know it today would be nowhere near as advanced as it is. These laws stifle innovation and gravely harm the consumer.
These anti-freedom provisions within the CPDCI must be removed. The DMCA is an international debacle (of this there is no doubt), and now it intended to force these same flaws to be forced upon Canadians? Are we living in the middle-ages, where the vassals (corporations) have complete and utter control of 99% of the population? This law is flawed in concept, and MUST NOT be passed.
Sincerely,
Julian Gollner
(address removed)
- Date modified:
