ARCHIVED — Bill Rosgen
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COPYRIGHT REFORM PROCESS
SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED REGARDING THE CONSULTATION PAPERS
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Submission from Bill Rosgen received on September 9, 2001 via e-mail
Subject: Canadian Copyright Reform
To agencies concerned with copyright reform,
I wish to express my concerns regarding the Consultation Paper on Digital Copyright Issues (CPCDI). The proposals regarding intellecual propterty will sacrifice freedom of speech, to protect publishers of media.
I believe these measures are based on the Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA) in the US. This law has been disastrous for freedom of speech in the US. The respected academic Edward Felten was prevented from presenting academic findings in the field of cryptography because he was threatended under the DMCA. Also a Russian programmer was arrested in the US merely because he was the author of a program which was perfectly legal in Russia, but (without his knowledge) this program was distributed in the US, and when visiting the US for a conference he was arrested and awaits trial. I believe the provisions in the CPDCI are just as threatening to free speech in Canada as the DMCA has been in the US.
These provisions would allow a virtual ban on software which allows copy protection measures to be bypassed. This is similar to banning automobiles because it is possible to break the posted maximum speed laws. These provision would remove futher from Canadians the freedom of speech which is guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
I understand that freedom of speech needs to be limited in some circumstances, for example hate speech, which is a benifit to all canadian citizens. In this case, the freedoms of Canadian citizens would be sacrificed for (largely American) corporate interests. This would be the mark of a corporate state, something I, as a Canadian citizen do not wish to see happen here in Canada.
I would stronly urge you to remove the anti-freedom provisions from the CPDCI. The DMCA has been a flawed law in the US, it should not be imported into Canada.
Sincerely,
Bill Rosgen
(Address removed)
(I apologize for not being able to send a written letter, but the deadline is fast approaching)
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