ARCHIVED — Jeffrey William Todd Robinson
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COPYRIGHT REFORM PROCESS
SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED REGARDING THE CONSULTATION PAPERS
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Submission from Jeffrey William Todd Robinson received on September 9, 2001 via e-mail
Subject: Consultation Paper on Digital Copyright Issues (fwd)
This email is an expression of my concern and indeed fear that our government may soon pass a law that would implicitly violate guarantees set out by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.The Consultation Paper on Digital Copyright Issues (CPDCI) discusses the possiblity of crafting legislation similar to the United States' Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA) as a means to prevent circumvention of technological copyright protections. The DMCA has sparked outrage in civil rights and academic circles because it prohibits technology (and hence the development of technology) that enable acts of circumvention. Cryptography researchers in particular, are now unable to pursue legitimate research because they are unable to create the tools (many of which do not qualify for the narrow academic exemption in the DMCA) they require to analyze and improve encryption technology.
If Canada were to adopt a similar approach to anti-circumvention legislation, it would be impinging upon the freedom of researchers to think and act in the interests of scientific advancement. Careful research can deliver technology that give publisher greater control and protection of their works than ever before. Canada should set an example to the world, encouraging research and embracing technology in favour of bowing to corporate fears of technology and restricting freedom.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey William Todd Robinson
(address removed)
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