ARCHIVED — Darren Andrews
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 Darren Andrews and Steve Manley received on September 14, 2001 via e-mail
Subject: Comments on Consultation Paper on Digital Copyright Issues
Industry Canada235 Queen Street
5th Floor West
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0H5
fax: (613) 941-8151
RE: Comments - Government of Canada Copyright Reform
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/rp01099e.html
To Industry Canada, Intellectual Property Policy Directorate, and all other interested agencies:
We are researchers within the University College of Cape Breton’s (UCCB) Microelectronics Laboratory and we write this letter to express grave concern regarding the extreme intellectual property provisions within the Consultation Paper on Digital Copyright Issues.
The provisions under consideration within the consultation paper would amend the Canadian Copyright Act to ban, with few exceptions, software and use of information that circumvent copy prevention technologies. This would have a severe negative impact on the device design and computer security research fields as software tools to perform reverse-engineering, an integral component of carrying out research in these areas, will become illegal. If the scope of the copyright amendments is too broad, it has the potential to turn legitimate researchers into criminals. Take seriously any amendments that restrict freedoms that Canadians already enjoy.
Additionally, we are concerned about the elimination/restriction of fair use copying of copyrighted material. If we purchase a software, video, or audio product, we would wish to have the option of making a backup copy of the material in the event that the original becomes damaged. Techniques and technology used to produce backups could be made illegal. Restrictions on fair use will also limit research activities regarding duplication of literature to be used in research.
We urge you to remove the provisions within the consultation paper that would limit these freedoms and restrict legitimate research. We encourage you to respect the rights and freedoms of all Canadians potentially affected by this legislation and act in the best public interest.
Sincerely,
Darren Andrews
Steve Manley
(address removed)
- Date modified:
