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Clement's Office Says Copyright Consultations Coming This Summer

By Michael Geist

Among the myriad of reports on the USTR's legally dubious decision to place Canada on the Priority Watch List, one from Reuters is particularly noteworthy as it includes a reaction from Industry Minister Tony Clement's spokesperson.  Darren Cunningham is quoted as saying "we are looking forward to doing consultations on copyright this summer."  This is very important for several reasons.  First, it confirms the timeline for the next copyright bill as being the fall at the earliest.  Second, it suggests that the Government will not simply cave to U.S. pressure and quickly reintroduce a duplicate of the much-criticized Bill C-61.  Third - and most importantly - it opens the door to actual copyright consultations before coming forward with a bill.  Given that the last time a Canadian government consulted on copyright was 2001, a consultation is long overdue.

Full post as published by Michael Geist on April 30, 2009 (boomark / email).