Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Copyright Law Blogs -> Michael Geist

Copyright Law

: Michael Geist

Speak Out on Copyright: The Bill C-32 Edition

By Michael Geist

Last month, the Bill C-32 Legislative Committee invited Canadians to provide their views on the bill.  The Committee has set the following parameters:

In order for briefs on Bill C-32 to be considered by the Committee in a timely fashion, the document should be submitted to the Committee's mailbox at CC32@parl.gc.ca by the end of January, 2011. A brief which is longer than 5 pages should be accompanied by a 1 page executive summary and in any event should not exceed 10 pages in length.

Thousands of Canadians have spoken out many times on copyright reform, but it is important to do so once more.  Bill C-32 is a better bill than its predecessors and with some tinkering would be a bill worth supporting.  I've written regularly with my views:

• My initial comments on C-32 in June 2010
• My opening statement before the C-32 committee
• A general FAQ on the bill
• A detailed FAQ on the C-32 fair dealing provisions
• A detailed FAQ on the C-32 digital lock rules
• A proposed compromise position on key issues

For a more detailed examination of C-32 and Canadian copyright, I edited From "Radical Extremism" to "Balanced Copyright": Canadian Copyright and the Digital Agenda, a book published in October 2010 that includes 20 essays on a wide range of copyright reform issues.  The book is available in paper version or as a free Creative Commons licenced download.

Even if you have spoken out before - an email or letter to your MP, a letter to the Ministers, a submission to the copyright consultation, or a posting online - it is important to speak out again.  Make sure the committee studying Bill C-32 hear from Canadians about the importance of maintaining a fair approach that does not result in digital locks trumping consumer rights and that advances fair dealing for the benefit of creators, consumers, education, and business.  As noted above, the committee will accept comments until January 31, 2011.

Full post as published by Michael Geist on January 17, 2011 (boomark / email).