Copyright law could leave consumers vulnerable

Found on The Canadian Press on Saturday, 13 January 2007
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Ever recorded a television show or a movie so you can watch it later? Or ripped a CD so you can listen to it on your MP3 player?

With changes to Canada's copyright laws expected as early as next month, these mundane 21st century activities could theoretically be open to prosecution — unless the Conservative government steps in with expanded "fair use" or "fair dealing" protections for consumers.

Exacerbating the situation is intense pressure from the United States, where Canada is considered a rogue when it comes to copyright and intellectual property. It still hasn't ratified a 1997 World Intellectual Property Organization copyright treaty.

As well, a group of Canadian musicians, including the Barenaked Ladies and Broken Social Scene, have come out against the technological protection measures, arguing they actually stifle creativity and their relationship with consumers.

Everybody is a rogue for the US who doesn't play their game of locking down content and screwing over people. That's awfully similar to Allofmp3, where the US bullied Russia to take action against a legal service; or in the case of Piratebay, where the US put pressure on swedish officials to perform an illegal raid. Hopefully, the people from Canada will stand up against this.