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The Canadian government wants your opinions on copyright policies!

Last week, the Canadian government announced Canada's first public copyright consultation for changing copyright policies since 2001, found here. The Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA) advocates for a careful balance between respecting the rights of brand owners and the rights of customers. While protecting copyrights is an ever-present challenge in Canada, it is also evident that consumer rights are being diminished.

This is your opportunity to tell your Senator and Member of the House of Commons what you think about the current state of affairs for Canadian copyright legislation. With issues such as amending the Canadian Copyright Act (formerly known as C-61), as well as protecting consumers from fraud and ID theft (currently labeled Bill C-27), the ECA urges you to make your voice heard.

February 09, 2010

Subject:

As a proud Canadian consumer and a video game enthusiast, I appreciate the invitation to share my thoughts on the ongoing review of Canadian copyright legislation.

I understand that the Canadian government will soon introduce legislation amending Canada’s copyright laws in ways that will have significant effects on Canadian consumers.  This letter is to express support of intellectual property policies that serve Canadian interests first and foremost.

The fundamental principles that benefit a strong and productive consumer and content creator relationship should be defined as follows:

• Copyright laws should seek to protect consumers, the public interest, as well as content creators - not just the technology that limits access to content and rules in favor of the content creator.

• Modifying copyright laws to modern technologies should not undermine consumer rights or constrain common consumer practices that have been in place in Canada for many years.

• Technology that weakens the existing rights of consumers should not be valued nor promoted.

• Consumers will not accept a series of laws that places industries ahead of them.  A balance must be met between the content creator and the consumer in order for a healthy and productive society is to be achieved.

From my perspective, as a Canadian consumer, any copyright legislation to advance Canada’s business and consumer interests must embody these principles.

Thank you for this opportunity to express my views in this matter.

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