Michael Geist – rgbFilter

Astroturf Bill C-32 groups started by CRIA

June 16, 2010 Doug Groves astroturf, Balanced Copyright For Canada, bill C-32, copyright, CRIA, DMCA, Michael Geist, RIAA1 Comment

There are a number of citizen’s groups that have formed around the new Canadian copyright bill C-32, nicknamed the DMCA for Canada. Most of these groups are real people concerned about changes to Canadian copyright policies in the digital age. Now, via Michael Geist, comes the story of Balanced Copyright for Canada, a group preteneding to be ordinary citizens, but apparently created by the CRIA (Canadian Record Industry Association don’t you know). They’re making use of the same social media tools that grassroots organizations on either side of the argument…

Bill C-32 and digital locks

June 8, 2010 Doug Groves bill C-32, copyright, digital locks, DMCA, DRM, Michael Geist, privacy1 Comment

When the Canadian government put forth it’s new copyright bill last week there were few surprises. The new bill still supports making circumvention of digital locks illegal, thereby negating many of the fair dealing provisions allowed for in the Conservative’s ‘new and improved’ version of bill C-61. Support for freeing up the DRM section of bill C-32 has been growing since it’s announcement. Besides the large swath of consumers opposed to DRM’ed content, groups such as The Canadian Booksellers Association and the Retail Council of Canada are saying “some parts…

DMCA disaster headed to Canada!

May 5, 2010 Doug Groves canada, DMCA, legal, Michael Geist, online rights, PMO5 Comments

Despite a vocal popular opposition to the idea of enacting anything like the lunacy of the US DMCA here in Canada, that’s exactly the type of copyright bill the Prime Minister’s Office plans on introducing this June. Who cares what the People say, when the US speaks, I guess, even if most of what they say regarding Canada as a copyright violators haven is propagandist FUD. Anyways, instead of ranting, here’s the details from Michael Geist’s site, as well as how to get your voice heard! Months of public debate…

Canadian Copyright Consultation: Deadline Extended

The deadline to make submissions to the public copyright consultation has been extended until Tuesday night. In case you haven’t already voiced your opinion, there are a number of ways to do so… If you missed last night’s deadline, there is still time to craft your own submission, use a form letter, or send out a quick email. [via speakoutoncopyright.ca] The speakoutoncopyright.ca link also has a number of recent submissions, links to public roundtables and much more.

The Copyright Consultation

Remember Bill C-61, and how that ultimately died on the vine of Parliament, in large part because of public outcry? Well, the Canadian government recently launched it’s first public consultation on copyright in almost a decade, and will be taking public input until September 13th. The above movie, produced by Michael Geist and Dan Albahary, focuses on copyright issues, and more specifically how they affect Canadians. It’s definitely well worth the watch, and after it’s done, you can go here for ways to have you say with the copyright consultation.