TCO Readers,

I try not to make this site about politics, and try to avoid political content on the site, especially in the articles. However our Conservative Government has tabled Bill C-32 which includes new Draconian DMCA legislation.

Here is the link to the actual Bill:
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Docid=4580265

What's DMCA legislation? DMCA stands for the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, legislation that was enacted over a decade ago in the United States. 10 years later, US legislators have admitted that the DMCA legislation did not work. What it did do was give greater teeth to special interests groups in the United Stats such as the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America).

Under that legislation the RIAA has been able to sue and attack private individuals and bankrupt them.

Under the proposed Bill C-32 legislation, it goes even further putting restrictions on devices that would break digital locks.

Convert your favourite TV show from MKV to AVI to watch on your PS3 - Illegal
Have a region free DVD Player? - Illegal
Copy a song from your favourite CD that you legally purchased, to your MP3 player? You will now be a criminal and subject to fines & possible jail time under bill C-32.

Many of the artists that this legislation is intended to "protect" are against it.

Furthermore the legislation puts limitations on encryption research, which will limit our scientists in their work.

So what's the damage to you and I? This new legislation now provides mandatory statutory damages of "a sum of not less than $500 and not more than $20,000."

This legislation is EXTREMELY similar to Bill C51 that died on the floor during the last election. Which 30,000 Canadians joined together in objecting within a matter of days. The Conservatives have learned from their mistakes this time, and rather then heralding this legislation, they are quietly trying to pass it, so that we will not know any better.

What can you do?

• Contact your member of parliment - find out their stance. Let them know that you are opposed to the legislation. Read up on this, find out what's happening. Your rights as a Canadian are at stake.
• Talk about it. Most people don't enjoy discussing copyright, most people aren't aware of it. If you want a great Canadian perspective on Copyright that I found entertaining and extremely watchable, check out RIP - Remix Manifest.
  http://films.onf.ca/rip-a-remix-manifesto/
  The creators of the documentary have put it online for you to be able to watch for free.
  
• Get educated. Knowledge is power.