Michael Geist sez,
The reports that the music industry lobby (along with the Entertainment Software Association of Canada and the movie lobby) is seeking the inclusion of SOPA-style provisions into Canadian copyright has generated considerable discussion online and in the mainstream media. Yesterday, Balanced Copyright for Canada, the group backed by the music industry, fired back with several tweets claiming that opposing their reforms would benefit "illegal BitTorrent sites"and "illegal hosting sites." Leaving aside the fact that if these sites are illegal, they are by-definition already in violation of current law, the claims point to what seems likely to become a SOPA-like scare campaign that seeks to paint skeptics of CRIA demands as supporters of piracy.
The music industry claims to be a big supporter of Bill C-11, yet few groups have demanded more changes. In fact, when it appeared before the House of Commons committee reviewing the bill, one MP noted that their demands were "substantial" and "anything but minor." Their demands include:
– expansion of the enabler provision to include SOPA-style expanded liability
– create new injunction powers to block websites
– create new injunction powers to remove content from websites
– require ISPs to implement a policy on repeat infringers that could include Internet termination
– remove the non-commercial liability cap for statutory damages
– restrict the user-generated content provision
– create new limits on personal copying exception
– create new limits on time shifting exception
– create additional limits on backup copy provision
– limit the safe harbour for ISPs
– limit the safe harbour for caching activities
– limit the safe harbour for hosting content
– limit the search engine (ILT) exception
– eliminate the ephemeral recording amendment
Canadian Music Industry Lobby: Put SOPA Into C-11 Or Stand With Illegal Sites
