Is Canada the Monkey or the Organ Grinder When it Comes to Proposed Copyright Legislation?

Abstract

Twenty years ago copyright was an issue that attracted the attention of few people. In the digital age it has become a political hot potato, particularly in Canada. Many contend that the principle of fair dealing for private, research, and educational purposes is in danger of being eroded, an issue of particular consequence for Athabasca University. Some see the danger as stemming from within in the form of Bill C-32, the newly proposed copyright form act, with its emphasis on digital locks. Others see the primary problem as coming from without in the context of a changing global intellectual property enforcement regime putting enormous pressure on Canada to conform to global, primarily American, standards on copyright protection. This presentation links the local (Canadian copyright reform) to the global, in particular, Canada’s participation in the highly secretive negotiations of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) which could set the global standards for intellectual property protection to which Canada will have to conform. Following the presentation, panelists Dr. Rory McGreal and Mark McCutcheon will be available to address questions from audience members.