I've had some interesting phone calls and e-mails in past days that suggest to me some folks in Ottawa have begun to take a longer look at the professional creator position on copyright. As a key stakeholder in copyright, creators are happy when our concerns are not summarily dismissed.
We'll no doubt go into all this in even greater detail in coming weeks, as it looks again like no bill is on the way in the immediate future. To those relatively new to this process of copyright reform, "no new bill" is also known as "just another day." Before we do advance the discussion, I wonder if it's possible for us to pull back and redefine one fairly important thing.
When I call for a bill, I'm calling for a bill. Not a law, and certainly not "the Canadian DMCA," whatever the heck that's supposed to be. It has become very tiring discussing copyright reform in very public places, calling (in fact) for greater public discussion with less rhetoric, and then always being expected to support some entirely fictional rhetorical position. Hey, you're that guy who's in favour of the Canadian DMCA!
Really? Am I? Because I thought I was in favour of strong and essential copyright protection for professional creators. That's why I belong to the Creators Copyright Coalition, and that's why I'm asking for a table to sit down at so I can defend the professional creator position.
Here's a comment I read on Michael Geist's blog, from the ubiquitous "anonymous":
... who is left out there in favour of a Canadian DMCA? American lobbies, CRIA, 100,000 fundamentalists, John and .... anybody else?
And here's Michael Geist himself commenting on the stalled legislative process:
"Rumours tonight indicate that the government has again decided to delay introducing the Canadian DMCA."
Dr. Geist is fond of asking politicians to take pledges. I think such pledges are kind of silly, and even potentially destructive to true democracy. I prefer to allow my legislators the freedom to make mistakes, but ask them to try hard not to. But here's a pledge I support. I hereby pledge never to use the term Canadian DMCA again in this or any other discussion. It's an easy pledge for me to take, because I despise the term and feel it has no meaning or bearing on this discussion.
I don't expect anyone else to take this pledge, but those who do win my everlasting respect.
the book room: novelist, John Degen interviews other writers, and talks about copyright way too much
Showing posts with label CCC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CCC. Show all posts
Friday, February 15, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
one (large) group of professional artists positions itself
To see the full CCC statement, please follow this link.
COPYRIGHT REFORM KEY PROTECTION FOR CANADA’S ARTISTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 2008
TORONTO: Canadian artists have released their platform on copyright reform in anticipation of the Canadian government’s expected new copyright legislation. You will find it attached.
The result of months of research and study, the Creators’ Copyright Coalition position paper outlines the reforms that creator groups would ideally like to see in Canadian law.
Members of the CCC believe that the making of art and contemporary Canadian culture is a vital part of life, and an essential ingredient of the information economy. If the new copyright reforms enhance and protect the rights of creators, then they will encourage art, contribute to our culture and enrich the lives of all Canadians.
“Without protection for performers and creators, we risk more than harming our international reputation, we risk damaging our industry at large. It’s in the public interest that artists and their work be protected so they can earn a living wage and contribute to our culture and economy,” said Stephen Waddell, ACTRA National Executive Director.
John Degen, novelist and Executive Director of the Professional Writers Association of Canada: “I believe Canada can have a strong copyright law protecting the work and careers of all professional creators, while fairly and reasonably addressing the concerns of both corporations and consumers. The CCC statement is meant as a step in that direction.”
Stan Meissner, songwriter, past president of the Songwriters Association of Canada: “While the digital age has offered music creators wonderful opportunities, it is clear that the rampant unpaid online consumption of music and other content has had a devastating effect. We need up-to-date copyright legislation that will protect the value of our rights, ensuring us a future where creators will be compensated for the use and enjoyment of our work.”
Bill Freeman, the chair of the CCC, said: “Creators have been waiting far too long for copyright reform. It is time to protect the rights of all authors and performers in the Internet age.”
The Creators Copyright Coalition (CCC) is an alliance of 16 professional associations of individual creators and performers and copyright collective societies active in the theatre, the visual arts, the applied arts, literature, music, recording and audiovisual (radio, television, film and commercials). Together these 16 associations and collectives represent more than 100,000 creators (authors and performers) who are copyright owners.
COPYRIGHT REFORM KEY PROTECTION FOR CANADA’S ARTISTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 2008
TORONTO: Canadian artists have released their platform on copyright reform in anticipation of the Canadian government’s expected new copyright legislation. You will find it attached.
The result of months of research and study, the Creators’ Copyright Coalition position paper outlines the reforms that creator groups would ideally like to see in Canadian law.
Members of the CCC believe that the making of art and contemporary Canadian culture is a vital part of life, and an essential ingredient of the information economy. If the new copyright reforms enhance and protect the rights of creators, then they will encourage art, contribute to our culture and enrich the lives of all Canadians.
“Without protection for performers and creators, we risk more than harming our international reputation, we risk damaging our industry at large. It’s in the public interest that artists and their work be protected so they can earn a living wage and contribute to our culture and economy,” said Stephen Waddell, ACTRA National Executive Director.
John Degen, novelist and Executive Director of the Professional Writers Association of Canada: “I believe Canada can have a strong copyright law protecting the work and careers of all professional creators, while fairly and reasonably addressing the concerns of both corporations and consumers. The CCC statement is meant as a step in that direction.”
Stan Meissner, songwriter, past president of the Songwriters Association of Canada: “While the digital age has offered music creators wonderful opportunities, it is clear that the rampant unpaid online consumption of music and other content has had a devastating effect. We need up-to-date copyright legislation that will protect the value of our rights, ensuring us a future where creators will be compensated for the use and enjoyment of our work.”
Bill Freeman, the chair of the CCC, said: “Creators have been waiting far too long for copyright reform. It is time to protect the rights of all authors and performers in the Internet age.”
The Creators Copyright Coalition (CCC) is an alliance of 16 professional associations of individual creators and performers and copyright collective societies active in the theatre, the visual arts, the applied arts, literature, music, recording and audiovisual (radio, television, film and commercials). Together these 16 associations and collectives represent more than 100,000 creators (authors and performers) who are copyright owners.
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