Copyright Politics … Reduced to a Comic Book

Posted by Robb Beggs on 06/17 at 07:48 AM

If you’re tuning in late to the Canadian copyright reform debate, the Appropriation Art Coalition has created a "free comic book":http://www.appropriationart.ca/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/51_state.pdf (2.8 MB) that it says will get you up to speed on the issue

The Appropriation Art Coalition has created The 51st State, a free comic book that provides commentary on Canada’s Bill C-61, designed to revamp Canadian copyright law.

Bill C-61 was tabled in consultation with US and major entertainment associations; sadly, there was little to no consultant with the citizens who’s rights its supposed to protect. The proposals have draw significant criticism, particularly when compared to the American government’s Digital Millennium Copyright Act, DMCA. Michael Geist has demonstrated how certain provisions of Canada’s C-61 are even more heavy handed than the DMCA, particularly in areas such as security research – a vital requirement for Canada to protect its data resources.

Interestingly, analysis of American legal actions against downloaders of music indicates that the DMCA is not even being used; offenders are being charged under existing copyright laws.

So, what will a Canadian version of the DMCA accomplish? Are new laws really needed, or do we need to develop a new perspective on intellectual property that will directly reward the creator of the content, and allow a proper degree of intellectual freedom?

The 51st State provides a good overview of the issues, and the format is compelling – an artistic comic book, where every quote bubble is a hyperlink to web sites, articles, and other resources. It brings together politicians (Charlie Angus, NDP), lawyers (Michael Geist), and artists (Stephen Page of the Barenaked Ladies) to promote freedom of expression and protection of intellectual property.

Canadian PM Stephen Harper, Industry Minister Jim Prentice, and the president of the Canadian Recording Industry Association, CIRA, sadly are represented as little more than American stooges.

After reading the 51st State, its possible to come away feeling like you’ve been “US bashing”, rather than learning about Canadian opposition to copyright law. Others will argue that you have to critisize the US, because that country and some of its entertainment lobbies are providing the global influence for the oppresive copyright laws that have been emerging.

Should nationalism drive the international response to copyright and intellectual property protection? Let us know what you think!