Angus proposes steps to update Copyright Act

OTTAWA – The New Democratic Party’s critic on the copyright file, Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay), has introduced two proposals to amend the Copyright Act that would help balance the interest of both creators and consumers in the digital age.

Angus tabled Bill C-499, which would adapt the successful Private Copying Levy to the current generation of copying devices, such as MP3 players. As well, he introduced a motion on “fair dealing” that would protect the reasonable use of copyrighted materials for innovation, research and study.

Angus said that after years of talk, it’s time Parliamentarians got serious about updating our copyright laws.

“Artists have a right to get paid and consumers have a right to access works. This is what balanced copyright is all about. The government has declared their intention to update the Copyright Act. If they are serious then we need to update key elements of the act like the copying levy and fair dealing.”

Bill C-499 extends the Private Copying Levy, established in 1997, to the next generation of devices that consumers are using for copying sound recordings for personal use. The change to the levy would provide a legal framework for individuals to copy recordings from one device to another, ensuring that the practice remains legal.

“Digital locks and suing fans are not going to prevent people from copying music from one format to another,” he said. “The levy is a solution that works. By updating it, we will ensure that artists are getting paid for their work, and that consumers aren’t criminalized for moving their legally-obtained music from one format to another.”

The change to “fair dealing” would expand the exemption for non-commercial copyright infringements to researchers, innovators, educators and the creative community when copyrighted material is used appropriately.

“The fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act have been characterised by the Supreme Court as a key user’s right,” he said. “The futures of the creative, innovation and education communities all hinge on a reasonable interpretation of fair dealing.”

New Democrats are committed to moving legislation through the House that will provide economic protection for artists while ensuring that innovators, educators and consumers are not unfairly penalized or restricted.