[d at DCC] Copyright eConsultation: your thoughts?

[Russell McOrmond]

   I am assuming that everyone in this forum is aware that the government 
has launched a public consultation.  This consultation uses a website 
http://copyright.econsultation.ca/ moderated by Nik Nanos.

   Happening right now is the "Slashdot style" discussion forum that should 
look familiar from http://www.nikonthenumbers.com/ and from the CRTC 
Network Neutrality consultations.  Comments are anonymous, with people 
able to use as many pseudonames as they have e-mail accounts, which brings 
with it a specific flavour of discussion.


   There are a few break-out topics to have discussions around which were 
posted on the first day.

Copyright and You
http://copyright.econsultation.ca/topics-sujets/show-montrer/6
How do Canada’s copyright laws affect you? How should existing laws be 
modernized?

Test of Time
http://copyright.econsultation.ca/topics-sujets/show-montrer/7
Based on Canadian values and interests, how should copyright changes be 
made in order to withstand the test of time?

Innovation and Creativity
http://copyright.econsultation.ca/topics-sujets/show-montrer/8
What sorts of copyright changes do you believe would best foster 
innovation and creativity in Canada?

Competition and Investment
http://copyright.econsultation.ca/topics-sujets/show-montrer/9
What sorts of copyright changes do you believe would best foster 
competition and investment in Canada?

Digital Economy
http://copyright.econsultation.ca/topics-sujets/show-montrer/10
What kinds of changes would best position Canada as a leader in the 
global, digital economy?



   More formal submissions can be made via email.  My initial submission 
has been posted to http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/008.nsf/eng/00015.html


   While I recommend general copyright policy discussions happen on that 
website in the next two months, I am curious what people feel about the 
website and process.

   In 2001 there was many form letters which were submitted.  These were 
grouped by the departments as if they were one submission, not including 
them in the overall summary paper beyond a quick mention.

   My guess is that teh Slashdot-style forum is intended to serve this same 
purpose, with those not able to make formal submissions under their real 
names included as a vague number of people who participated in a forum 
that had the above 5 themes.

   That said, I recommend we tell everyone we know to at least sign up to 
the website (a statistic not yet published) and rank postings/comments, or 
add their own comments.

   Anyone have any other thoughts?


Note: I was sent an invitation to a round table.  While a few are listed 
on their "Round Tables / Town Halls" page
http://copyright.econsultation.ca/topics-sujets/show-montrer/13 , I don't 
know if there are more events planned than currently listed.   For my own 
situation I don't know if I'm expected to travel to Toronto or Montreal, 
or if the "Gatineau" event listed for next Wednesday is the one I was 
invited to.  No details have been sent.  I'm finding this a bit 
frustrating as it is hard to organize with work to attend a round table 
where so little is being properly discussed.

-- 
  Russell McOrmond, Internet Consultant: <http://www.flora.ca/>
  Please help us tell the Canadian Parliament to protect our property
  rights as owners of Information Technology. Sign the petition!
  http://digital-copyright.ca/petition/ict/     http://KillBillC61.ca

  "The government, lobbied by legacy copyright holders and hardware
   manufacturers, can pry control over my camcorder, computer,
   home theatre, or portable media player from my cold dead hands!"