CANADIAN COPYRIGHT AMENDMENTS PROPOSED

The Canadian government has tabled amendments to theCopyright Actwhich address various digital and Internet-related issues.  Some of these proposed amendments are very relevant to the video game industry.  For example, one amendment gives copyright owners the right to sue someone who circumvents or removes copy protection technology, or someone who offers or provides such services. Another amendment institutes a 'notice and notice"? regime for ISPs, under which a copyright owner can notify an ISP of claimed infringement and the ISP must then forward the notice to the alleged infringer.

The Entertainment Software Association of Canada has already announced its disappointment with these proposed amendments, claiming that the bill does not go far enough to protect Canada's game developers and producers. ESAC would prefer a notice and takedown regime such as exists in the US, and would prefer to make the circumvention of copy protection a criminal offence rather than just allowing civil actions for it.

Bill C-60 at http://shorl.com/gegyfrekylyra

ESAC Reaction at http://shorl.com/dugugrygastude