Copyright reform must expand fair dealing, limit protections for digital
locks

OTTAWA, Nov. 3 /CNW/ - Students are calling on the federal government and opposition parties to fix C-32 and finally adopt copyright legislation for the digital age.

"In C-32 the government finally gave us something to work with," said Dave Molenhuis, National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "Expanding the definition of fair dealing to include education will ensure that students and educators have access to copyrighted materials and that writers continue to be compensated fairly for the use of their work."

The Bill, which entered second reading in the House of Commons yesterday, proposes expanding fair dealing, the right to good faith and limited use of copyrighted works in certain circumstances without permission or payment, to include "education". Far from legalizing theft, as some publishers have erroneously claimed, this provision supports innovative and creative educational practices. At the same time it will ensure that for unfair use of content, that for which copyright owners ought to be compensated, creators continue to be paid.

"Fair dealing and other users' rights are, however, undermined by C-32's unwavering protection of digital locks," added Molenhuis. "Locking down digital works in this manner will severely limit how teachers and students use copyrighted works in teaching and research."

Anti-circumvention provisions found in the B ill would make it illegal to bypass digital locks that are used to control how digital works are used. These provisions effectively override the rights of Canadian users and creators as bypassing these digital locks remains illegal, regardless of whether or not the user intends to commit copyright infringement. The education community continues to raise concerns that overly restrictive regulations will limit how students and teachers can use copyrighted materials and paves the way for higher fees for post-secondary students.

The Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's largest student organisation, uniting more that one-half million students in all ten provinces. The Canadian Federation of Students and its predecessor organisations have represented students in Canada since 1927.

For further information:

Dave Molenhuis, National Chairperson, 613-232-7394
Noah Stewart, Communication Coordinator, 613-889-7395