Non-Canadians might not be aware (or interested) that our Federal Government is attempting to overhaul copyright law, largely along the model built by the United States with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Sexily named Bill C-61, the legislation promises a number of measures that are neutral, but many more that are greatly negative, to Canadian consumers.

But hey, your right to photocopy books will be enshrined! And when record producers sue you, they can’t get you for very much at all.

Anyhooters, I did my part and lodged my pre-formatted grousing via Copyright for Canadians. Internetters are generally proud of their technical acumen, using our techno-neatness to glut the inboxes of poor, luddite Parliamentarians with our angry, automated complaints. It worked the last time the Feds tried this kind of legislation, so why wouldn’t it work again? Surely professional politicians, skilled in the arts of public manipulation, would never learn from their experiences.

But! Imagine my surprise when the government spammed me right back!

BEHOLD:

The Government of Canada has introduced Bill C-61 (An Act to Amend the Copyright Act). The proposed legislation is a made-in-Canada approach that balances the needs of Canadian consumers and copyright owners, promoting culture, innovation and competition in the digital age.

What does Bill C-61 mean to Canadians?
Specifically, it includes measures that would:

* expressly allow you to record TV shows for later viewing; copy legally purchased music onto other devices, such as MP3 players or cell phones; make back-up copies of legally purchased books, newspapers, videocassettes and photographs onto devices you own; and limit the “statutory damages” a court could award for all private use copyright infringements;

* implement new rights and protections for copyright holders, tailored to the Internet, to encourage participation in the online economy, as well as stronger legal remedies to address Internet piracy

* clarify the roles and responsibilities of Internet Service Providers related to the copyright content flowing over their network facilities

* provide photographers with the same rights as other creators

What Bill C-61 does not do:

* it would not empower border agents to seize your iPod or laptop at border crossings, contrary to recent public speculation

What this Bill is not:

* it is not a mirror image of U.S. copyright laws. Our Bill is made-in-Canada with different exceptions for educators, consumers and others and brings us into line with more than 60 countries including Japan, France, Germany and Australia

Bill C-61 was introduced in the Commons on June 12, 2008 by Industry Minister Jim Prentice and Heritage Minister Josée Verner.

For more information, please visit the Copyright Reform Process website at www.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/crp-prda.nsf/en/home

Thank you for sharing your views on this important matter.

The Honourable Josée Verner
Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie

The Honourable Jim Prentice
Minister of Industry

I’m glad that they took the time to assume I was one of the people freaking out that the border guards who can barely summon the interest to look at my passport will now flip over my car to confiscate my iPod, and comforted that we’re taking the lead of progressive nations that we’ve defeated in previous global conflicts…

…I don’t know, but I think the Ministers of Heritage and Industry just told me to take my spam, shine it up real nice, turn it sideways, and shove it somewhere.

I’d quote The Rock more exactly, but I’d be afraid that someone will sue me for copyright infringement.