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Legal Issues

by Mike Masnick

Tue, May 12th 2009 2:51am




Filed Under:
canada, crown copyright, openness, parliament, transparency


Canadian Parliament Threatens People For Posting Video Of Proceedings Online

from the how-dare-you-want-transparency dept

It would appear that the Canadian Parliament is no big fan of transparency. When some activists started posting video and audio of various Parliamentary committee proceedings online, in order to both increase transparency and to comment on those proceedings, lawyers apparently sent them a cease and desist, claiming it was "contempt of Parliament." They've also been sending takedowns to YouTube and other video hosting sites, claiming that this content is somehow proprietary, covered by "crown copyright" (something, thankfully, we don't have in the US) and subject to severe licensing restrictions. While it sounds like some Canadian politicians recognize the need to change, in the meantime, they're making a travesty of any sense of governmental openness.

17 Comments | Leave a Comment

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  1.  
    identicon
    Anshar, May 12th, 2009 @ 4:18am

    The best (read: worst) part of all of this is that the current government was elected on a platform of openness, honesty and transparency in government.

    As a Canadian, this makes me sick.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  2.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, May 12th, 2009 @ 4:19am

    You mean the US government can't copyright things?

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  3.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, May 12th, 2009 @ 4:30am

    Who the fawk cares abuut Canada

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  4.  
    identicon
    Chargone, May 12th, 2009 @ 5:10am

    Re:

    at a guess: Canadians.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  5.  
    identicon
    JustMe, May 12th, 2009 @ 5:37am

    Canada - The 51st state!

    I crack myself up

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  6.  
    identicon
    NullOp, May 12th, 2009 @ 6:09am

    Oh Dear, Canada

    Seems like those rascals have something to hide, eh. Just get 'em all a brew and it'll be OK, eh.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  7.  
    identicon
    Tgeigs, May 12th, 2009 @ 6:35am

    Re: Oh Dear, Canada

    Well, what would YOU do if the Blackhawks beat your beloved Canucks?

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  8.  
    identicon
    BTR1701, May 12th, 2009 @ 6:36am

    Re: Crown Copyright

    > You mean the US government can't copyright things?

    No, the Constitution prohibits the government from owning copyright on any government documents or proceedings.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  9.  
    icon
    ChrisB (profile), May 12th, 2009 @ 7:10am

    Re:

    Dear Sick:

    If you read the article, the committee made a reasonable compromise:

    "Reproduction of the proceedings of the House of Commons and its Committees, in whole or in part and in any medium, is hereby permitted provided that the reproduction is accurate and is not presented as official."

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  10.  
    identicon
    fatcat, May 12th, 2009 @ 7:44am

    what can the Canadian Parliament do about it, they are after all just Canadians. it's not like their any threat...

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  11.  
    identicon
    Anon, May 12th, 2009 @ 8:29am

    Re: Re: Oh Dear, Canada

    Too soon.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  12.  
    identicon
    Vincent Clement, May 12th, 2009 @ 10:37am

    Mike,

    And the US trade representative has the nerve to say that Canada has weaker IP protection than the US. You guys don't even have Crown Copyright. We do ;)

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  13.  
    identicon
    Vincent Clement, May 12th, 2009 @ 10:39am

    Re: Re: Crown Copyright

    Yet, somehow the US wants everyone to believe that Canada has weaker IP protection laws. Who has the weaker IP laws?

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  14.  
    identicon
    Washii, May 12th, 2009 @ 10:49am

    Re: Re: Re: Crown Copyright

    How does that even factor in? It isn't like the governments of Canada and the US are creating multi-billions worth of film and music.

    I think it makes sense that stuff paid for through tax dollars can't be copyrighted by the government (Hubble pictues?)

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  15.  
    identicon
    Kanadanishuck, May 12th, 2009 @ 11:39am

    Re: fatcat

    JFYI, The Canadian Parliament is the top court in the Great White North, it is superior to and superceeds the Canadian Supreme Court! It can and does have the power to reverse Supreme Court decisions, and can cite citizens for contemp of Parliament. That previous last case was fined and spent 6 months incarcerated, but the most recent case was the RCMP Deputy Comm. Busson, who was cited but left unsanctioned for less than truthful testimony before a House of Commons Committee. She may have suffered some loss of pension and other privileges. Had this not been a minority Parliament, there may have been a different outcome.
    Regards the other commentor's remarks, it would be appropriate they know more of the in depth details and dogma before missing the mark with remarks!

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  16.  
    identicon
    Tgeigs, May 12th, 2009 @ 11:42am

    Re: Re: Re: Oh Dear, Canada

    Sorry, but how often does someone from Chicago actually get to brag about hockey?

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  17.  
    identicon
    Steve, May 12th, 2009 @ 12:05pm

    Ahh Conservatives. Just like Republicans in the States, just a whole lot dumber and that ain't saying' much.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]


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