Canadian government creates secret copyright advisory panel

In May Canadian journalists began reporting on their government's involvement in drafting a controversial new intellectual property treaty with other affluent countries including the US. It turns out that's not the only copyright-related activity they've been hiding from their citizens.

It seems that there's also an internal government an Intellectual Property and Trade Advisory Group. The group is apparently comprised of representatives from 12 government departments and 14 different lobbying groups, including lobbyists for the music, movie, and software industries.

According to columnist Michael Geist, several industries are conspicuously missing from the group in the area of telecommunications, technology, and the internet. Privacy groups are also not represented on either the private or government sides.

Among other responsibilities, this group is supposed to be consulted about all aspects of the controversial ACTA treaty, which the public has been largely kept in the dark about. They're also being forced to sign confidentiality agreements, meaning they couldn't discuss the matter publically even if they wanted to.

Written by: Rich Fiscus @ 28 Jul 2008 20:15

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12 comments

tripplite

why take such a big risk?? all for a few pennies what a waste.....

28.7.2008 20:22 #1

13thHouR

Originally posted by tripplite: why take such a big risk?? all for a few pennies what a waste.....i don't want to digress too far from the topic but these IP treaties are not about piracy, it's about snooping into your life and monitoring all aspects of it. even you next gen movie player (bluray) has been rigged to send home information on what films you are viewing.

imho stick with analogue, black out your windows, purchase phone and wireless jammers, only use the net via a vpn with several encrypted proxies, spoofed ip, get that paint that blocks radio signals or listening equipment.

and finally kiss goodbye to all your freedoms that were fought for in the second world war.

we are just slaves to the masters and the internet is there biggest threat, knowledge is power so they are working hard to shut it down.

29.7.2008 06:02 #2

ZippyDSM

I hope its better than the hate crime panel....0-o

30.7.2008 02:03 #3

1bonehead

The Canadian socialist government is looking more like a communist government doing these kinds on shenanigans.

The BPI Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.
The RIAA Soundexchange Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.
The IFPI Are: The same anti consumer lot as listed above!
The MPAA Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, DISNEY, PARAMOUNT, FOX.

30.7.2008 05:56 #4

HyacinthB

Originally posted by 1bonehead: The Canadian socialist government is looking more like a communist government doing these kinds on shenanigans.Canada does not have a socialist government. An ultra right wing party is now in power and they are George Bush's handmaidens. And why do you think the Canadian government is doing what they are doing right now? Because of AMERICAN demands and pressure.

30.7.2008 10:28 #5

varnull

Very dangerous. people need to be aware of how their elected representatives are directly involved in working against them.

For a democracy to work it needs not only to be open, but seen to be open by the majority. This was the greatest lesson learned during WW2.. that so called democracys were little more than shams hiding a system of self perpetuating autocracy.. and why so many countries went from a head of state by birth (or other connivance) to an elected head of state and written constitution. It seems the older the democracy the more like an autocracy it becomes unless the people retain their revolutionary rights and militancy.

Canadians are a pretty laid back bunch normally, but I don't expect the current rulers will get very far in any elections once this all comes out. I don't think they are the sheeple they are called.. I expect to see repercussions over this on a French or Italian scale. It takes a lot to push a Canadian into direct action, but maybe the giant that is Canadian public opinion is better left sleeping?

The "national security" argument won't wash in Canada.. They aren't terrified of "reds under the bed" or "arabs with knives" like most of the west are brainwashed into fearing... We will see.. only time will tell.

30.7.2008 10:51 #6

ookami

Perhaps Canada will go on strike?!

30.7.2008 13:53 #7

1bonehead

Quote:Canada does not have a socialist government. An ultra right wing party is now in power and they are George Bush's handmaidens. And why do you think the Canadian government is doing what they are doing right now? Because of AMERICAN demands and pressure.
If so, then why are the ultra right wingers not pulling the stings of George Bush ?

30.7.2008 21:28 #8

HyacinthB

Quote:
If so, then why are the ultra right wingers not pulling the stings of George Bush ?You're living up to your name. Even my dog is laughing at you.

31.7.2008 11:00 #9

tripplite

Quote:Canada does not have a socialist government. An ultra right wing party is now in power and they are George Bush's handmaidens. And why do you think the Canadian government is doing what they are doing right now? Because of AMERICAN demands and pressure.classic!!! blame america right??? LAWL!

they do what they do simply because nobody will give a h00t..... even though their rights are being pushed side..... and by doing it they get a little extra $$....

2.8.2008 02:02 #10

Mez

tripplite, politicians don�t do anything like this unless they are being paid. I am sure the US has paid more than their fair share to get this baby moving.

I suggest to the CAs tuned in to this station to do something before it is too late. What I suggest may work and will continue to have lasting effects. Politicians take all the money they can but are always worred about being re-elected. Being scum they will forget their promises if they run into trouble. They may avoid even taking money in the future from the media mafiaa.

You need to discover who were the elected officials who got the ball rolling. Government officials don�t do things like this unless elected officials are involved. Usually, the elected officials are the ones who manage the funding of the agencies involved are the ones that get the ball rolling.

You have to write those elected officials nasty letters that look like they come from their own constituency. That requires some foot work and research. You need to use real persons� identities. The letters should be reasonable. I always try to add that if I have to shut down the internet in my house for fear that my kids might do something wrong that I will have to pay for, their education will suffer. I get real angry when I say that they favor blood suckers over my child�s education. I like to sound a bit uneducated who heard something from an educated friend that scared me and made me angry. That allows you to make unfounded claimes. Politicians know their constituency is made up with voting morons. If you sound genuine and angry they could care less if you do not have the facts straight. I usually mention I might bring the topic up at the PTA (Parent Teacher Ass in the US). That is their worst nightmare, lots of angry, missinformed voters crying 'off with their heads'. I assure you that will scare the crap out of them if done correctly. You can use the same set of letters for each elected official. They get trashed after they are tallied.

6.8.2008 08:57 #11

mackdl

When government officals accept benefits to sway their vote in favour of the lobbyists, this is know as "conflict of interest".

http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/library/PRBpubs/793-e.htm

There is currently an online petition to stop Canada from passing ACTA:

http://www.petitiononline.com/actanono/petition.html

6.8.2008 11:26 #12

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