Canada added to piracy Priority Watch List

The United States has added Canada to its piracy Priority Watch List, calling the nation one of the worst "offenders of copyright piracy."

Adds the US Trade Representatives (USTR): "In this time of economic uncertainty, we need to redouble our efforts to work with all of our trading partners - even our closest allies and neighbors such as Canada - to enhance protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights."

ESA (Entertainment Software Association) of Canada CEO Michael Gallagher approved of the move adding: "Canada's weak laws and enforcement practicies foster game piracy in the Canadian market and pave the way for unlawful imports into the US."

The ESA believes Canada need to strengthen its lax rules on piracy, ban mod chips completely, "provide Customs officials with the authority to seize counterfeit products on the Canadian border" and create "incentives" for ISPs to stop piracy at its source.

"Canada contributes significantly to the development of today�s leading games - creating thousands of high-paying jobs along the way," Gallagher added. "We are eager to see Canada become a full partner in protecting these products on the way to market."

The other nations on the Priority Watch List are Argentina, Chile, China, India, Israel, Pakistan, Russia, Thailand, Venezuela, Algeria and Indonesia.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 30 Apr 2009 23:48

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39 comments

DXR88

what are you talking aboot,eh.

1.5.2009 00:34 #1

canuckerz

Rage...

1.5.2009 01:07 #2

mike.m

Oh no, we're really frighten now that we're on the US "watch list". They can "watch" us as much as they like, but they're not going to drag us down to their economic level.

First off, I would like to know how they got these "offending" results, without invading the privacy of every Canadian.

Secondly, the day we need advice on how to run our country from the world's most overweight people, who have spent more money on war than they do on health care, have enslaved African-Americans for about 465 years, and who has had one of the dumbest person to every be in politics (Bush)....we'll let you know.

I'm not trying to insult American citizen's, it's their government that has been dragging them down, and now they're trying to do the same to us Canadians.

1.5.2009 01:28 #3

canuckerz

1.5.2009 02:38 #4

KillerBug

You think you are the only country the united states is trying to drag down? It seems like every county in the world is on the piracy watch list...except those on the terrorist watch list.

BTW...I would be scared; your country caves to the US government all the time.

1.5.2009 03:41 #5

bomber991

Originally posted by KillerBug: BTW...I would be scared; your country caves to the US government all the time.I think I've been watching too much Sliders lately, but man that would be awesome if Canada just said fook it and decided to declare war on the US. I mean lets think about it for a minute.

What kind of military do we have guarding the border from Canada? Don't we have most of our fighting equipment and troops out in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the rest of them in foreign bases that we don't really need?

1.5.2009 06:15 #6

varnull

I'm going to quote somebody rather intelligent...

Freedom bound by chains of unjust laws, by another name is a prison.

wonder who that was :)

Free open source software = made by end users who want an application to work.
I would rather you hate me for who I am than love me for what I am not.
Soon to be everybodys antipodean sex goddess.. actually only one persons.. but thats not the point. Move over Minogue.. midgets cant compare XD

1.5.2009 06:28 #7

rtm27

How do you figure african-americans have been enslaved for 465 years, when the US has only been a country 233 years, this year.

1.5.2009 07:19 #8

bhetrick

Canada's on our watch list now.

So that means when I want to watch a movie, a download from Canada is good and not some p.o.s. cam like from some other countries?

1.5.2009 08:34 #9

DVDBack23

Originally posted by rtm27: How do you figure african-americans have been enslaved for 465 years, when the US has only been a country 233 years, this year.Slavery absolutely began in the 1500s.

1.5.2009 09:29 #10

varnull

Eh?.. I thought the Sumerians invented it in around 5000 BC

1.5.2009 09:30 #11

MightyOne

I don't think the Canadian tax payers can afford to send all us pirates to Jail. It would cost too much.

I can only assume that most of the TV shows and Movies downloaded are most likely American. Why should Canada help the US make more cash without compensation from the US. Cough up some American buck then !!!

Kind of ironic that the US is going to watch me download their movies so i can watch them.

The only things ISP really cares about is making money. They will lose customers because why....because we are NOT buying there overpriced entertainment items. Get Real. This is life.

Why can i not be as greedy as the companies. I want to have lots of money as well. I will not pay these unjust prices. You scam us....we scam u. Its called Karma. My Name Is Earl.

1.5.2009 10:56 #12

rtm27

Quote:Originally posted by rtm27: How do you figure african-americans have been enslaved for 465 years, when the US has only been a country 233 years, this year.Slavery absolutely began in the 1500s.
Slavery has been around since the beginning of time, but the US hasn't. His statement was about the US, not slavery in general, which still exists.

1.5.2009 11:37 #13

DRokKer

Work is slavery in a capitalist society.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7065205277695921912

Quote:and who has had one of the dumbest person to every be in politics (Bush)
hey man! give reagan his dues he was far dumber!

1.5.2009 12:29 #14

DVDBack23

Quote:Quote:Originally posted by rtm27: How do you figure african-americans have been enslaved for 465 years, when the US has only been a country 233 years, this year.Slavery absolutely began in the 1500s.
Slavery has been around since the beginning of time, but the US hasn't. His statement was about the US, not slavery in general, which still exists.Yeah I guess technically it was not a country but slavery, in the sense mentioned (of Africans) began on this continent at that time.

Slavery as a system has been around since the beginning of time.

1.5.2009 12:35 #15

aldan

so we are one of the worst offenders? these clowns havent been to southeast asia lately,have they? im just quakin in me boots.

1.5.2009 13:09 #16

PCB4

There was an attempt by the Canadian government to introduce a draconian bill (C61) that completely caved to American entertainment interests. It did not pass because there was an election and the bill proved to be unpopular because it violated "fair use". The reaction to being placed on the watch list is different this time around as the Canadian government, such as it is, (Bush Lite)has decided to have an open consultation on the subject and will get to that sometime in the fall. Currently they have their hands full clinging to power. The government did not try to re-introduce the bill, which died on the order paper when the election was called. The Harper minority government has slid badly in the polls and may back off of some of it's arrogant bullying of the Canadian public of which Bill C61 was but a small example. I think Mr. Harper is not likely to cave to anyone if there is the slightest risk of it costing him a precious vote. I don't think even the powerful lobbying groups the entertainment industry employs worldwide will persuade the Prime Minister to risk becoming the Leader of the Opposition. Net Neutrality and Fair Use are big issues up here and getting bigger and the Canadian public becomes more and more informed. Small example, C61 would have taken away our rights to make digital copies from our television signals or allow us to keep digital copies in our collections, just VHS tapes. Neat eh?

1.5.2009 13:54 #17

Morreale

This is why Canada is so great :D

Makes me proud, screw the US and it's crippling laws...

1.5.2009 17:02 #18

ex.sonic

Umm why isn't secret pirate island on that list of countries? (AKA Hong Kong)

1.5.2009 18:24 #19

windsong

Originally posted by mike.m: Oh no, we're really frighten now that we're on the US "watch list". They can "watch" us as much as they like, but they're not going to drag us down to their economic level.

First off, I would like to know how they got these "offending" results, without invading the privacy of every Canadian.

Secondly, the day we need advice on how to run our country from the world's most overweight people, who have spent more money on war than they do on health care, have enslaved African-Americans for about 465 years, and who has had one of the dumbest person to every be in politics (Bush)....we'll let you know.

I'm not trying to insult American citizen's, it's their government that has been dragging them down, and now they're trying to do the same to us Canadians.More like lol@YOU.

Bush had less to do with it than your Paul Martin and Jean whats-his-name, who signed MUCH more invasive copyright laws. Go to Michael Geist's site (Canadian law prof) and research BOTH parties before shooting off about Conservatives. The Liberals have done far far more damage to your own privacy laws.

And about Obama? He will wipe his @ss with lawsuits targeting downloaders of *any* copyrighted material. He is in bed with more telcos than any previous U.S. president.

1.5.2009 18:41 #20

varnull

^^^^ looks like somebody read my relevant CNN link then before it was closed down for being "too political" XD

1.5.2009 18:44 #21

Hopium

"Secondly, the day we need advice on how to run our country from the world's most overweight people, who have spent more money on war than they do on health care, have enslaved African-Americans for about 465 years, and who has had one of the dumbest person to every be in politics (Bush)....we'll let you know."

[sarcasm]
the actions of our governments ARE AND ALWAYS WILL BE A DIRECT REFLECTION OF HOW ALL americans FEEL. WE want war, HEALTHCARE? lol healthcare is for noobs. OVERWEIGHT? We refer those people as portly. the people who run our government should be full of ignorance and not care what the majority thinks and only their party. [/sarcasm]

1.5.2009 19:53 #22

Blackjax

A few things for you all to think about....

1)Don't beleive anything you read and only half of what you see. I'll explain. The media outlets are owned by guess who (dramatic pause) the same people trying to get these laws imposed NO MATTER what country it may be.

2)Slavery, as most know it now, was actually started by warring tribes on the african continent. The tribes captured warriors from others tribes then sold them to slave traders who visited the continent. Irregardless of when, where, who or what it's still one of the most vile things one human can do to another.

3)Have you ever had a conversation with someone who lives in another country? If you ever took the time you will find that most are not much different than you. This of course will exclude some countries!

4)Most politicians are "dumb" when it comes to common sense, those with it are no longer politicians!

5)Most of the problems in the world today are based in greed. Greed for money OR power OR both.

Oh and adding Canada to the watch list... just another waste of time by those in the media mafiaa who couldn't find their arse with both hands and help from google earth.

2.5.2009 02:59 #23

cousinkix

Originally posted by mike.m: Oh no, we're really frighten now that we're on the US "watch list". They can "watch" us as much as they like, but they're not going to drag us down to their economic level.

First off, I would like to know how they got these "offending" results, without invading the privacy of every Canadian.

Secondly, the day we need advice on how to run our country from the world's most overweight people, who have spent more money on war than they do on health care, have enslaved African-Americans for about 465 years, and who has had one of the dumbest person to every be in politics (Bush)....we'll let you know.

I'm not trying to insult American citizen's, it's their government that has been dragging them down, and now they're trying to do the same to us Canadians.
It wasn't too long ago that the US Government blamed Canada for letting those 9/11 hi-jackers cross it's border into New York. Never mind if the Bush and Obama regeimes have been/still are not interested in securing their own borders. They pay more attention to their corporate contributors, who want more cheap foreign labor. Too bad if Amerikans lose their jobs in the construction industry and the wages of carpenter's union members are driven down by unfair competition.

I don't blame Canada because my own government is creating it's own problems...

2.5.2009 05:01 #24

ZippyDSM

And the US should be added in the top 5 worlds fascism list just look at how corporate rolls over government every chance it gets...

2.5.2009 15:50 #25

malcdogg

Oh gawd, like anyone cares about any "watchlist". Except for a few angry Canucks who will use this as an excuse to point out all the flaws with the US so they can look down their snoots at Americans in order to feel better about themselves. That's called "low self-esteem". A FEW angry people who think their entire national identity depends on making Americans out to be the devil, similar to how Hitler felt about Jews. Blind to their own obsession. It gets tiring.

And NO I'm NOT lumping all Canadians in the same group as these few obsessed individuals. I know darn well we can all get along, Afterdawn is proof of that, many people from many places, sharing common goals.

Screw the USTR. The US could stand to take a page or two from Canadas book when it comes to file sharing. We all wish that old, obsolete business models could keep on chugging along and keep corporate fat cats fat. Sorry though, most of consider being able to download music and video "progress". Why don't we all just go back to paying wandering bards for a song or two? Or would the RIAA try to sue THEM too?

2.5.2009 16:45 #26

senator29

When will they learn?

Piracy "costs" very little. Of all the stuff I get illegally, about 1% of it I would actually buy and do.

If free copies didn't exist online do you think I would spend $2500 for adobe master suite? Would I spend thousands for 3Dsmax? Would I go to walmart and buy up all their edited CD's? Would I go buy over 200 DVDs at 30 bucks a pop?

YA RIGHT! But to ignore something that is free is a bit hard.

I buy what I need. I buy what I can afford. And entertainment is not affordable or needed.

I could write a book about fair pricing, quality of product, and the retarded profits of companies these days. But I won't do it here.

8.5.2009 17:00 #27

ZippyDSM

Originally posted by senator29: When will they learn?

Piracy "costs" very little. Of all the stuff I get illegally, about 1% of it I would actually buy and do.

If free copies didn't exist online do you think I would spend $2500 for adobe master suite? Would I spend thousands for 3Dsmax? Would I go to walmart and buy up all their edited CD's? Would I go buy over 200 DVDs at 30 bucks a pop?

YA RIGHT! But to ignore something that is free is a bit hard.

I buy what I need. I buy what I can afford. And entertainment is not affordable or needed.

I could write a book about fair pricing, quality of product, and the retarded profits of companies these days. But I won't do it here.I disagree entertainment is needed it keeps the mind active,inspires and helps one blow off steam in a world where your either a burger flipper or a office zombie who gets little pay what else is there to do with your valuable free time that's cheap and simple. Not to mention modern populaces of the world are bred to consume...

8.5.2009 17:11 #28

senator29

OOPS, forgot to say companies tally up total downloads and use that as piracy losses. There are a lot, some I even know, that get the pirated version to try, and if they like it go buy it.

So that is why I said piracy "costs" very little, it "costs" the industry very little in terms of loss.

8.5.2009 18:16 #29

senator29

Quote:Originally posted by senator29: When will they learn?

Piracy "costs" very little. Of all the stuff I get illegally, about 1% of it I would actually buy and do.

If free copies didn't exist online do you think I would spend $2500 for adobe master suite? Would I spend thousands for 3Dsmax? Would I go to walmart and buy up all their edited CD's? Would I go buy over 200 DVDs at 30 bucks a pop?

YA RIGHT! But to ignore something that is free is a bit hard.

I buy what I need. I buy what I can afford. And entertainment is not affordable or needed.

I could write a book about fair pricing, quality of product, and the retarded profits of companies these days. But I won't do it here.I disagree entertainment is needed it keeps the mind active,inspires and helps one blow off steam in a world where your either a burger flipper or a office zombie who gets little pay what else is there to do with your valuable free time that's cheap and simple. Not to mention modern populaces of the world are breed to consume...There is plenty of things to do other than buy games, music and movies.

8.5.2009 19:37 #30

ZippyDSM

Quote:Quote:Originally posted by senator29: When will they learn?

Piracy "costs" very little. Of all the stuff I get illegally, about 1% of it I would actually buy and do.

If free copies didn't exist online do you think I would spend $2500 for adobe master suite? Would I spend thousands for 3Dsmax? Would I go to walmart and buy up all their edited CD's? Would I go buy over 200 DVDs at 30 bucks a pop?

YA RIGHT! But to ignore something that is free is a bit hard.

I buy what I need. I buy what I can afford. And entertainment is not affordable or needed.

I could write a book about fair pricing, quality of product, and the retarded profits of companies these days. But I won't do it here.I disagree entertainment is needed it keeps the mind active,inspires and helps one blow off steam in a world where your either a burger flipper or a office zombie who gets little pay what else is there to do with your valuable free time that's cheap and simple. Not to mention modern populaces of the world are breed to consume...There is plenty of things to do other than buy games, music and movies.No one said anythign about buying, but sitting down and enjoying a good tune,flick,book,ect.

8.5.2009 19:40 #31

senator29

Quote:Quote:Quote:Originally posted by senator29: When will they learn?

Piracy "costs" very little. Of all the stuff I get illegally, about 1% of it I would actually buy and do.

If free copies didn't exist online do you think I would spend $2500 for adobe master suite? Would I spend thousands for 3Dsmax? Would I go to walmart and buy up all their edited CD's? Would I go buy over 200 DVDs at 30 bucks a pop?

YA RIGHT! But to ignore something that is free is a bit hard.

I buy what I need. I buy what I can afford. And entertainment is not affordable or needed.

I could write a book about fair pricing, quality of product, and the retarded profits of companies these days. But I won't do it here.I disagree entertainment is needed it keeps the mind active,inspires and helps one blow off steam in a world where your either a burger flipper or a office zombie who gets little pay what else is there to do with your valuable free time that's cheap and simple. Not to mention modern populaces of the world are breed to consume...There is plenty of things to do other than buy games, music and movies.No one said anythign about buying, but sitting down and enjoying a good tune,flick,book,ect.Legally you have to buy them to enjoy them. Only thing really free is radio. Movies on cable, satellite, internet, well you pay for those services.

And this whole thread is around the concept of paying or not paying. so yes it is about paying. if things were free to begin with piracy wouldnt exist and this thread wouldnt either. If things were fairly priced this thread may not exist.

8.5.2009 20:10 #32

ZippyDSM

Quote:Quote:Quote:Quote:Originally posted by senator29: When will they learn?

Piracy "costs" very little. Of all the stuff I get illegally, about 1% of it I would actually buy and do.

If free copies didn't exist online do you think I would spend $2500 for adobe master suite? Would I spend thousands for 3Dsmax? Would I go to walmart and buy up all their edited CD's? Would I go buy over 200 DVDs at 30 bucks a pop?

YA RIGHT! But to ignore something that is free is a bit hard.

I buy what I need. I buy what I can afford. And entertainment is not affordable or needed.

I could write a book about fair pricing, quality of product, and the retarded profits of companies these days. But I won't do it here.I disagree entertainment is needed it keeps the mind active,inspires and helps one blow off steam in a world where your either a burger flipper or a office zombie who gets little pay what else is there to do with your valuable free time that's cheap and simple. Not to mention modern populaces of the world are breed to consume...There is plenty of things to do other than buy games, music and movies.No one said anythign about buying, but sitting down and enjoying a good tune,flick,book,ect.Legally you have to buy them to enjoy them. Only thing really free is radio. Movies on cable, satellite, internet, well you pay for those services.

And this whole thread is around the concept of paying or not paying. so yes it is about paying. if things were free to begin with piracy wouldnt exist and this thread wouldnt either. If things were fairly priced this thread may not exist.*Sigh*Everything done in a consumer driven society is an act of paying, even a good portion the very taxes we pay wind up in the hands of the "owners" of society.

So the point is minimizing personal expense's to enjoy what you can like any good lil greedy capitalistic or communistic sheep.

By the end of the day it dose not matter if I or you buy the crap they are selling, the majority of society will be happy to call it manure and eat it up. And as long as the process of owning media is under the thumb of big content no is safe much less the artist/creator or the consumer they are fed to.

IE Copy right is broken and until they focus on profit based activities they are nothing more than a common racket robbing and bribing everyone they can.

8.5.2009 21:26 #33

XENON

Whoop de freaking do! I Frankly could care less if we were on the piracy list or not. That's still not going to stop me from downloading software, etc. If I like it I'll buy it. Kind of hypocritical of the US moral police(read RIAA, MPAA) to tell us what to do, how to think. They need to worry a lot more about europe, russia and asia! our so called 'piracy' is a drop of spittle in a spitoon compared to what's going on there. I wouldn't be suprised if organized crime has a piece of this lucrative pie.

8.5.2009 22:45 #34

DXR88

they say money is the root to all evil, we are the root of evil. greed is our nature with out greed money wouldn't exist.

No matter how earnest the man, greed will always consume us.

8.5.2009 23:57 #35

hermes_vb

Slavery wasn't abolished. It just turned into an eight hours a day operation.

9.5.2009 01:21 #36

Thamiel

LMFAO it'd be 389 years at most since that is when the 1st settlers arrived to North America, 2nd quite a few races of people have been enslaved as far back as bible times.

Use Google or Wiki and at least get your facts straight

22.5.2009 10:54 #37

bc_grl

If Canada can help cripple the US government by piracy, then I am all for it!!! I am so sick of hearing that the Canadians needs to be watchful of the big brother US. Screw them. I honestly don't care what the US thinks or cares about. They don't run Canada.

23.5.2009 14:56 #38

homesick

Originally posted by bc_grl: If Canada can help cripple the US government by piracy, then I am all for it!!! I am so sick of hearing that the Canadians needs to be watchful of the big brother US. Screw them. I honestly don't care what the US thinks or cares about. They don't run Canada.your right, they just protect it, and no protection = puney country, that alot of countrys would invade for the takeing. I too am against it, but like it or not canada, you will most likely give in to the US.

26.5.2009 11:06 #39

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