Libraries urge Ottawa to consider consumers in drafting copyright law

Last Updated: Friday, December 21, 2007 | 1:20 PM ET

CBC News

The Canadian Library Association is wading into the debate about copyright with a warning to Ottawa not to forget the rights of consumers.

The CLA fears the Canadian government, now redrafting copyright legislation, will create a new act closely mirroring U.S. legislation that curtails consumer rights, such as the right to copy material for their own use, Don Butcher, executive director of the Canadian Libraries Association said in a news conference in Ottawa Friday.

"This is a battle between Hollywood lobbyists versus the average Canadian," Butcher said.

He called for a "made-in-Canada" solution that balances the rights of consumers with the rights of creators.

Any changes made to law should protect artists such as musicians and authors, but also allow copying for individual use, he said.

He urged Industry Minister Jim Prentice not to follow the American example, which imposed tough safeguards for copying to protect music and film rights.

Copyright legislation in EU countries such as France does allow consumers to make copies of, for example, a CD they have bought and want to keep in their computer hard drive in case the original gets scratched.

Rigid restrictions on copyright could even restrict the common practice of recording TV shows so consumers can watch them later.

Copyright law is hotly debated on blogs and internet sites, indicating a high level of interest in copyright rules, Butcher said.

"Interest in the legislation isn't just coming from experts and specialists, lawyers and lobbyists. This time, interest is coming from ordinary Canadians," Butcher said.

The Canadian Recording Industry Association and movie makers, most of them based in Hollywood, are among the groups lobbying for tougher laws in Canada.

Industry Minister Jim Prentice was expected to table much-awaited amendments to the act earlier this month, but the legislation was delayed and now Ottawa is not saying when the law might be ready.