Fair Copyright for Canada

This is the second issue of This Week in Vancouver, with some significant updates of the latest happenings.

The Second Issue – Two weeks since the first

Pamphlets

Kristine Best has prepared a C-61 pamphlet including an overview of the bill as well as what’s wrong with it. These are free to download for anyone wishing to hand them out at any events. She is currently working on a revision of the pamphlet.

• PDF
• Open Office File

BCCLA Position

The BCCLA has recently adopted VFC’s position against bill C-61 following a presentation by Greg McMullen and Chris Brand. The position covers multiple areas relating to freedom of expression and privacy.

• Position Paper

Redeye Interview

Redeye, a current affairs program on Vancouver Cooperative Radio, interviewed Geof Glass about C-61.

• Interview audio

Delta Town Hall Meeting

Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal MP for Newton-North Delta, held a fair copyright townhall on July 30. Approximately 30 people attended. Scott Cave, CEO of Langley Rook Interactive, and Geoffrey Glass, representing Vancouver Fair Copyright, gave presentations. Bill McGrath provided copies of his User Rights, circumvention examples, and Kris and Robert’s pamphlets to attendees. All of the citizens who spoke opposed the negative impacts of Bill C-61. Mr. Dhaliwal said that of all the current government’s initiatives, this is one of the top three that have attracted concern among his constituents.

• Geof’s speech
• User Rights Document

Meeting with Hedy Fry

Three VFC members from the Vancouver Centre riding met with their MP, Hedy Fry (Liberal), on July 30, along with two other constituents. Ms. Fry is skeptical of the bill, which she regards as a “20th-century solution to a 21st-century problem.” She asked whether we thought it could be amended or should be scrapped altogether, and was also interested in suggestions about alternative models such as licensing. The attendees stressed flaws in C-61′s anti-circumvention provisions and left her with a copy of VFC’s list of legitimate circumventions (as well as a copy of Lawrence Lessig’s Free Culture).

• Circumvention Examples
• Free Culture