Canadians: ask your candidates to take the Copyright Pledge!
Michael Geist sez,
Copyright reform has not generated much attention during the current Canadian political campaign with every indication that the Conservatives will reintroduce the Canadian DMCA if re-elected. There are still several weeks left in the campaign, so there is still a chance to build on the recent emergence of a strong voice for fair copyright in Canada.The Copyright Pledge - 2008 Election Edition (Thanks, Michael!)Following on the 2006 copyfight pledge, ask your MP or political party to take the 2008 copyright pledge:
Will you commit to a balanced approach to copyright reform that reflects the views of all Canadians by pledging:There are at least three steps to help fight the reintroduction of a Canadian DMCA First, urge all political parties to sign on to the pledge. Second, raise the issue with your local candidates - attend a town hall meeting or debate, pose the question if a candidate knocks at your door, or send an email to all the candidates in your riding. Third, email your copyright question to question@electiondebate08.ca. There are still 18 days left in the campaign which provides plenty of time to ensure that fair copyright concerns are heard before election day.1. To respect the rights of creators and consumers.
2. Not to support any copyright bill that undermines or weakens the Copyright Act’s users rights.
3. To fully consult with Canadians before introducing any copyright reform bill and to conduct inclusive, national hearings on any tabled bill.
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Canadians: Respect Your Elections Act!
No matter where we stand on Canadian copyright reform, we should all try not to ask our candidates to break the law by taking such a pledge during an election campaign.
American Republicans are routinely pressured into pledging all sorts of things, like no tax increases. This is a form of anti-democratic governance interruption. Politicians are elected to lead wisely according to circumstances, not to blindly follow pre-scripted policy positions.
@1
From Michael Geist's webpage:
Problem solved?
@JD: This isn't against the law, since it's got no ability to compel -- it's entirely moral suasion, not a contract.
pauldrye,
Then why word it as a contract?
But to answer Rhowan's question -- yes, this one problem I have identified in Michael Geist's posting is solved by the disclaimer.
I still wonder why the user is privileged in the pledge, but I often wonder similar things when reading Michael Geist.
"Then why word it as a contract?"
Because not everybody is that literal.
I'm sorry, Church, but my literal interpretation of this contract is based on past knowledge of these types of copyright pledges pushed at politicians in Canada. I can understand how it might seem harmless to some. It does not to me.
There's a lot of denial around this thing. I don't really understand why folks don't just say, "yep, that pledge idea went too far." If it didn't go too far, why change it?
I stumbled upon a Darfur Genocide rally on UBC campus where all the candidates in my riding (Vancouver-Quadra) were speaking. A bit after the event (I wanted to finish my lunch; this seriously was a random-ass encounter: way to advertise, 'STAND Canada'), I approached the Green Party candidate Dan Grice, who'd stuck around to... 'inquire after' a women's volleyball team who'd been watching on the grassy knoll nearby. *
I decided that clearly the most appropriate issue to follow up a speech about millions of people dying fruitlessly is the state of intellectual and digital rights, I asked him about his stance on, you know, like copyright and net neutrality and shit.
And he completely blew me away with his immediate and thoroughly informed response. Could have been something right out of Lessig or Geist.
So I'm not sure if it's the Greens' official policy, maybe it's just him, or maybe it's just a by-product of the kind of people who'd enter third- (...well, fifth-)party Federal politics, but it's pretty clear the Greens are not a single-issue party. I picked up my four or five items obscene items of crinkly, ugly non-recyclable detritus unapologetically and shook his hand. I'm voting Green.
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[off-topic]
* The organizers of the rally had picked up immediately to march. As soon as a bongo was produced, I started to get a sinking feeling in my stomache. I noticed the array of signs and retarded, adversarializing chants that completely marginalized their cause.
"One, two, three, fo, Genocide has got to go!"
"What do we want?" "No genocide!" "When do we want it?" "NOW!"
Ugh.
Dan declined to join. I actually spoke further with him, asking his opinion on the purpose of this kind of protest. We have a similar campus issue (specifically about aforementioned dear, beloved Grassy Knoll) where even in a leftie-ass super-stronghold like the fucking University of British Columbia, hippies and hippie-like actions tend to turn people actively against good causes they'd otherwise support strongly. He was a little evasive, but it was pretty clear he mostly felt similarly. A topic for another day.
Oh, wait:
Green Platform -> Good Government -> Supporting the free flow of information
http://www.greenparty.ca/en/policy/visiongreen/partsix#_Toc180047668
and
Greens blast Big Brother copyright Bill
http://www.greenparty.ca/en/releases/12.06.2008
these types of copyright pledges pushed at politicians in Canada
There have been others previously? Cite, please.
What nonsense.
1. Not every candidate is comfortable osculating Michael Geist's posterior. Now, why could that be?
2. Oh, goody. Copyright pledge. The MOST important issue facing Canada today. Every politician is just going to give this his or her full attention.
3. A campaign promise is as sincere as a hooker's kiss. Or do you fancy yourself to be really really rilllly important?
4. Economy? Piffle. Environment? Pish-tosh. Afghanistan? Wherzat? Ah, yes! Copyright! Take the pledge! Pin the tail on the donkey!
You folks are kidding yourself more than Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld did about WMDs in Iraq. THIS IS NOT AN ELECTION ISSUE, kiddies.
Vote early and often.
JR