Canadian election Copyright Pledge gains steam

More and more of Canada's electoral candidates are signing onto the Copyright Pledge, just one week after its release.

The initial reaction to the pledge has been very strong. I am pleased to advise that the Green Party (as a party) has agreed to the pledge. In addition, the following NDP MPs have added their names as supporters:

* Charlie Angus, New Democrat MP, Timmins-James Bay, ON
* Olivia Chow, New Democrat MP, Trinity-Spadina, ON
* Libby Davies, New Democrat MP, Vancouver East, BC
* Michael Byers, New Democrat Candidate, Vancouver Centre, BC
* Anne Lagacé Dowson, New Democrat Candidate, Westmount, QC
* Phil Brown, New Democrat Candidate, Nepean-Carleton, ON
* John Chan, New Democrat Candidate, Calgary Centre-North, AB
* Tyler Kinch, New Democrat Candidate, Calgary Centre, AB

...The pledge again: Will you commit to a balanced approach to copyright reform that reflects the views of all Canadians by pledging:

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.

Read that pledge again -- can you believe that there are candidates in this election who can find something to object to in those three points? Copyright Pledge Gains Momentum - Green Party and NDP Candidates On Board

[#1 posted by GeekMan , October 2, 2008 9:21 PM]

Libby Davies is my MP in Vancouver East and she rocks. I can always expect a timely and personalized response to my e-mails regarding national issues of concern. It's great to see her on this list. :-)

[#2 posted by LeavingHalfway , October 2, 2008 11:06 PM]

Of course, you can just define "the rights of creators and consumers" any way you wish, and still be keeping to the terms of the pledge without having to change a damn thing.

What? Oh yeah, I signed that. The consumers have the right to buy that piece of copyrighted material, and listen to it some places. And the creators get, um, everything else. Sounds good? Who's up for a beer?

[#3 posted by Anonymous , October 3, 2008 9:53 AM]

Libby is amazing! I was actual a bit reluctant to move downtown from Commercial Drive because she wouldn't be my MP anymore.

[#4 posted by Baldhead , October 3, 2008 9:58 AM]

Well hopefully "Creators" is considered as the actual creator not the corporate entity that loaned them the money to help make the creation.

But I think point three is the big one there. And a marked contrast to other recent attempts.

[#5 posted by jbang , October 5, 2008 3:45 AM]

I heart Canada.

If I was a US citizen and the election goes to the right... then I'd be marching towards Canada.

Much like I vowed to get the hell out of Australia if the conservative party won last election (thankfully, they didn't). Or I'd be in New Zealand right now.