Canada Creates Cap On Liability For File Sharing Lawsuits 208
An anonymous reader writes "Over the past couple of days, there have been reports
about the return of file sharing lawsuits to Canada, with fears that
thousands of Canadians could be targeted. While it is possible that
many will receive demand letters, Michael Geist has posted a
detailed primer on liability in Canada that notes that recent
changes to Canadian copyright law limit liability in non-commercial
cases to a maximum of $5,000 for all infringement claims. In fact,
it is likely that a court would award far less — perhaps as little
as $100 — if the case went to court as even the government's
FAQ on the recent copyright reform bill provided assurances
that Canadians 'will not face disproportionate penalties for minor
infringements of copyright by distinguishing between commercial and
non-commercial infringement.'"
$5000 dollars? (Score:5, Funny)
> in non-commercial cases to a maximum of $5,000 for all infringement claims.
But that is $5000 in Canadian dollars. How much is that in human dollars?
Re:First global warming now this... (Score:5, Funny)
Instead, let's start importing common sense from Canada. Since it is a limited natural resource, we would have to negotiate a fair market price for it. But we need it because the natural reserves of common sense in the US seem scarce.
Re:$5000 dollars? (Score:5, Funny)
At current exchange rates, $5,033 USD, or $4814 AUD, and the rest, you can Google for yourself.
Re:First global warming now this... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:First global warming now this... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:First global warming now this... (Score:5, Funny)
Relax. In a couple of generations the US will be utterly reliant on Canada for much of its grain, energy and fresh water. You can join Confederation, get proper universal health care (instead of that bizarre bastardized system known as Obamacare, something only an American government could come up with), have Prince William as head of titular head of state instead of that incredibly silly President person, an executive that can be toppled by a vote of no confidence by the legislative branch, loonie dollar coins and a more sensible approach to copyright.
Heck, with the Westminster System, the likelihood of a third or fourth party have decent representation in the legislative branch goes up significantly.
Oh, and we have a plucky national anthem.
Re:First global warming now this... (Score:4, Funny)
Don't mention "plucky" and "O Canada" in the same sentence or you'll have "The Maple Leaf Forever" adherents popping out of the woodwork to proclaim the superiority of their chosen song.