Canada Says No To DMCA 590
P Starrson writes "
The Canadian government has reportedly said no to the DMCA. It
released its plans
for copyright reform today with a limited anti-circumvention provision
that would not cover the likes of DeCSS. It even avoided the U.S.
"notice and takedown system" that has caused a big headache for U.S.
ISPs. A good summary is available from Canadian law professor Michael Geist. "
Good step? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Good step? (Score:3, Insightful)
The DMCA was not designed to put the government's nose into every aspect of your life. I was designed by content providers/creators to help them enforce their perceived rights as copyright owners in the face of what they saw as an attack.
It's not The Big Bad Government trying to nose its way into our lives, it's one group of people (content providers/owners) trying to make sure that what they perceive as their best interests are protected through the law.
That doesn't make it right of course,
Not really (Score:5, Insightful)
In other cases, Politicians will do something as a cause and try to make it look like they are doing the right thing, when in reality they know it is wrong, but simply wish to have something for the election.
Bad Example (Score:5, Interesting)
-Dan
Re:Bad Example (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Bad Example (Score:4, Interesting)
In other words, STFU.
Re:Bad Example (Score:3, Insightful)
Most of us won't get any serious profit from our writing, but he does.
Re:Not really (Score:4, Interesting)
Come to my country. You can stay forever if you give enough money to the correct political party. Bribery really sucks, no matter what you call it.
Not bad politics - Politics are bad (Score:3, Insightful)
Unfortunatly, good politics and what is good for the people seldom intersect and politicians of course will go with good politics almost everytime.
Re:Actually... (Score:3, Insightful)
No, it's GREAT politics. It's very POOR leadership. Politics is about selling your soul to the highest bidder. Leadership is about doing the right thing, even though your "friends" with the deep pockets might not like it. We many great politicians in this country, but very few leaders.
Re:Good step? (Score:5, Insightful)
Last time I checked, I thought the government was supposed to preserve fundamental Constitutional rights, not pass a new law when some lawmaker has to take care of those who donated to their campaigns.
Simply put, people will try to do things to put themselves at the top, but it's the governments fault for allowing itself to be manipulated.
I think Thomas Jefferson would be crying right now
Re:Good step? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Good step? (Score:3, Insightful)
So exactly how can we as voters have any influence? Voting doesn't work anymore. Our "representivite democracy"
Re:Good step? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Good step? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Good step? (Score:3, Insightful)
If more people voted, and voted on important issues as opposed to who says they're going to give them more free stuff, Democrats and Republicans would no longer be able to get away with being the same
How many times is this statement going to get a +5 on slashdot?
Are Democrats and Republicans automatically the same because your pet issue (copyright) isn't at the top of the national agenda?
How can you say they are the same when you look at the respective issues on abortion, the war in Iraq, progressive t
Re:Good step? (Score:5, Insightful)
If you assume somebody is being evil just for the sake of being evil, it's more likely their motive is selfish and you just don't know yet what they're trying to get. That doesn't mean they're not evil.
Re:Good step? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Good step? (Score:5, Funny)
First the DMCA takes away our rights, and now it's posting on slashdot! Will the tyranny ever end?!
Re:Good step? (Score:5, Funny)
Repeat. Ad nausem.
-----
Check out the Uncyclopedia.org [uncyclopedia.org] [uncyclopedia.org] , the only wiki source for not-semi-kinda-untruth about things like Kitten Huffing [uncyclopedia.org] [uncyclopedia.org] and Pong! the Movie [uncyclopedia.org] [uncyclopedia.org]!
Re:Good step? (Score:5, Insightful)
Apropos the article, while the DMCA is pretty intrusive all by itself, EVERY industrialized nation has copyright laws that intrude heavily into the informational aspects of our lives. No exceptions. I don't care if it's an inch or a foot, I don't want that camel's nose in my tent at all!
This news should be cause to praise Canada, and not to bash the US. Canada might now have a tiny shiny spot on its pot, but that pot is still pretty damned black to be pointing out kettles with.
Re:I AM (Score:5, Funny)
Could you kinda like, um, stop sucking? I'll wave a flag or whatever, maybe even say something nice about the President, but please, stop sucking.
Re:I AM (Score:5, Funny)
Hey. I'm not a lumberjack, or a fur trader.
And I don't live in an igloo, or eat blubber, or own a dogsled.
And I don't know Jimmy, Sally or Suzy from Canada, although I'm certain they're really, really nice.
I have a Prime Minister, not a President.
I speak English and French, NOT American. and I pronounce it 'ABOUT', NOT 'A BOOT'.
I can proudly sew my country's flag on my backpack. I believe in peace keeping, NOT policing. DIVERSITY, NOT assimilation, AND THAT THE BEAVER IS A TRULY PROUD AND NOBLE ANIMAL.
A TOQUE IS A HAT, A CHESTERFIELD IS A COUCH, AND IT IS PRONOUCED 'ZED' NOT 'ZEE', 'ZED'!!!
CANADA IS THE SECOND LARGEST LANDMASS! THE FIRST NATION OF HOCKEY! AND THE BEST PART OF NORTH AMERICA!
MY NAME IS JOE!! AND I AM CANADIAN!!!!!!!!
Thank you.
Re:I AM (Score:3, Funny)
You know my great-uncle?!?
How about his twin brother ZEB?
Re:ZED? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:ZED? (Score:3, Interesting)
Almost failed when I recited the last character as "Zed".
Because I came with an out-of-country license, I had to take a road test. Inspector almost freaked when I downshifted going down a long, steep hill, instead of riding the brake. He got really angry when I parked beyond a fire hydrant when asked to "turn left and park at the corner" -- he wanted me to make a three point turn around the corner next an
Re:Money (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Stop sending us mad cattle. (Score:5, Informative)
As for the by-products control, the thing was, seven years ago Canada banned using animal by-products as animal feed. The cows that the States got were seven years old, and had been raised for the first few months of their life on the LAST few months of animal by-product feed process. These were the LAST possible cows who could have gotten Mad Cow from the feed, and they did, and we gave them to you guys. One in a million shot, doctor... one in a million.
MOD PARENT UP (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Good step? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Good step? (Score:3, Informative)
We used to just hope to be assimilated into America but lately the Americans are scaring the shit out of us. Patriot Act, DMCA, etc..
This current minority Government probably won't make the summer so this issue may die with an election call.
I love to be Canadian! (Score:4, Funny)
Emigrate. It`s not too late!
Immigration... (Score:5, Informative)
http://www.cic.gc.ca/ [cic.gc.ca]
Re:I love to be Canadian! (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:It's never too late... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:It's never too late... (Score:5, Funny)
Freedom! (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Freedom! (Score:4, Funny)
*cough*EXPATRIATION*cough* (Score:5, Funny)
Re:*cough*EXPATRIATION*cough* (Score:5, Funny)
Redeem us from bad press (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Redeem us from bad press (Score:4, Funny)
What are you talking about? Slashdot and its readership are primarally American. As far as I'm concerned, if they don't like how we're running things up here, that's a sign that we're doing things right
Give it time... between this, the marijuana-reform legislation and the gay and lesbian marriges we'll be part of the Axis of Evil in no time, and they'll start contemplating dropping nuclear-waste-I-mean-bunker-buster-bombs on us too.
Re:Redeem us from bad press (Score:4, Informative)
w00t! (Score:4, Insightful)
Would anyone notice? (Score:5, Insightful)
The border is already effectively closed as far as I'm concerned. The USA has REPEATEDLY lost their battles over softwood tariffs and beef import restrictions and yet the politicians down there are still blocking imports by simply throwing up new laws/rules that they *know* will eventually be struck down again. NAFTA is a complete failure from the Canadian perspective as the "free flow of goods and services" is apparently only a one-way deal.
There is a growing sentiment up here that we should no longer offer the USA preferential access to our natural resources. If you don't want our lumber or our beef, why should we be paying high electric rates to subsidise California? Why should we be shipping our fresh water south by the truckload?
I (and many other Canadians) have stopped going to the USA on vacation. I now give my tourist dollars to countries in Asia, Europe and elsewhere.
Re:Would anyone notice? (Score:3, Insightful)
Because, thank the proverbian god, the Conservatives got kicked out before they sold Canada's water by river/channel-full. Look at the James Bay crap. Then earlier in the 60s there was the NAWAPA proposal.
Even now, G.W.B. wants to buy Canada's water in bullk. http://greatlakesdirectory.org/zarticles/101702_g r eat_lakes3.htm [greatlakesdirectory.org].
In NAFTA, it states that bulk water is not covered. BUT if Canada starts selling bulk water, we cannot stop (under
Re:Would anyone notice? (Score:3, Insightful)
I used to think the conservatives would probably screw everything up pretty bad. Then I moved to Australia for a year.
Now I know the conservatives will screw everything up really bad. The conservative equivalent party here has completely destroyed the country.
Everything that has been privatised got far worse because of it, you have to pay for everything, but.. they still get taxed to hell. The priv
Re:Read the fine print (Score:3, Insightful)
"Fucking Yanks".
That's what Canadians instinctively think when they hear comments such as yours. "Banana Republic, Guam, Puerto Rico". Oh, how we drool at the thought of being associated with these stellar examples of democratization, liberty and equality that the U.S. has produced.
You walk your walk and talk your talk now while you have a bit of bounce in your step. Do you really think Canada - or the world - exists purely to satisfy the needs of the U.S? Do you think you'll just invade countries and plu
Walk this way... (Score:4, Funny)
Is hip-hop not popular over there or something?
Re:Walk this way... (Score:3, Informative)
That should answer your question.
Re:Walk this way... (Score:4, Funny)
What are you talking about? There are TONS of African-Canadians up here. Most of them are decended from ppl who escaped slavery in the US on the underground railway, as a matter of fact.
And Hip-Hop is also very popular amongst bored white upper-middle-class teenaged preppy gangster-wannabes.
Re:Walk this way... (Score:4, Informative)
Self Identify Black Canadian - 662,215
2.02%
compair to 12.9% in the US
just for the record
Re:Walk this way... (Score:5, Funny)
NAFTA (Score:4, Interesting)
Lesson from Europe (Score:5, Insightful)
Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom (and its a PITA).
Some of the text (Score:5, Informative)
Government of Canada Unveils Plans for Copyright Reform
Industry Canada and Canadian Heritage, the two departments responsible for copyright policy in Canada, this morning released a joint statement on plans for copyright reform. There is an additional FAQ that fleshes out the issues. A bill is expected this spring and the statement spells out where Canada is headed. The key points include:
1. The government will implement the WIPO Internet treaties. Note that the government now speaks of implementing, rather than formally ratifying, the treaties. They indicate that they will consider ratification after this bill is passed.
2. The package will include an anti-circumvention provision applied to copyright material. There is no mention of extending the provision to devices (as is the case in the U.S.) and the specific reference to applying the provision to copyright material suggests that the provision will limit its applicability to circumvention to commit copyright infringement. The rights management information is similarly limited to instances to "further or conceal copyright infringement." While no anti-circumvention provision would be better, this suggests that the Canadian provision will feature some real balance.
Moreover, the FAQ makes clear that "the circumvention of a TPM applied to copyright material will only be illegal if it is carried out with the objective of infringing copyright. Legitimate access, as authorized by the Copyright Act, will not be altered." This is very different from anti-circumvention provisions found in the U.S. However, the FAQ also notes that circumvention for the purposes of private copying will not be permitted, meaning people may find themselves paying for a CD and paying a levy on blank CD yet unable to make the copy of the underlying CD.
3. The recording industry gets some of their package - a making available right and a full reproduction right for performers.
4. A "notice and notice" system for ISPs rather than notice and takedown. Canadian ISPs will only be required to notify their subscriber of an infringement claim, not take the content down as is found in the U.S. The ISP will be required to retain subscriber information, however to ensure that it is available should litigation later arise.
This is a major development as it implements a much fairer system than that found in the U.S. (or even the more draconian notice and termination system that CRIA raised last spring). The FAQ argues that this system is better suited to a P2P world, since notice and takedown simply doesn't work for P2P.
5. The photographers' copyright issue will also be addressed. It is not entirely clear how the reform will address the commissioning of photographs issue - an exception for private or domestic commissions is contemplated, but this one that really requires the legislative language. No word either on what will happen with the stalled Senate bill on this issue.
6. As previously reported, the extended license for Internet materials has been shelved for now with a consultation on the issue planned for this year.
7. The Act will include new provisions to facilitate electronic delivery of materials within schools and libraries. This is viewed as addressing the user side of the equation. It's a start but obviously user rights don't command the same attention as the rights holder groups.
8. Other major issues for immediate consultation include private copying and broadcasters rights.
The devil will be in the details but this represents a major shift away from the embarrassingly one-sided Canadian Heritage Standing Committee recommendations issued last May. While that report clearly pushed the agenda forward, the government's response has certainly recognized the need for some balance. Lots more on these issues to come...
Re:Some of the text (Score:5, Insightful)
This is kind of sad. Ok, it may not be a DMCA-like reform we are heading toward, but it still eats away a chunck of my fair-use rights. I mean, now I won't have the right to circumvent DRM-protected files so I can play them on linux? In the future, if they begin to sell DRM-crippled CD's and CD player, I won't have the right to circumvent it's DRM scheme so I can put the music on my iPod (as an example only)? The rest seems to have reach a good balance, but this one I do not like how it sounds.
So ok, things like DeCSS won't be illegal in itself, but using it to rip my DVDs to my harddrive will so I should rejoice why exactly? Because it is not has bad as in the US? It's not as bad so it is ok? Way to go...
Sorry for the rant, this just frustrates me a lot.
Why do countries (Score:5, Funny)
English Parliament is great... (Score:5, Insightful)
I *WANT* to see all future US Presidents have to defend themselves in front of the US Senate.
I *WANT* to see GW Bush have to defend himself to cross-examination by opposition parties on the floor of the Senate.
So yeah, I do think there's something the US can learn from British Parliament-style government.
Re:English Parliament is great... (Score:3, Informative)
Generally, a questioner can ask a supplementary question. The leader of the opposition (largest party not in power) gets 3 or 4 supplementary questions aft
Broad Language... (Score:3, Insightful)
I think we'll see many mp3z.ca type sites popping up. When canada opens up decent-sized hosting, someone's going to abuse it from afar (outside of Canada's jurisdiction). A Japanese pirater will use Canada's hosting (which will probably grow due to the lax liability laws) to serve to American consumers. The pirate network will never die, it seems...
Canada ... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:The grass is always greener on the other side (Score:4, Insightful)
Now, the last thing I want to do is give somebody a reason to invoke Godwin's law, but for crying out quietly, 30 years' worth of extradition requests and we only now get rid of the jackass?
Free Speech (tm) exists in Canada, and I have *never* had cause to believe that we're more draconian than anybody else. For one thing, we never produced a Joe McCarthy....
Free speech (Score:5, Insightful)
An example of free speech: we don't get called unpatriotic and/or labelled a terrorist (and thus have almost all personal rights revoked) for saying that our political leader is a dickhead. I would even dare say that it's a necessity to question the competence of our leaders, otherwise they would get away with worse stuff than they do now.
Re:Free speech (Score:3, Funny)
I don't think there is any question about the competence of our leaders.
That's like questioning if ice is hot or Gigli was a good movie.
Mod chips (Score:4, Informative)
That sounds like it will allow the creation and sale of mod chips as long as they are used legally. Though, it doesn't allow private copying which means that cracking iTunes for personal use is still not legal.
--
Want a free iPod? [freeipods.com]
Or try a free Nintendo DS, GC, PS2, Xbox. [freegamingsystems.com] (you only need 4 referrals)
Wired article as proof [wired.com]
Re:Mod chips (Score:3, Informative)
If you cracked them for your own use, how are you infringing COPYRIGHT?
I don't believe it! (Score:5, Funny)
First "USA - North" say they won't participate [elitestv.com] in our beloved Star Wars, and now they refuse to embrace our holy copyright law?!
I hope they know what the price of defiance is, and I think I speak for the rest of Jebusland when I say, "Let's roll!"
I expect your people will greet us with Flowers and Candies, too.
Re:I don't believe it! (Score:4, Funny)
Then did he raise on high the Holy Act of Digital Millenium Copyrights, saying, "Bless this, O Lord, that with it thou mayst oppress thine constituents to tiny mindless peoples, in thy mercy." And the people did rejoice and did feast upon the
wow (Score:5, Interesting)
If I buy a CD, I have every right to make a backup copy of that. Its called fair use. If I have to circumvent security to exercise my rights as a citizen and consumer, then I am circumventing a system which is trying to PREVENT me from exercising my rights. So what takes precendence? Fair use or DRM, which will take a higher precedence in a Canadian Court of law?
Re:wow (Score:5, Informative)
In the USA,"Fair Use" is not a right.
It is defense against prosecution.
It is also very nebulously defined, on purpose to make it applicable to future situations without requiring amendment, but that also means the application is not clear cut, generally relying on case law to determine specifics.
Here is the section of US copyright law that defines fair use:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/usc_sec_17_0
No to DMCA? WTF? (Score:5, Informative)
Currently no. Once this act is passed, yes they can. The ISP is obligated to maintain sufficent records to identify the subscriber for a period of time.
Relevent documentation from Proposed changes [pch.gc.ca]:
Upon receipt of a notice, ISPs would also be required to keep a record of relevant information for a specified time. Rights holders would have the legal means to compel ISPs to comply with the regime.
AND
(FAQ [pch.gc.ca])
This will clarify that the unauthorized posting or the peer-to-peer file-sharing of material on the Internet will constitute an infringement of copyright.
Can users copy records/movies for private use?
Currently yes. After this act is passed, yes BUT users are not allowed to legally bypass any restrictions (DRM) in order to do so. That becomes illegal.
Relevent documentation from Proposed changes [pch.gc.ca]:
The Act's private copying regime provides for an exception to copyright that permits the making of a copy of a sound recording for private use
BUT... not everything is good: (from FAQ [pch.gc.ca])
The bill will also contain legal protections for technological protection measures (encryptions, password requirements) and rights management systems containing information for the purpose of tracking uses of works. The removal of or tampering with such measures for the purpose of infringing copyright will itself constitute an infringement of copyright.
What this looks like is basically opening the door to lawsuits for record companies, making file sharing illegal and closing the door on consumers being able to turn off DRM to make a copy of a CD or movie for themselves.
How is this not DMCA?
Je n'ai comprend pas.
Re:No to DMCA? WTF? (Score:3, Funny)
Je ne comprends pas, indeed.
Re:No to DMCA? WTF? (Score:3, Informative)
Circumvention for the purposes of making private copies of sound recordings will not be permitted, however.
Re:No to DMCA? WTF? (Score:3, Informative)
Why is the government not instituting a "notice and takedown" regime for ISPs (as other countries have done)?
A "notice and takedown" regime typically requires an ISP to block access to material upon receipt of a notice from a rights holder that alleges such material to be infringing. The obligation to block access lies with the ISP whose facilities are being used to host the allegedly infringing material. Under Canadi
Good work... (Score:3, Funny)
LK
Not as awesome as it seems (Score:5, Interesting)
And the "notice and takedown" provison is being avoided, but a "notice and notice" provision is being sought, which is slightly less problematic (it does not require immediate removal of the allegedly infringing material) but there are still provisions being sought that require an ISP to facilitate the process of finding and suing potential infringers.
The gov't clearly wants to restrict the definition of "publicly available" material on the internet, and expand the licensing agreement between educational institutions and content providers (read: more money flows from students to copyright holders). If you are a private individual and not a student, there is to date no mention of how you might legally copy information available on the internet.
And finally, there is no indication yet on the direction the gov't wants to go with our oft-cherised "private copying" right, which currently may or may not apply to downloading music onto your computer. (No, it is not clearly legal in Canada, despite what newspapers and other slashdot posters say. It's just very hard to identify and sue infringers.)
So, there is all that to consider.
ISPs (Score:5, Interesting)
I think this is about as fair a system as you can get. ISPs are protected as carriers of information. Rightsholders are able to proceed with civil actions, but the removal of information requires the finding of a court. And everyone is protected (to some extent) from overzealous rightsholders by the possibility of a "processing fee" to compensate ISPs for their trouble.
Interesting side effect. (Score:3, Interesting)
What I'm curious about now is whether this will lead to an identifier (maybe another DVD region?), for Canada, in the next format, but such that ripped content could be identified.
That's very nice for Canadians, BUT... (Score:3, Insightful)
They're not. Not the big labels at least. http://www.ram.org/ramblings/philosophy/fmp/albin
Oh Canada! (Score:3, Funny)
Nice to see that Canada once again has decided not be the US' bitch.
Analgesic, not a headache! (Score:4, Insightful)
ISP's did not consider the notice and takedown system a headache -- they negotiated for the provisions as a condition of their patronage of the bill!
The reason is simple: ISPs NEVER have to be liable for infringement of its users. A service provider is not responsible for certain user infringements unless and until it receives notice. Then, it is absolutely free of liability (including liability to the user for wrongful takedown) if it takes down the noticed content.
I'm not saying its a good thing, mind you. I'm saying that ISPs bargained for and like these provisions.
Re:So When Piracy Causes The End Of Freedom.... (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:So When Piracy Causes The End Of Freedom.... (Score:4, Insightful)
Yeah, a grow op of 20 plants on the property of a man with nearly a dozen charges of assault, uttering threats, threatening a police officer, firing a gun within city limits, driving infractions, and who was known to be less than stable. He'd sworn, on several occaisions, to kill people who angered him. The guy was a nut job, and in spite of all this, he had no problems buying all the guns he wanted from the government. Blaming this on weed is like blaming World War II on the German sausages causing indigestion.
Re:So When Piracy Causes The End Of Freedom.... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:So When Piracy Causes The End Of Freedom.... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:So When Piracy Causes The End Of Freedom.... (Score:5, Insightful)
Not really. Think about it.
Scenario 1: Pot is legal. You grow pot. You sell pot. You smoke pot. You pay your taxes and uphold the law. The cops don't bother you.
Would you shoot a cop?
Scenario 2: Pot is illegal. If you are caught selling it, you get a large fine and possibly some jail time. If you are caught using it, you get a small fine. You grow pot. You sell pot. You smoke pot. Cops have been tipped off and are coming for you, and if you get caught you face a $20,000 fine up to a year in jail.
Would you shoot a cop?
Scenario 3: Pot is illegal. If you are caught selling it, you go to jail for 20 years. If you are caught using it, you are sent to jail for 3 years. You grow pot. You sell pot. You smoke pot. Cops have been tipped off and are coming for you, and if you get caught you go away for the rest of your life.
Would you shoot a cop?
It appears, because of this event, that they will be shelving legistlation to reduce the penalties involved in marijuana. Does anyone else think this is really stupid, or is it just me?
Re:So When Piracy Causes The End Of Freedom.... (Score:4, Insightful)
Of course the RCMP are playing up the pot as much as possible since it is in their vested interest for the current laws to remain and/or tougher laws to be on the books. They were among the first to put up a stink when the government said it was looking to lessen charges involving weed.
All for a plant that some guy in the 20's didn't really like and he used a bunch of false information to make it illegal. Reefer Madness anyone?
It is a plant! I cannot believe we as a species are so holier than thou that we think we can declare entire plant species as "illegal". Pathetic waste of tax monies enforcing it and it amounts to little but a make work project for those in society who believe they have the right to dictate what others can and cannot do to their bodies.
Nobody has overdosed and died from smoking weed, meanwhile thousands die every year from alcohol poisoning, go figure.
Canadian Bacon (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Burning the Whitehouse (Score:3, Interesting)
We *were* Brits at that point so its a moot point. We were a colony of the British Empire until 1867 and 1947(?) in the case of the province of Newfoundland). We are still a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, and we have many examples of our British heritage. The Queen of England is still our Queen for instance (whe
Re:Huh... (Score:5, Informative)
Progressive, tolerant society?
High standard of living?
Excellent international reputation - a beacon of peace?
Beautiful Canadian women?
Amazing landscape?
Good job opportunites?
Re:There's only one option left (Score:4, Funny)
Done! We're already a step ahead of you, eh.
Re:Nice (Score:5, Insightful)
I know you were probably joking, but why let an opportunity to correct a misconception slip by?
And soon... (Score:5, Insightful)
Even bankruptcy won't help, as Congress is about to vote April 6th on the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005.
Aptly named, the act "protects" banks and lenders from those nasty middle-class comsumers who lose their jobs, whose families break up, and who suffer unforeseen medical emergencies.
Re:Nice (Score:4, Informative)
Don't listen to me, though. Read a recent Canadian article on the subject: Canadian Health Care In Crisis [cbsnews.com].
Re:Nice (Score:3, Informative)
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=1753
"per capita health spending in the U.S. is more than twice as high: $4,000 last year, compared with $1,800 in Canada."
So Canada increases spending on medicare by say C$1Billion....this year.
http://subscript.bna.com/
Re:Nice (Score:3, Informative)
I find a great way to not have to pay for expensive treatment, is to make the patient wait for tests. And wait. And wait. Then the patient dies! Problem solved.
Re:Not Really (Score:3, Funny)
I always keep a few bucks in a jar near my bed for when I run out of chips and soda!
Re:I want to be a Canadian... (Score:5, Funny)
You could be our next Prime Minister.
Re:So I pay a levy to make a copy, but I can't... (Score:3, Informative)
It makes perfect sense, vis:
The concept of "Private Copying" (which is the term used in Canadian Copyright Act C-42 [justice.gc.ca]) is not a copyright infringement. What you want to look at is Part VIII, ss 80, namely: