[Hugh Nano]

Here's what I had to say to those responsible...

"As a law-abiding citizen of Canada studying abroad, I am ashamed to find my country raising and expanding a levy that was based on what was a deplorable presupposition to begin with. How can you possibly justify penalizing law-abiding citizens for the law-breakers' crimes? I always thought the basic assumptions in Canadian law were that one is "innocent until proven guilty" and that it is the guilty and not the innocent who should pay pentalties for crimes committed. For shame!

"And, should any elected officials actually care about what I have to say, please note that this immoral and unjustified tax-grab simply reinforces my perception that the current government cares very little for the rights and interests of its private citizens."

[Hugh Nano]

Here's what I had to say to those responsible...

"As a law-abiding citizen of Canada studying abroad, I am ashamed to find my country raising and expanding a levy that was based on what was a deplorable presupposition to begin with. How can you possibly justify penalizing law-abiding citizens for the law-breakers' crimes? I always thought the basic assumptions in Canadian law were that one is "innocent until proven guilty" and that it is the guilty and not the innocent who should pay pentalties for crimes committed. For shame!

"And, should any elected officials actually care about what I have to say, please note that this immoral and unjustified tax-grab simply reinforces my perception that the current government cares very little for the rights and interests of its private citizens."

[Aceze]

Anyone want to guess whether or not the recording industry will stop the levy on using recordable media if their efforts at copywrighting CDs (making them unreadable on PCs, etc) succeed?

Fat chance.

Aceze

ps. I've stopped buying CDs for a few years now. I find it amazing that while manufacturing and technology costs keep going down, the prices of CDs continue to rise. It's not exactly like music is getting any better either (but that's a different discussion...! )

[johnm]

Hmm, glad I don't live there.

I didn't realize it was the governments job to collect revenue for the music industry. You your tax payer dollars are being used to pay for people to collect more taxes from you and then give them to the music industry. Hmmm.

So if I'm an independant musican and I burn my own demo CD to give out the music industry collects a royalty. Nice.

So if the people are basically assumed to be criminals and the government's job is to protect copyright holders at all costs.. then all items that 'could' be used to violate a copyright need to be hit with a tax and the profits given to all potential holders. So if this includes CDs, flash, harddrives etc, it should also include, photocopiers, audio tapes, VHS tapes, scanners, printers etc. Well why stop there, pens and pencils, chalk and paper could be used to illegally copy books. Film could be used to take photos of copyrighted works so throw that in too. Even silly putty could be a violator. What about items used to transport or store illegal copies? Cars, shelves, homes, coat pockets?

Wow, I think it would be cheaper for the government to just require each citizen to install cameras in every room of their house so they could keep an eye on you, and just throw you in jail if you did something wrong.

[Take1]

We've got this Senator called 'Hollings' that would fit right in up where you guys are. We'll send him pronto once you give the word -- we'll pay the airfaire.

[Rob Alexander]

Originally Posted by johnm

Wow, I think it would be cheaper for the government to just require each citizen to install cameras in every room of their house so they could keep an eye on you, and just throw you in jail if you did something wrong.

No need to go to that extreme! The obvious thing to do, following the precident set here, is to require each Canadian citizen to spend one week in jail every year. Naturally, some innocent people will contribute their time to this great cause, but we'll also get those who committed crimes but didn't get caught. Under this system, the total "debt-to-society" paid collectively by all Canadians will correspond much more closely to the penalties due for actual crimes committed. :wink:

[Daniel]

So, pretty soon, all the CDs you buy are going to be copy protected but not only that, when you buy CD-Rs you'll be paying a tax put in place to fight piracy that you probably never commited. This prevents you from doing what is (was?) a legal right, ie. making a copy of the music for your personal use.
I am quite concerned about the direction we're going with copy protection and now taxes. I rip all my music CDs to my HDD so that I can listen to them. What right does anyone have to stop me doing that? I will return any CD that I cannot RIP and I will get a refund.

It's disgusting. But then again, try locking anyone that comes to your country as a refugee in a prison in a desert and claim that everything's ok. "Welcome to Australia" land of the paranoid bigot, home of the luddite rednecks. Allegedly the "White Australia" policy was ditched in the 50s...

Daniel

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by Daniel

I rip all my music CDs to my HDD so that I can listen to them. What right does anyone have to stop me doing that? I will return any CD that I cannot RIP and I will get a refund.

I'm with you! I do the same thing - I very rarely listen to the physical disc. The first time I buy a CD that I can't rip, things are going to get very interesting...I'll likely buy 30 of them, open them all, then return them just to prove a point. :twisted:

[Daniel]

Hey, that sounds like a great idea. Just keep going into the music store saying "I couldn't use that disc" return it and then buy the same one. :twisted: That would be hilarious.
I have to say the RIAA (and obviously the Canadian equivalent) are up there with M$ in the evil stakes these days. They don't seem to be caring about people anymore. Damn, do I ever sound like some old guy!
I don't really use my CDs either, they're stored away so that they don't get all scratched up. Stops me having to buy another one. Hey come to think of it, maybe thats why record companies don't want us to back them up/rip them, loss of revenue stream!

Daniel

[iPAUL]

Once again we bend over and take one for our country. :roll:

Whatever.

It really is a great country to live in (if you can afford it)

[Jason Dunn]

You can read the official proposal here:
http://www.cb-cda.gc.ca/tariffs/prop...09032002-b.pdf

If you want to make your voice matter, here's what you need to do:

Send an email and/or write a letter to:

CLAUDE MAJEAU
Secretary General
56 Sparks Street, Suite 800
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0C9
(613) 952-8621 (Telephone)
(613) 952-8630 (Facsimile)
majeau.claude@cb-cda.gc.ca (Electronic mail)

"Objections must briefly state the reasons therefor, and must in-
dicate the name, address, telephone number, facsimile number
and electronic mail address of the objector. The objection must
also contain the following declarations:

I intend to participate actively to the process leading to the cer-
tification of the private copying tariff. Consequently, this con-
stitutes my formal objection to the proposed statement filed by
CPCC.

I have read the information set out in the Board™s notice pub-
lished in the Canada Gazette on March 9, 2002 with CPCC™s
proposed statement. I understand the duties that I undertake as
an objector and intend to abide by them."

I want to see this bill turned to dust - start emailing!