Canada Cautious on Implementation of WIPO Internet Treaties

In a letter dated November 6, 2003 from Canada's Minister of Industry, Allan Rock, to a Parliamentary Committee, the Minister expressed the need for caution on Canadian ratification of the 1996 World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Internet Treaties. The treaties, the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, cover a number of topics, including key digital rights management issues such as the prohibition of copyright anti-circumvention measures and a new right of making available a work to the public via the Internet.   While the Minister reaffirmed his commitment, in principle, to implementing the treaties, he reiterated the need to approach legislative change in a "balanced, step-by-step manner".   To date, 42 countries have signed both WIPO Internet treaties. In the summer of 2001, Canada began to consider the implementation of the treaties, as well as the possibility of a limitation-of-liability structure similar to the one found in the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act.   In October 2002, those consultations produced the report entitled "Supporting Culture and Innovation: Report on the Provisions and Operation of the Copyright Act", a report which highlighted areas for future copyright reform and expressed the need for a methodical approach to legislative change. To view the Minister of Industry's letter, see: http://makeashorterlink.com/?F63823896. To view the Canadian government report entitled "Supporting Culture and Innovation: Report on the Provisions and Operation of the Copyright Act", see: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/pics/rp/section92eng.pdf. To view the WIPO Copyright Treaty, see: http://www.wipo.int/clea/docs/en/wo/wo033en.htm. To view the list of signatories, see: http://www.wipo.int/treaties/documents/english/pdf/s-wct.pdf. To view the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, see: http://www.wipo.int/clea/docs/en/wo/wo034en.htm. To view the list of signatories, see: http://www.wipo.int/treaties/documents/english/pdf/s-wppt.pdf. Summary by:   Colin Adams