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Liberals Stake Out Positions on Bill C-32

By Michael Geist

In the aftermath of the "No iPod Tax" event earlier this week, the Liberals have come forward this morning with specific positions on Bill C-32.  The announcement is welcome since it helps clarify where the party stands and specifically where compromise is needed if the bill is to be passed.  The key positions:

• Oppose the extension of the private copying levy to iPods.  Given their desire to find an alternative, they are proposing the creation of a new fund to compensate artists for losses incurred due to "uncompensated" downloads.  Funding would come out of general revenues - not from a new levy scheme on devices or ISPs. 
• Support extending fair dealing to education, but will seek clarification on the scope of education and the inclusion of a test to determine what constitutes "fairness"
• Support reforms to the digital lock provisions so that consumers will have the right to circumvent for personal uses
  
• Support retention of the mashup provision with tightened language
  
• Support the creation of a new resale right for artists
• Remove the ephemeral provision to retain payments by broadcasters
  

Earlier this fall, I wrote a piece outlining where I thought compromise positions on Bill C-32 might lie.  I argued for reforms to the digital lock provisions, for the inclusion of a test on fairness within fair dealing, and for the use of guaranteed funding programs in lieu of new levies.

Full post as published by Michael Geist on December 16, 2010 (boomark / email).