Copyright Lobbyists Again Demand That The US Classify Canada As Being A Piracy Hotbed

from the blame-canada dept

Every year, the entertainment industry comes out with some ridiculous report about how Canada is a hotbed of piracy, on par with places like China and Russia. Every year the report asks the US Trade Representative to classify Canada as being on the "Priority Watch List." And, once again, it's that time... the International Intellectual Property Assn., a copyright lobbying group, has again complained about rampant Canadian piracy. In the past, Michael Geist has shown in great detail how silly these claims are. This year, it's gotten so ridiculous that he barely has anything to say at all, but instead simply points back to his responses from the past few years. In the past, the USTR has refused to go along with the IIPA's demands. Let's hope that this doesn't change with the new administration -- who, so far, has appeared much more willing to listen to Hollywood's friends. The only potential good news is that Obama's first choice for USTR (currently representing Hollywood in Congress -- literally) backed away from the job after fearing that "trade" wasn't a priority to this administration. Just imagine what would have happened if he had taken the job.
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Filed Under: canada, intellectual property, lobbyists
Companies: iipa


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  1. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 17 Feb 2009 @ 6:55pm

    I hereby classify the copyright lobbyists as being a hotbed of piracy

    link to this | view in thread ]

  2. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 17 Feb 2009 @ 7:04pm

    Re:

    I hereby classify the copyright lobbyists as being a hotbed of polluticians

    link to this | view in thread ]

  3. identicon
    Matt, 17 Feb 2009 @ 7:13pm

    Idiots

    This is stupid. What does one have to fear when being on this "Priority Watch List?" This reminds me of elementary school when one of the teachers would put us on a "star list."

    "Mrs. So-and-so, what happens when we're on the star list?"
    "Oh, nothing really. You are just on the list and can feel good about yourself."

    Watch out Canada! We're going to put you on our freaking list. Only coal for Christmas this year.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  4. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 17 Feb 2009 @ 7:48pm

    Look Out - Soon You'll be on

    Double Secret Probation

    link to this | view in thread ]

  5. identicon
    Cheese McBeese, 17 Feb 2009 @ 10:34pm

    Blame Canada!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  6. identicon
    Lawrence D'Oliveiro, 18 Feb 2009 @ 12:14am

    Regime Change is Called For

    We need to root out the weapons of mass camcording! And bring the benefits of freedom and democracy to these godless heathens.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  7. icon
    chris (profile), 18 Feb 2009 @ 5:57am

    take that canada!

    i hope you are happy canada because you have no one to blame but yourself.

    you are reaping the harvest that is your destruction which you have sown with your blue money and your bagged milk.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  8. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2009 @ 6:27pm

    Here's why: We are a hotbed of piracy! Everyone I know downloads everything... But we still go watch all the imaxes! At least someone knows how to give us a good experience!

    link to this | view in thread ]


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