Canadian Parliament Threatens People For Posting Video Of Proceedings Online

from the how-dare-you-want-transparency dept

Tue, May 12th 2009 2:51am — Mike Masnick

It would appear that the Canadian Parliament is no big fan of transparency. When some activists started posting video and audio of various Parliamentary committee proceedings online, in order to both increase transparency and to comment on those proceedings, lawyers apparently sent them a cease and desist, claiming it was "contempt of Parliament." They've also been sending takedowns to YouTube and other video hosting sites, claiming that this content is somehow proprietary, covered by "crown copyright" (something, thankfully, we don't have in the US) and subject to severe licensing restrictions. While it sounds like some Canadian politicians recognize the need to change, in the meantime, they're making a travesty of any sense of governmental openness.

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Filed Under: canada, crown copyright, openness, parliament, transparency

17 Comments

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Anshar (profile), 12 May 2009 @ 4:18am

The best (read: worst) part of all of this is that the current government was elected on a platform of openness, honesty and transparency in government.

As a Canadian, this makes me sick.
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- ChrisB (profile), 12 May 2009 @ 7:10am
  
  Re:
  Dear Sick:
  
  If you read the article, the committee made a reasonable compromise:
  
  "Reproduction of the proceedings of the House of Commons and its Committees, in whole or in part and in any medium, is hereby permitted provided that the reproduction is accurate and is not presented as official."
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Anonymous Coward, 12 May 2009 @ 4:19am

You mean the US government can't copyright things?
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- BTR1701, 12 May 2009 @ 6:36am
  
  Re: Crown Copyright
  > You mean the US government can't copyright things?
  
  No, the Constitution prohibits the government from owning copyright on any government documents or proceedings.
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  - Vincent Clement, 12 May 2009 @ 10:39am
    
    Re: Re: Crown Copyright
    Yet, somehow the US wants everyone to believe that Canada has weaker IP protection laws. Who has the weaker IP laws?
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    - Washii, 12 May 2009 @ 10:49am
      
      Re: Re: Re: Crown Copyright
      How does that even factor in? It isn't like the governments of Canada and the US are creating multi-billions worth of film and music.
      
      I think it makes sense that stuff paid for through tax dollars can't be copyrighted by the government (Hubble pictues?)
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Anonymous Coward, 12 May 2009 @ 4:30am

Who the fawk cares abuut Canada
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- Chargone, 12 May 2009 @ 5:10am
  
  Re:
  at a guess: Canadians.
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JustMe, 12 May 2009 @ 5:37am

Canada - The 51st state!
I crack myself up
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NullOp, 12 May 2009 @ 6:09am

Oh Dear, Canada
Seems like those rascals have something to hide, eh. Just get 'em all a brew and it'll be OK, eh.
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- Tgeigs, 12 May 2009 @ 6:35am
  
  Re: Oh Dear, Canada
  Well, what would YOU do if the Blackhawks beat your beloved Canucks?
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  - Anon, 12 May 2009 @ 8:29am
    
    Re: Re: Oh Dear, Canada
    Too soon.
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    - Tgeigs, 12 May 2009 @ 11:42am
      
      Re: Re: Re: Oh Dear, Canada
      Sorry, but how often does someone from Chicago actually get to brag about hockey?
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fatcat, 12 May 2009 @ 7:44am

what can the Canadian Parliament do about it, they are after all just Canadians. it's not like their any threat...
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- Kanadanishuck, 12 May 2009 @ 11:39am
  
  Re: fatcat
  JFYI, The Canadian Parliament is the top court in the Great White North, it is superior to and superceeds the Canadian Supreme Court! It can and does have the power to reverse Supreme Court decisions, and can cite citizens for contemp of Parliament. That previous last case was fined and spent 6 months incarcerated, but the most recent case was the RCMP Deputy Comm. Busson, who was cited but left unsanctioned for less than truthful testimony before a House of Commons Committee. She may have suffered some loss of pension and other privileges. Had this not been a minority Parliament, there may have been a different outcome.
  Regards the other commentor's remarks, it would be appropriate they know more of the in depth details and dogma before missing the mark with remarks!
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Vincent Clement, 12 May 2009 @ 10:37am

Mike,

And the US trade representative has the nerve to say that Canada has weaker IP protection than the US. You guys don't even have Crown Copyright. We do ;)
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Steve, 12 May 2009 @ 12:05pm

Ahh Conservatives. Just like Republicans in the States, just a whole lot dumber and that ain't saying' much.
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