TORONTO – Given that Bill C-60 was created to protect its members, SOCAN said today it’s happy with the bill to amend the Copyright Act.
"Bill C-60 speaks volumes to our members," said André LeBel, CEO of SOCAN (the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada), in today’s press release. "It’s a great first step, and we are pleased the federal government has acknowledged the challenges we face in continuing to protect the rights of composers, lyricists, songwriters, and their publishers."
SOCAN said it is encouraged that the latest developments further clarify the rights of its members, and will be reviewing the proposed legislation in detail, but upon a cursory review, is pleased that the law will:
* Clarify the existing communication right to include a "making available" right for the owners of copyright-protected works
* Create remedies, in certain cases, for copyright owners against those who circumvent, remove or in any way render ineffective technological measures that protect copyright
* Create remedies, in certain cases, for copyright owners against those who alter or remove rights management information (RMI) that is part of copyright
As reported by www.cartt.ca earlier, it also clarifies the role of ISPs when it comes to copyrighted work, in that ISPs can not be held liable for such work when transmitted on their networks without permission from the owner/creator.
However, SOCAN is taking a deep look at that part of the bill. “The proposal also deals with the issue of Internet Service Provider (ISP) liability. SOCAN is studying these provisions to consider their impact as it relates to the use of music on the Internet. SOCAN is hopeful these proposals, along with future work, will permit the implementation of the 1996 World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaties.
