The Canadian Government Wants to Know How You Think Copyright Should be Reformed

Naveep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister of Canada Heritage, Melanie Joly, made an announcement today (August 9) with the Copyright Board of Canada today. Don’t roll your eyes in boredom. This is important stuff.

There’s a new discussion paper on how the Copyright Board should be reformed for the new digital realities. I quote:

The Copyright Board of Canada establishes royalties for the use of copyrighted content in a broad range of areas where the administration of such copyright is entrusted to a collective management organization. This includes music streaming, the public performance of music, educational copying, and the retransmission of television signals.

Several consultations and recent research have identified the need for timely decisions on the use of copyrighted content, particularly in light of the rapid technological advances.

A government discussion paper presents 13 possible options for legislative and regulatory reforms. The government will also consider any other reform options that would help address the Board’s challenges outlined in the discussion paper.

Notice the bit about royalties and music streaming? Got a beef with the way things are today? Then go here to get the discussion paper and to submit your opinions.