The federal government is secretly negotiating an agreement to revamp international copyright laws that could make the information on Canadian iPods, laptop computers, mp3 players, iPhones, cell phones and other electronic devices illegal and greatly increase the hassle of traveling anywhere with such devices.
These new laws could also impose strict regulations on ISP’s, forcing those companies to hand over customer information without a court order.
The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), would see Canada join other wing-nut countries, including the United States and members of the European Union, to form an international coalition against copyright infringement.
Right. And who is behind this nonsense? That’s right – formerly unstoppable and now foundering record company multi-nationals like Sony Music. It seems that American Idol is simply not producing enough revenue to buoy their titanic-bound fortunes of old.
This deal would create a international regulator that could turn border guards and other public security personnel into copyright police. These byte police would be in charge of checking your laptop, iPod and even your cellular phone for content that “infringes” on copyright laws; like the video of your son or daughters performance in their school’s production of Oklahoma.
Is it just me, or are you sick and tired of the Canadian government wanting to peep into your bedroom, your kitchen, your financial records and now your personal electronic entertainment devices? Enough already! Enough!
The ACTA document divulges… officials should be given the “authority to take action against law breakers (authority to act without complaint by rights holders).”
Anyone found with infringing content in their possession would be open to a fine or have their devices confiscated or destroyed.
The trade agreement includes “civil enforcement” measures that give security personnel the “authority to order ex parte searches” (without a lawyer present) “and other preliminary measures.”
Have you seen some of the security personnel that work at our airports and border crossings? They are power mad wieners that will go crazy with this new authority.
Currently in Canada, border guards already perform random searches of laptops at airports to check for illegal content. ACTA would expand the role of those guards.