The USA has handled the transition from old media to new digital media about as badly as possibly.

Right wing politicians there are easily easily bought off by lobbyists of the status quo industries. In the past they were bought off by tobacco lobbyists. Now TelCo lobbyists.

Canada has had a surprisingly enlightened and forward thinking environment. Until now. Harper’s Conservatives look to be joining the coalition of the willing to war.

Industry Canada says we’ll have a new Copyright bill by Christmas. Any day now, Industry Minister Jim Prentice will rise in the House of Commons and present the new legislation.

Based on the Ministry’s hints about the bill to date, and on Stephen Harper’s recent throne speech, digital rights watchers are fearing the worst. Here’s what they’re predicting:

* “(It will) put digital locks on our computers, cellphones, iPods, other gadgets and tools and, ultimately, our culture” -Copyright lawyer Howard Knopf

* “There is every indication this legislation will be a complete sell-out to U.S. government and lobbyist demands.”
-Internet law Professor Michael Geist …

Search Engine | CBC Radio | Last chance to ask the Industry Minister about your copy rights.

It’s obvious to anyone who thinks about it for more than 2 minutes that a lock down strategy is doomed to failure.

It means prolonging a shadow economy. Turning potential customers into pirates.

Sad.