U.S. Labels Canada a Piracy Haven

[nsane.forums]

The United States Trade Representative has once again labeled Canada as a piracy haven.

In its yearly report on countries that are not doing enough to protect the U.S. copyright industry, Canada is listed on the Priority Watch List with China, Russia, Ukraine and a handful of other countries.

The Special 301 Report reads:

“Canada remains on the Priority Watch List in 2012, subject to review if Canada enacts long-awaited copyright legislation. The Government of Canada has given priority to that legislation. The United States welcomes that prioritization and looks forward to studying the legislation once it is finalized, and will consider, among other things, whether it fully implements the WIPO Internet Treaties, and whether it fully addresses the challenges of piracy over the Internet.”

Other countries are more lucky.

Spain, for example, has been taken off the list after it implemented a harsher copyright law. Last December the US ambassador threatened to put Spain on a trade blacklist if the country failed to pass a SOPA-style site blocking law.

Weeks later the new law passed.

Critics of the yearly “shame” report note that the Trade Representative is not balanced, and that the report is a pressure tool to further the interests of a few big media companies.

“Once again the U.S. Trade Representative has produced a fact-free report that ignored any point of view except that of big media companies,” says Rashmi Rangnath, director of Public Knowledge’s Global Knowledge Initiative

We are distressed that countries which have yet to pass harsh legislation being pushed around the world remain on the watch lists, while countries which give in to U.S. pressure, such as Spain, are removed when they pass punitive legislation,” he adds.

View: Original Article

[Adrean]

one thing is for sure - we are not going to standby watching our rights taken away from us.

watchout neighbour. ^_^

[Nemesis]

even though we are bigger, and on top, we still bend over for the US. id like to see the US put trade sanctions on us though ;)

[Psycho-gHo]

I am not sure how much of a "haven" we really, but I believe its just an excuse to take the focus off of them while they pass CISPA under the American noses.

They, the USA, are still the number one "haven" of pirates and piracy on this side of the ocean.

[Alanon]

Oooooooooh. what ever shall Canada do???? Should she tremble before the great American purge?

Hell, hope you guys continue with a renewed zeal for piracy. And screw the trade agreements. Canada has enough natural resources to survive without any import (a most useful benefit, one which may even help local economy!).

Dumbass trade rap. -.-

[Nemesis]

Oooooooooh. what ever shall Canada do???? Should she tremble before the great American purge?

Hell, hope you guys continue with a renewed zeal for piracy. And screw the trade agreements. Canada has enough natural resources to survive without any import (a most useful benefit, one which may even help local economy!).

Dumbass trade rap. -.-

yup, oil and lumber gets exported in raw form to the US, and the refined product gets imported back with huge mark-up. make any sense to you?

now back on topic.

why should Canada care about US companies? i don't think the US would pass laws to protect the Canadian private sector... that is essentially what they are asking. All the big movie production companies are US AFAIK.

[Avitar]

I think canada should flex its muscle in response to these threats. Other countries should do the same. Cripple the US and bring it to its knees...

[Nemesis]

I think canada should flex its muscle in response to these threats. Other countries should do the same. Cripple the US and bring it to its knees...

yea but that will never happen.