Copyright Bill Hurts Education and Research

The group representing Canada’s academic community says the federal government’s new copyright legislation will restrict teachers’ and students’ access to electronic documents and on-line material.

“We are deeply disappointed that the Harper government caved in to the demands of the American entertainment industry and is limiting the rights of Canadians to access information and entertainment,” said James Turk, executive director of the Canadian Association of University Teachers.

CAUT is particularly concerned that the draft legislation will make it more difficult for university and college teachers and students to have access to learning materials. For example, the bill prohibits the circumvention of digital encryption – any device or technology that prevents copying. This means material that can be copied now if in a paper format, cannot be copied for any reason, including educational or research purposes, if it is in electronic format and digitally encrypted.

“In prohibiting all circumvention, the proposed legislation will lock down a vast amount of digital material, preventing its use for research, education and innovation,” said Turk.

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