Way back in 2008, the Conservative government introduced Bill C-61, amendments to Canada's Copyright Act (fyi - the bill died on the order paper at the dissolution of Parliament when the government called an election). The proposed amendments included provisions relating to the private use of copyrighted materials that allowed individuals to copy a legally acquired sound recording to an MP3 player (or the like) and a computer. The bill, however, also contained an anti-circumvention clause that would make it illegal for a person to bypass or remove a technical measure that controls access to or the ability to reproduce, display, or perform a work.

Discuss the following:

a. What is the effect of the digital lock provisions?

b. Do you think the proposal strikes the right balance between the interests of consumers and the interests of creators?