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- For Immediate Release-
Facebook Reversal Demonstrates that Users and Public
Care about Rules in Digital World
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“The recent corporate reversal of rules on copyright ownership on Facebook demonstrates that the public really cares about regulations for the digital world,” said CLA President, Ken Roberts. “Politicians absolutely need to hear the public’s concerns about any future copyright terms.”
As a social networking site, Facebook allows individuals to share with others, and connect with those around them in a digital environment. CLA urges the government to address the copyright implications of the Internet and digital content with a balanced and thoughtful public policy based approach that upholds and protects Canadian values and culture. Technology and the content provision industries are rapidly evolving and legislative attempts to force existing business models on Canadians by placing constraints on technology are wrong.
CLA has long advocated for pending copyright legislation changes to better reflect the public interest. “Copyright is no longer a dry academic issue,” added Roberts. “Canadians really care about copyright policy and are passionate about making sure that there are rules that promote access to knowledge for society as a whole.”
Facebook users played a major role in demonstrating that Canadians opposed overly restrictive copyright laws during the last Parliament, when over 40,000 Canadians joined a Facebook Copyright Group almost overnight. It is ironic that Facebook users have once again demonstrated public concern over digital rights.
The government is now dealing with issues which impinge on a majority of Canadians in their homes, workplaces, libraries and classrooms. Given the complexities, reach and interrelatedness of copyright issues, the government needs to engage all stakeholders in a broad reaching consultation about what copyright needs to be in the 21st Century.
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The Canadian Library Association/Association canadienne des bibliothèques (CLA) is Canada’s largest national and broad-based library association, representing the interests of public, academic, school and special libraries, professional librarians and library workers, and all those concerned about enhancing the quality of life of Canadians through information and literacy.
For more information, please contact
Ken Roberts, CLA President and Chief Librarian,
CLA Public Affairs Office contact
information: