A View on View :: Canada's Still a P2P Banana Republic

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Canada's Still a P2P Banana Republic

by Mark Evans on Thu 19 May 2005 01:36 PM EDT | Permanent Link

Canadians can still download free music without the fear of being sued after a Federal Court of Appeal upheld a lower court ruling that ISPs don't have to disclose the names of their customers. As a result, the music industry has no way to legally pursue people who download free music - at least for the time being. This means the music industry must continue its efforts to have the federal government change the copyright laws. Given the Liberal Party is desperately trying to stay in power, this will likely be a low priority. So if you live north of the border and have no qualms about downloading music for free, fire up Kazaa and go crazy. Of course, you can only download music; you can't share it otherwise that's breaking the law. Make of that what you will. Addendum: I may have been off the mark in my take on the Federal Court decision. While the music industry's appeal was denied, it looks like the court said the identify of downloaders can be disclosed if the music industry moves quickly and shows the court the information is fresh and relevant.

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Re: Canada's Still a P2P Banana Republic

by Anonymous on Thu 19 May 2005 04:30 PM EDT | Permanent Link

The post says "You can only download music; you can't share it..." but this applies not only to music it applies to movies, tv shows, etc., does it not?

Re: Re: Canada's Still a P2P Banana Republic

by Mark Evans on Thu 19 May 2005 04:42 PM EDT | Profile | Permanent Link

yes, i believe you're right - although the federal court's decision could change the "rules".

Re: Re: Re: Canada's Still a P2P Banana Republic

by Anonymous on Tue 24 May 2005 05:48 PM EDT | Permanent Link

But anything you download because others share it to you ! Right?
Can you download music and movies from anywhere which do not share it to you?

Re: Re: Re: Re: Canada's Still a P2P Banana Republic

by Mark Evans on Tue 24 May 2005 09:41 PM EDT | Profile | Permanent Link

according to the lower court ruling, you could download but you couldn't share. the new ruling, however, suggests downloanding infringes on copyright. it also provides guidance for the music industry to get court approval for ISPs to reveal the identity of downloaders.

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