Bill on Internet Retransmission Passed

OTTAWA, December 13, 2002 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps and Industry Minister Allan Rock today announced the passage of Bill C-11, an Act to amend the Copyright Act. This Bill is the first in a series of initiatives to update Canada's copyright legislation.

"Canada has just equipped itself with the first copyright law to directly address digital technology," said Minister Copps. "In a context where technology is constantly developing, the Government of Canada is ensuring that copyright legislation promotes the creation and distribution of works in a manner that contributes to enriching the cultural experience of Canadians."

The result of a commitment made by Minister Copps in October 2001 before the Canadian Association of Broadcasters and in response to numerous associations of rights holders, Bill C-11 confirms that cable and satellite retransmitters of broadcasting signals who currently benefit from the compulsory licence regime will continue to do so.

"Now that the Bill has received Royal Assent, we look forward to the CRTC report that will provide clarity on the regulatory environment surrounding Internet retransmission. This is an important step to assist the government in its objective to modernize its intellectual property laws," stated Minister Rock. Bill C-11 also provides the Governor-in-Council with a regulation-making power that could be used to set conditions on Internet retransmitters, should the need arise as a result of the anticipated CRTC report.

Bill C-11 specifies that, according to the current law, retransmitters who use the Internet would not be able to hold a compulsory licence. These retransmitters will have to negotiate copyright with all rights holders in order to obtain authorization to broadcast their works. This clarification will protect the interests of broadcasters and copyright holders in the digital environment.

Information:

Sonya-Kim St-Julien
Office of the Minister of
Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788

Selena Beattie
Office of the Minister
of Industry
(613) 995-9001
or: Media Relations
(613) 943-2502