Canada's Supreme Court Strikes Down Copyright Fees On Music, Video 58
An anonymous reader writes "Quick submission for all us Canadians: looks like the Supreme Court finally decided to rule on various copyright issues. No more fees to 'preview' a song. Another of these rule changes could save our schools a lot of money: no more fees required to photocopy material for students."
Re:school photocopying? (Score:2, Interesting)
I wasn't aware that a fee had ever been required for photocopying for school work? Isn't that a "fair use"?
My university charges $23.50 per year for an 'Access Copyright Fee'. It's not a huge amount, but it'd be nice if they stopped levying that fee against students. My cynical side guesses that even if they do, other fees will increase by about the same amount.
Might just be me (Score:5, Interesting)
Seems like there has been a trend (oracle vs. google, Apple vs. samsung) of Sudden Outbreaks of Common Sense lately in regards to Copyright/Patent trolling and now Fair Use. Perhaps the legal systems in the EU, US and Canada are beginning to wake up.
Re:Good For You, Canadians (Score:4, Interesting)
I like the idea of Fair Use, but as I understand it, it is only a defense, not a right. As a defense, I don't think it has fared very well in an age where digital media (that is easily copied) has become ubiquitous. It is slowly being eroded by all of these new laws (and attempts at laws) created because of knee-jerk reactions from lawmakers or as a result of lobbying from powerful media groups.
Re:Good For You, Canadians (Score:3, Interesting)
The problem with 'fair use' is that every single case is unique. There is no "well this case is just like this other case, so why are you suing?".
And you have to prove that it is fair use, rather than the company suing you having to prove that it's not.