Industry Minister Jim Prentice was expected to introduce new Canadian copyright reform legislation yesterday, but instead... didn't. It was a stunning reversal and an unexpected success for a grassroots campaign against the bill, widely expected to mirror the US DMCA. Prentice had previously announced that issues of greatest import to consumers would only be decided by committee after the new copyright bill was passed.

During question period in Parliament yesterday, Prentice faced hostile question from MP Charlie Angus, who charged that the government "has been rolling out the red carpet for corporate lobbyists and the US ambassador" and that the result will be "an unbalanced, one-sided piece of made in the USA copyright legislation." He went on to attack Prentice for "just discovering Facebook this morning" and not having done any "due diligence."

The Facebook crack appears to be a reference to the "Fair Copyright for Canada Facebook group" promoted by Canadian professor Michael Geist. Within days, the group attracted nearly 15,000 signatories who want to see copyright reform that benefits more than just foreign music labels and film companies.



Prentice with daughters

in happier times

In addition, Prentice faced a group of citizens at a Christmas get-together at his local office (see pictures and video from one of the organizers) this weekend, many of them upset about the new legislation. The major Canadian press outlets have also picked up the story, and everyone from the CBC to the National Post to the Globe and Mail are running with it.

It's not clear that Prentice's decision to keep back the bill is related to this storm of opposition; he has yet to offer any reason for the delay. In response to Angus' criticism in Parliament, Prentice simply said that "the bill will not be tabled [introduced] in the House until such time as myself and the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages are satisfied." Which raises the obvious question: Canada has a Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages? Does that even fit on a business card?

Although the bill has been delayed, it could soon be introduced without changes. Michael Geist notes that "even if the delay stretches into 2008, a delayed bill that does not feature a genuine copyright balance is little better than the bill that was to have been unveiled today."

He does note in fairness to Prentice that the Minister has recently backed a courageous spectrum auction plan designed to spur competition in Canada, and might be persuaded to adopt a more consumer-friendly approach to copyright as well, should the government hear from enough people on the issue.