[starman]

This is from the CANADIAN side of things. You people that say "only in America" need to read this.

Essentially, it's making the information on iPods and laptops illegal.

The federal government is secretly negotiating an agreement to revamp international copyright laws which could make the information on Canadian iPods, laptop computers or other personal electronic devices illegal and greatly increase the difficulty of travelling with such devices.

Copyright deal could toughen rules governing info on iPods, computers

[Dakar the Fourth]

What's the concern here? That illegal bootlegs that anyone can download from the internet might come across the border physically?

[starman]

They said they can confiscate or destroy your device at THEIR discretion, so if you have a RIPPED CD (legal!) on your iPod or laptop, it can get taken from you.

This is complete bullsh*t.

[andi*pandi]

they're going to collect a lot of computers and ipods then. I mean, everyone has a ripped cd on their ipod. it's the whole point.

[starman]

I'd like to know why the BORDER PATROL needs to be checking devices for copyright infringement that can be sent to the cloud and downloaded on the other side. This is silly, but if it goes through, it gives fat guys in uniforms that don't know the difference between ripping something legally or not the power to take your iPhone because of your TuPac ringtone which you legally downloaded.

[sek929]

Oh noes! But I love my Tupac ringtones!

[Dakar the Fourth]

2Pac Biggie 4EVAR

[Eug]

Originally Posted by starman 

This is from the CANADIAN side of things. You people that say "only in America" need to read this.

Essentially, it's making the information on iPods and laptops illegal.

Yes, it's stupid, but I thought it was a multinational stupidity.

Called the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), the new plan would see Canada join other countries, including the United States and members of the European Union, to form an international coalition against copyright infringement.

Furthermore:

In October, International Trade Minister David Emerson announced Canada would participate in ACTA's creation. The initiative was originally aimed at stopping large-scale piracy, such as printing operations that make thousands of copies of movies that are still in theatres.

"We are seeking to counter global piracy and counterfeiting more effectively," said Emerson at the time. "This government is working both at home and internationally to protect the intellectual property rights of Canadian artists, creators, inventors and investors."

The new document is reported to be drafted by the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

[Jawbone54]

Further proof that government types (no matter the country) are complete imbeciles and don't understand digital lifestyles at all.

I'm not really sure what they're trying to accomplish with this. I'm REALLY not sure if they actually think this is doing the world any good at all.

[Dakar the Fourth]

The question is, who pushed for this? Because they obviously have no idea how their stuff is getting pirated, either.

[Railroader]

Do songs purchased from the ITMS appear different than a ripped CD on an iPod?

[Sort of related, but probably derailment] If a police officer pull someone over and sees a case full of obviously ripped CD-Rs full of music, does he write a ticket for copyright infringement?

[starman]

Proposed US ACTA multi-lateral intellectual property trade agreement (2007) - Wikileaks

Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA)[4]

Top four campaign contributions for 2006:
Time Warner $21,000
News Corp $15,000
Sony Corp of America $14,000
Walt Disney Co $13,550
Top two Industries:
TV/Movies/Music $181,050
Lawyers/Law Firms $114,200

[Eug]

OK, so now we can say it then...

Onl... Err... Pioneered in Amrerica!

EDIT:

Heh:

The Ottawa Citizen - Copyright deal

Re: Proposed secret copyright deal takes aim at iPods, providers, May 24.

As a former worker and member of a Riding Board of Directors for the Conservative Party, I feel have to apologize to all Canadians.

The new secret copyright deal clearly shows that this government does not care about personal privacy or about Canadians' right to debate and input their own laws. Instead they have cheerily given in to the unjustified demands of Hollywood and huge music companies.

I will now be donating my time, money and effort to whichever political party speaks loudest against this proposed bill.

Brian Newman,

Ottawa

[t6hawk]

Biggest thing I'm concerned with is the fact they can search any electronic device that can potentially be used to hold a copyrighted item. The delays at the border are already rediculous but imagine if the border security actually went through everyones computer file by file or iPod song by song. That'd take forever and how would they be able to tell / verify if the item is pirated or not especially if someone buys the CD (or from iTMS) and doesn't carry a box of receipts around with them.

Wouldn't this also be considered unlawful search and seizure as well as destruction of personal property if they remove any information?

[turtle777]

Is it possible that they only put this law in effect to be able to successfully and effectively battle REAL copyright infringement cases, like someone trying to cross the border with bootlegs that would be for sale.

I can't imagine they are going to be checking people's individual iPods.
This would be so dumb, even the Americans Candians wouldn't do that.

-t

[Cold Warrior]

Originally Posted by t6hawk 

Wouldn't this also be considered unlawful search and seizure

If you're talking about the US Constitution, then no, it's not considered in violation. Federal courts have upheld that border searches have much greater latitude.

The only thing left somewhat unsettled is whether the US government can force you to turn over your encryption password in order to facilitate their search/seizure of your electronic property at a border crossing. In the UK, I think they have a law on the books already to penalize someone who doesn't turn over their encryption key on request.

What's also interesting is whether - again under US law and the Constitution - turning over encryption keys to unlock information that would implicate yourself in a crime would violate the 5th Amendment: your right against self-incrimination. Giving the government access to such a thing could be construed as self-incrimination.

[turtle777]

Unless you are using some kind of steganography to hide data inside of an encrypted volume.

So basically, if you don't know that it's there, you won't find it.

Truecrypt can do that: TrueCrypt - Free Open-Source On-The-Fly Disk Encryption Software for Windows Vista/XP, Mac OS X and Linux - Hidden Volume

P.s. Yes, I know, this doesn't work for iPods. But it would work for sensible data on a hardrive or USB stick.

-t