Liam Hrechka

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From: Liam H (Yoyo150)
Sent: March 27, 2021 3:38 PM
To: copyrightconsultation / consultationdroitdauteur (PCH)
Subject: Copyright extension

To whom it may concern,

Firstly, I would like to direct you to chapter 4 of Tom Scott's excellent YouTube video "YouTube's Copyright System Isn't Broken. The World's Is." He is able to put forth a more eloquent and universal argument than myself, as well as back it up with sources.

With that said, it is patently ridiculous that Canada, a sovereign nation with its own legal standards, should be taking marching orders from anyone outside of Canada.

We do not need an extension to our copyright law. It is already extremely generous, if one looks objectively and doesn't make needless comparisons with other countries. Intensive lobbying by media companies have lead to the disgustingly corporatist copyright law in the USA and elsewhere. Canada is under no obligation to bow to such lobbyists, whether directly or through proxy (as is happening currently). An extension of copyright term by 20 years will do nothing but allow a handful of media companies to squeeze out a bit more money from Canadians, while creating two decades of darkness in which no additional works would be added to the public domain.

Does anyone really believe that Canadian artists will decide to not make their art just because copyright is only for 50 years after their death, instead of 70? Likewise, would any media company refuse to release things in Canada simply out of protest that they wouldn't be able to make money off of it after 100+ years? If the answer to these questions is no, then I have to ask what possible benefit is there?

The public domain is precious. It's the work of those that came before us. It's for everyone, it's part of the common heritage of humankind. It's shameful that other nations have decided to not believe in that, but we are a free nation that can make up our own mind about what is right and wrong. What I believe is right, and what I believe the vast majority of Canadians would say is right, is this: No singular human being can lay claim to a work whose author has been dead for two generations, let alone nearly three.

Extending copyright by yet another 20 years is wrong. It does not protect artists, it does not protect Canadian interests, it serves only to line the pockets of a few corporate interests, at the expense of all Canadians.

I implore the government of Canada to make the right decision, and to turn this extension down. Even if that means returning to the negotiating table, this is something Canada should stand up for.

Best regards, Liam Hrechka