Canada to Track File Swappers

OTTAWA – The Canadian federal government has proposed changes to the country's copyright act that would crackdown on illegal music traders as well as other unauthorized electronic file swappers while providing more protection to recording companies and artists.

The proposed amendments to the Copyright Act are slated to be introduced sometime in June of this year. They include the adoption of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaties designed to criminalize free downloading and to force Internet service providers to monitor customers suspected of swapping copyrighted music, movie and other files.

Although illegal file swapping is roundly acknowledged as one of the most difficult issues of the Internet age in terms of developing government policy and new regulatory statutes, entertainment companies desperately want copyright laws extended into Cyberspace. Canadaian officials said their latest moves attempt to do so while also retaining a balance that allows for the Internet to remain as unregulated as possible.

While it is not currently illegal for Canadians to upload files to peer-to-peer networks such as Kazaa, the new legislation would prohibit the practice and will be the first modifications to Canadian copyright law since 1998, marking a long overdue updating of statutes to meet the evolving demands of the digital age. "We must strengthen the hand of our creators and cultural industries," Heritage Minister Liza Frulla said.

While industry supporters are praising the Canadian initiative, it may be coming at a time when the need for such measures has diminished.

The effectiveness of the Recording Industry Association of America's (RIAA) much-publicized lawsuits against individual file traders along with the rapid growth of authorized download services such as Apple's iTunes program and other factors have resulted in a reported decrease in illegal file trading.

According to an International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) report, "Digital sales rose exponentially, with the total number of tracks downloaded in 2004 (including album tracks) up more than tenfold on 2003, to over 200 million in the four major digital music markets (US, UK, France, Germany). The trend has continued in 2005, with digital sales in the US in the first two months more than double that of the same period in 2004."

The IFPI study credits the rapid growth of iTunes and the increasing market penetration of Apple's iPod MP3 player with the increase in legal downloads, but cautioned that while there has been a decline in illegal music files available on the Internet, there are still an estimated 870 million illegal files online – a situation that the new Canadian laws seek to help redress.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult Industry, Override Possible

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

WannaCollab Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

WannaCollab has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect in South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Show More