

Currently released so far... 12553 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
APECO
ASEC
AMGT
AFIN
APER
ACABQ
AORC
AEMR
AF
AE
AR
AGMT
AU
AY
ABLD
AS
AG
AJ
APCS
AX
AM
AMEX
ATRN
ADM
AMED
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AL
ASUP
AND
ARM
ASEAN
AFFAIRS
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AODE
APEC
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AO
ABUD
AC
ADPM
ADCO
ASIG
ARF
AUC
ASEX
AGAO
AA
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AIT
AADP
ASCH
AORL
AROC
ACOA
ANET
AID
AMCHAMS
AINF
AMG
AFU
AN
ALOW
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ACS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AGR
BEXP
BR
BM
BG
BL
BA
BTIO
BO
BP
BC
BILAT
BK
BU
BD
BRUSSELS
BB
BF
BBSR
BIDEN
BX
BE
BH
BT
BY
BMGT
BWC
BTIU
BN
CA
CASC
CFED
CO
CH
CS
CU
CE
CI
CM
CMGT
CJAN
COM
CG
CIS
CVIS
CR
CKGR
CHR
CVR
COUNTER
CIA
CLINTON
CY
CPAS
CD
CBW
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CDG
CW
CODEL
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
COE
CN
CARICOM
CB
CONDOLEEZZA
CWC
CACS
CSW
CIDA
CIC
CITT
CONS
CL
CACM
CDB
CDC
CAN
CF
CJUS
CTM
CBSA
CARSON
CT
CLMT
CBC
CEUDA
CV
COPUOS
CTR
CROS
CAPC
CAC
CNARC
CICTE
CBE
ECON
ETRD
EIND
ENRG
EC
ELAB
EAGR
EAID
EFIS
EFIN
EINV
EUN
EG
EPET
EAIR
EU
ELTN
EWWT
ECIN
ERD
EI
ETTC
EUR
EN
EZ
ETC
ENVI
EMIN
ET
ENVR
ER
ECPS
EINT
EAP
ES
ENIV
ECONOMY
EXTERNAL
EINN
EFTA
ECONOMIC
EPA
EXBS
ECA
ELN
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENGR
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
ELECTIONS
EIAR
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
ENERG
EFIM
EAIDS
EK
ETRDECONWTOCS
EINVETC
ECONCS
EUNCH
ESA
ECINECONCS
EUREM
ESENV
EFINECONCS
ETRC
ENNP
EAIG
EXIM
EEPET
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
ERNG
ETRO
ETRN
EINVEFIN
ICTY
IN
IS
IR
IC
IZ
IA
INTERPOL
IAEA
IT
IMO
IO
IV
ID
IRAQI
IEA
INRB
IL
IWC
ITU
ICAO
ISRAELI
ICRC
IIP
IMF
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
ILO
IPR
IQ
IRS
IAHRC
IZPREL
IRAJ
IDP
ILC
ITF
ICJ
IF
ITPHUM
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
IACI
IBET
ITRA
INR
IRC
IDA
ICTR
IGAD
INRA
INRO
IEFIN
INTELSAT
INTERNAL
INDO
ITPGOV
KWMN
KSCA
KDEM
KTFN
KIPR
KCRM
KPAL
KE
KPAO
KPKO
KS
KN
KISL
KFRD
KJUS
KIRF
KFLO
KG
KTIP
KTER
KRCM
KTIA
KGHG
KIRC
KU
KPRP
KMCA
KMPI
KSEO
KNNP
KZ
KNEI
KCOR
KOMC
KCFC
KSTC
KMDR
KFLU
KSAF
KSEP
KSAC
KR
KGIC
KSUM
KWBG
KCIP
KDRG
KOLY
KAWC
KCHG
KHDP
KRVC
KBIO
KAWK
KGCC
KHLS
KBCT
KPLS
KREL
KCFE
KMFO
KV
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KVPR
KTDB
KSPR
KIDE
KVRP
KTEX
KBTR
KTRD
KICC
KCOM
KO
KLIG
KDEMAF
KMRS
KRAD
KOCI
KSTH
KUNR
KNSD
KGIT
KFSC
KHIV
KPAI
KICA
KACT
KHUM
KREC
KSEC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCMR
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KNAR
KNUC
KPWR
KENV
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KPRV
KOM
KBTS
KCRS
KNPP
KWNM
KRFD
KVIR
KTBT
KAID
KRIM
KDDG
KRGY
KHSA
KWMM
KMOC
KSCI
KPAK
KX
KPAONZ
KCGC
KID
KPOA
KIFR
KFIN
KWAC
KOMS
KCRCM
KNUP
KMIG
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KJUST
MOPS
MARR
MASS
MNUC
MX
MCAP
MO
MR
MI
MD
MK
MA
MP
MY
MTCRE
MOPPS
MASC
MIL
MTS
MLS
MILI
MAR
MU
MEPN
MAPP
MTCR
MEPI
MZ
MEETINGS
MG
MW
MAS
MT
MCC
MIK
ML
MARAD
MV
MERCOSUR
MTRE
MPOS
MEPP
MILITARY
MDC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MRCRE
MAPS
MEDIA
MASSMNUC
MC
NZ
NZUS
NL
NU
NATO
NP
NO
NIPP
NE
NH
NR
NA
NPT
NI
NSF
NG
NSG
NAFTA
NC
NDP
NEW
NRR
NATIONAL
NT
NS
NASA
NAR
NV
NORAD
NSSP
NK
NPA
NGO
NSC
NATOPREL
NW
NPG
NSFO
OPDC
OTRA
OIIP
OREP
OVIP
OSCE
OEXC
OIE
OPRC
OAS
OPIC
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFFICIALS
OECD
OSCI
OBSP
OFDA
OPCW
ODIP
OFDP
OES
OPAD
OCII
OHUM
OVP
ON
OIC
OCS
PHUM
PREL
PGOV
PINR
PTER
PARM
PREF
PM
PE
PINS
PK
PHSA
PBTS
PRGOV
PA
PORG
PP
PS
PGOF
PL
PO
PARMS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PAK
POL
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PBIO
PINF
PNG
PMIL
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PAO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PTBS
PCUL
PROP
PNAT
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PROG
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
PGOC
PY
PCI
PLN
PDOV
PREO
PGIV
PHUH
PAS
PU
POGOV
PF
PINL
POV
PAHO
PRL
PG
PRAM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLICY
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGGV
PHUS
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PEL
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PBT
PTERE
RS
RU
RW
RM
RO
RP
REGION
RSP
RF
RICE
RCMP
RFE
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
RUPREL
RELATIONS
ROOD
REACTION
RSO
REPORT
SENV
SNAR
SCUL
SR
SC
SOCI
SMIG
SI
SP
SU
SO
SW
SY
SA
SZ
SAN
SF
SN
STEINBERG
SG
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SAARC
SL
SEVN
SARS
SIPRS
SHUM
SANC
SWE
SHI
SYR
SNARCS
SPCE
SYRIA
SEN
SH
SCRS
SENVKGHG
TRGY
TSPL
TPHY
TSPA
TBIO
TI
TW
THPY
TX
TU
TS
TZ
TC
TH
TT
TIP
TO
TERRORISM
TRSY
TINT
TN
TURKEY
TBID
TL
TV
TNGD
TD
TF
TP
TFIN
TAGS
TK
TR
UNSC
UK
UNGA
UN
US
UNHRC
UG
UP
UNMIK
UNHCR
UE
USTR
UNVIE
UAE
UZ
UY
UNO
UNESCO
USEU
USOAS
UV
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNEP
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNDP
UNPUOS
UNC
UNAUS
USUN
UNCHC
UNCHR
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCSD
UNDC
USNC
USPS
USAID
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 06OTTAWA3179, SPECIAL 301 OUT-OF-CYCLE REVIEW: EMBASSY VIEWS ON
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06OTTAWA3179.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
06OTTAWA3179 | 2006-10-20 20:26 | 2011-04-28 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Ottawa |
VZCZCXRO6273
PP RUEHGA RUEHHA RUEHQU RUEHVC
DE RUEHOT #3179/01 2932026
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 202026Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4180
INFO RUCNCAN/ALL CANADIAN POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 OTTAWA 003179
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
PASS TO USTR FOR GROVES, COLLEY, BAE, GARDE
STATE FOR EB/TPP/IPE JENNIFER BOGER
USDOC FOR CATHERINE PETERS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CA ECON ETRD KIPR
SUBJECT: SPECIAL 301 OUT-OF-CYCLE REVIEW: EMBASSY VIEWS ON
IPR SITUATION IN CANADA
REF: A. STATE 149667
¶B. OTTAWA 3171
¶C. MONTREAL 365
¶D. MONTREAL 436
¶1. (sbu) Summary: Canada is starting to take important steps
toward improving protection for intellectual property rights
since USTR kept Canada on the "Special 301" Watch List in
April 2006. The new Conservative government is more
receptive than its predecessor to U.S. concerns and on
October 18 published new data protection regulations for
pharmaceuticals, an action long advocated by the USG. The
Canadian government is also preparing to introduce new
copyright legislation designed to implement the WIPO Internet
Treaties and address other IPR concerns. Cabinet secrecy
rules prohibit GOC officials from discussing details in the
legislation, but the bill is expected to be introduced in
Parliament later in the fall. In addition, a Canadian
interagency task force continues to examine international
"best practices" for improving border enforcement against
pirated / counterfeit goods. GOC officials stated that
granting "ex officio" powers to border agents will likely be
a key request of the task force. Canadian officials,
however, are reluctant to make the act of camcording in movie
theaters a criminal offense, which motion picture
distributors seek to deal with a rapidly growing problem that
is causing considerable revenue loss. End Summary
¶2. (sbu) In April 2006, USTR retained Canada on the "Special
301" Watch List, and announced an Out-of-Cycle Review in the
fall to monitor Canada,s progress in providing adequate and
effective protection of intellectual property rights. USTR
noted that the USG would look to the Government of Canada to:
-- ratify and implement the World Intellectual Property
Organization Copyright Treaty and the World Intellectual
Property Organization Performances and Phonograms Treaty
(WIPO Treaties);
-- amend Canada,s copyright law to provide adequate and
effective protection of copyrighted works in the digital
environment; and
-- enact legislation to protect against unfair commercial use
of undisclosed testing and other data submitted by
pharmaceutical companies seeking marketing approval for their
products.
USTR also called on Canada to improve its weak border
enforcement measures, in part by granting customs officers
the authority to seize products suspected of being pirated or
counterfeit without the need of a court order.
Post Views: Out of Cycle Review of Canada
-----------------------------------------
¶3. (sbu) Since April, Canada,s new government has started to
take important steps aimed at improving intellectual rights
protection on three principal fronts: data protection for
pharmaceuticals, new copyright legislation, and improving
border enforcement. In a significant action, the GOC
published new data protection measures for pharmaceuticals in
the Canada Gazette Part II on October 18, a step that the USG
has long advocated. Progress in other IPR areas has been
less public.
Data Protection Measures Published
----------------------------------
¶4. (sbu) The GOC published new data protection measures for
pharmaceuticals in the Canada Gazette Part II on October 18.
Canadian officials state that the regulations will protect
new and innovative drugs, ensure that generic pharmaceuticals
come into the market with a greater certainty, and improve
Canada,s international competitiveness - while providing
QCanada,s international competitiveness - while providing
opportunities for U.S. companies to enter the Canadian
market. GOC officials tell us that new chemical entities
("innovative drugs" containing an ingredient not previously
introduced in Canada or a variation of a previously
ingredient) will enjoy eight years of data exclusivity, and
that filings for generic drugs will be prohibited for six
years (with an additional six months exclusivity for
pediatric studies). New dosage formulations, changes in drug
use, and changes in dosages are to be protected under the
proposed regulations
OTTAWA 00003179 002 OF 003
The data protection regulations can be found at:
http://canadagazette.gc.ca/index-e.html
Copyright Legislation Being Drafted
-----------------------------------
¶5. (sbu) The GOC is preparing copyright legislation expected
to be introduced in Parliament later this fall. Canadian
Heritage and Industry Canada officials representing the two
ministries responsible for drafting the copyright bill
decline to discuss details of the legislation because of
strict Cabinet secrecy rules - but tell us that USG views are
well known. These were recently outlined to the GOC in a
bilateral meeting in Ottawa on October 5 (ref B). On October
11, USTR Schwab sent a letter to Industry Minister Maxime
Bernier to reiterate the USG's specific interests in the
pending copyright legislation. Copies of the letter were
also delivered to Canadian Heritage Minister Beverley Oda and
Trade Minister David Emerson.
¶6. (sbu) Canadian Heritage Minister Oda and Industry Minister
Bernier have stated that WIPO implementation is a priority,
and GOC officials intimate that the new legislation will be
stronger than C-60, the previous government,s attempt to
update Canada,s copyright regime, which failed to pass
Parliament prior to the January 2006 election. For their
part, Canadian Heritage officials admit that C-60 had been
weak regarding circumvention devices, and note that Oda wants
the new copyright bill to meet international standards.
(Comment: Bill C-60 contained serious flaws including
overly-broad ISP liability exceptions, a lack of ISP
notice-and-takedown requirements, and weak or nonexistent
deterrents against circumvention. End comment)
¶7. (sbu) GOC officials have been even less forthcoming on
plans regarding Internet Service Provider (ISP) liability,
but tell us that they are well aware of the USG,s preference
for a "notice and takedown" model. Officials suggest that a
"notice and notice" system would be acceptable to domestic
stakeholders.
Border Enforcement Improvements Still Being Studied
--------------------------------------------- ------
¶8. (sbu) A Canadian interagency group continues to examine
"best practices" and regulations to improve border
enforcement. GOC officials are vague when formal
recommendations will be made to Cabinet, but say the work of
the group is "far advanced." GOC officials acknowledge that
Canada is the only G-7 country yet to update its border
enforcement regime, and appear to recognize that border
officials should receive "ex officio" powers to seize
suspected counterfeit / pirated goods. Officials also
acknowledge that current arrangements between customs
officials and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for
seizing illegal goods are cumbersome. However, law
enforcement officials in some parts of Canada are
occasionally willing to investigate and shut down illegal DVD
operations, such as occurred in August in Toronto where local
police arrested four individuals, seized over 140 DVD
burners, and confiscated more than 20,000 counterfeit movie
DVDs.
Reluctance to Move on Camcording
--------------------------------
¶9. (sbu) GOC officials question industry estimates about the
extent of DVD piracy sourced from camcording in Canadian
movie theaters, and are reluctant to make the act of
camcording in theaters a criminal offense. (Canada,s
Department of Justice considers camcording with an intent to
distribute to be a criminal offense under Section 402 of the
Qdistribute to be a criminal offense under Section 402 of the
Copyright Act, but proving intent is often prohibitively
difficult for prosecutors.) GOC officials also state that
Canada,s law regarding camcording is modeled on
international obligations requiring enforcement against
"willful commercial piracy" (i.e., willful infringement for
commercial purpose), and that the WTO TRIPs Agreement does
not require camcording to be a criminal offense. Canadian
DOJ officials also state that local police officers are
generally not interested in taking action against individuals
using camcorders in movie theaters. Official also suggest
the motion picture industry should provide more reliable
figures on camcording to back allegations that legislation is
needed to combat the problem.
OTTAWA 00003179 003 OF 003
¶10. (sbu) The Canadian Motion Picture Distributors
Association believes that close to 75 percent of all films
illegally camcorded in Canada are recorded in theaters in and
around Montreal, which was recently identified as the topcity
in the world for surreptitious camcording (ref C). The
industry believes that this is a rapidly growing problem that
is causing a considerable loss in revenue. It has also
traced pirated DVDs to copies first recorded in theaters in
Ontario, Nova Scotia, Alberta, and British Columbia.
Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa
WILKINS