Proposed Copyright Exception a Threat to Cultural Work and Freedom of Expression
Oct.10, 2014 – The Writers' Union of Canada (TWUC) is strongly opposed to the federal government's proposed copyright exception for political advertising. The very purpose of copyright and cultural creation is subverted and undermined by such a frivolous exception.
"It is absolutely critical that creators of a work be in the position to grant or deny permission for political uses of that work, in fact all uses of our work, " insists TWUC Chair, Harry Thurston. "This proposed exception to the rights of journalists, broadcasters and all who create cultural content strips working Canadians of our moral right of refusal."
Of particular concern is the widely reported suggestion that a political exception to copyright is required to allow free speech in the political process. TWUC has worked for more than four decades to protect freedom of expression in Canada. Unpermitted access to the work of others is not free speech. There is currently nothing in our copyright law restricting any political party from speaking freely about what an opponent may or may not have said or done.
TWUC believes that allowing unpermitted access to created content amounts to coerced endorsement, therefore limiting the free speech of the original creator.
For additional information:
Harry Thurston
Chair, The Writers’ Union of Canada
chair@writersunion.ca
John Degen, Executive Director
The Writers’ Union of Canada
jdegen@writersunion.ca
416.703.8982 Ext. 221
www.writersunion.ca
