Canadian Copyright Law

To everyone concerned about writers in Canada: please take a few minutes to watch this video from the Writers’ Union of Canada, about Bill C-32.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qrcNksj5DE

If you don’t have time for the video, here is their brief appeal:

I am a writer,

Most Canadian writers earn very modest incomes. Some writers try and get by on less than minimum wage.  Some people say that’s our choice. And it is. But creating is our calling, our vocation.

Just like anyone else, creators need income to survive. Our incomes depend not just on sales. We also depend on income we receive when universities, colleges, schools, corporations and governments make copies of my works for their own use, instead of buying more copies of the original.

Copyright exists to protect creators.  When others use our works, copyright law should ensure the people who worked so hard to produce them are compensated.

Please ensure the voices of Canada’s creators and publishers are heard.

Please work with your colleagues to see that C-32 is amended so that without hardship to consumers, creators suffer no hardship either.

For all Canadian writers,

Maureen