CFTPA Warns Against Targeting P2P in Copyright Reform
The CFTPA submits that it is almost a truism to state that the success of new business models for audiovisual content on the Internet depends on it remaining an open-access platform that is an effective vehicle for the distribution of authorized content. Typically, Peer to Peer (P2P) file sharing has been, and remains, one of the primary vehicles for the distribution of unauthorized audiovisual content. It therefore could be argued that content providers, including Canadian independent producers, would benefit from measures that would have the effect of targeting P2P applications.
The CFTPA notes, however, that P2P file sharing is also being used for the distribution of authorized content on the Internet. Likely the most well-known such example is the CBC's attempted distribution of its Next Great Prime Minister program using Bit Torrent. In addition, a number of independent producers are also using Bit Torrent and similar P2P applications as the primary means for distributing original digital content to their audiences...
The Association therefore considers that amendments to the Copyright Act aimed at reducing the proliferation of unauthorized copyrighted material on the Internet must be fashioned in a manner that deters infringing behaviour without either choking off legitimate forms of content distribution and/or targeting specific applications or protocols.