Canada’s Jack Layton on file sharing
p2pnet.net News:- It’s said of Canada’s NDP leader Jack Layton that he’s never met a camera or an issue that he doesn’t love.
And now, with Canadian prime minister Paul Martin backing Big Music in its bid to rid the world of p2p file sharing it doesn’t own and/or control, Layton seems to be heading in a pro-p2p direction.
It was the end of Junos week and with friends in the recording business, where does Layton stand on file sharing? – asks a puff-piece on the NDP web site here.
Layton who, as the item points out, enjoys the support of musicians such as the Barenaked Ladies’ Steven Page and Parachute Club founder Lorraine Segato, says, “I’m a holder of a copyright myself. But it’s a book on homelessness and I don’t mind if anyone wants to copy it.”
But seriously, folks, “I’m still not so sure how (file sharing) impacts sales,” he states. “Some studies even say it enhances them. I don’t think the dust has settled on this yet.
“When I was at university there was a great fear that photocopying was going to destroy the publishing industry and that hasn’t happened.
“It’s sometimes best to muddle along, take things one step at a time and see what happens. Society can have a way of sorting things out.”
Now you know.
April 10th, 2004 at 2:49 am
Anyone who wants to fight the shut-down of freedom on the internet and digital media should support Jack Layton. He has a real chance of holding the balance of power in Parliament after the coming election. The main party, the Liberals, will probably have a minority and will have to depend on Layton’s NDP to pass legislation in the House.
If you’re serious about pushing back Big Music’s encroachment on your rights, do whatever you can to get Jack Layton and his party returned with as many seats as possible. Once he holds the balance of power, he’ll reward you, as politicians do, for your help. You might not be in Canada, but look what the Internet did for Howard Dean. Canada’s courts threw out the music industry’s lawyer, help Parliament do the same thing.
–The Canadian Salamander
April 10th, 2004 at 2:57 pm
OK – let’s see a non-wriggle statement from Layton on EXACTLY where he stands on digital media issues. And let’s see it now. Cheers!
April 10th, 2004 at 9:56 pm
Jack:
Don’t go there.
You are doing a terrific job of staying on message with the things that matter most: Jobs, the economy and medical and social care.
G. Cochrane
April 15th, 2004 at 1:30 pm
oh puuuuhleeze *rolls eyes*
reward us? more like forget us. (yes i’m a cynic)
if your serious – write to members of parliament, stand up and be counted, Inspire debate. but to think any political party will reward the people is ludacris.
June 30th, 2004 at 1:46 am
Amazing….what you predicated is now a reality (although the date 19 Jan, 2038 still makes it a prediction
).
But seriously this is great news! Not to mention Heritage Minister Helene Chalifour who had been very vocal against file sharing has lost her seat to Bloc Quebecois candidate Roger Clavet.
Yay for Canada!