Canada Introduces Copyright Reform Bill

NEW YORK - The Canadian government introduced its long-awaited copyright reform bill, C-61, on Thursday.

According to ARS Technica, the bill would enable Canadians to legally record TV shows, copy legally acquired music onto devices such as iPods and make backup copies of books, newspapers, videocassettes and photographs.

"Our government has committed to ensuring Canada's copyright law is up-to-date," Industry Minister Jim Prentice said, "and today we are delivering by introducing this made-in-Canada bill that balances the interests of Canadians who use digital technology and those who create content."

For noncommercial copyright users, statutory damages would be capped at C$500 (US$486).

The Canadian government said the bill was not influenced by the United States' Digital Millennium Copyright Act.