The Digital Reader

Do you remember the IIPA watchlist published a couple months back (the one that described Canada as just short of a child molester)? That list was  a load of BS created by Big Media (RIAA, MPAA).The one released today is different.

Consumers International just released their watchlist for 2010. Trust me, it’s not your usual watchlist. It was not written from the viewpoint of Big Media with the goal of bullying countries into enacting more restrictive IP laws. Instead, this report looks at a country’s existing laws and rates them based on how much a citizen can legally do with their property.

report

Summary:

Copyright laws and enforcement practices around the world are changing rapidly.  But most often, the changes are for the benefit of rights holders only, disregarding consumers’ interests in fair and affordable access to educational and cultural materials.  To help map global trends in this area, Consumers International surveyed 34 countries for its 2010 Intellectual Property (IP) Watchlist.

None of the countries surveyed scored the top mark, for affording their consumers fair treatment in copyright law overall.  Particular concerns included enforcement practices that infringe upon consumer rights, and compulsory copying levies that offer poor value for money.  However, the report also reveals some best practices that could turn the situation around for consumers, if only they were more widely implemented.