CRTC *AGAIN* looking at regulating/taxing internet content

[Walter Dnes]

  Just when you though it was safe to log on to the internet.  See
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2011/2011-344.htm  There's the usual
whining about "the possibility that, in the near term, OTT services may
cause replacement or reductions in BDU subscriptions".  Note; "BDU" ==
"Broadcast Distribution Undertaking"; a generic term covering TV
programming distributers such as cable and staellite and IPTV.

  This was done at the behest of a lobby group calling itself the
"Over-The-Top Services Working Group".  See the story at...
http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=4626101

> The professional shakedown artists otherwise known as Canada's
> cultural industries -telecoms, broadcasters, TV networks, filmmakers
> -are gearing up for another operatic hit on Canadians. They want the
> Internet controlled through new rules and new charges that would
> expand their existing protection racket that now funnels billions
> into their hands and limits the freedom of Canadians.

and also

> Decades ago they said that because there are technical limits to
> broadcasting, controls are needed. Now they say that because there
> are no technical limits, controls are needed. Every new technology
> -the arrival of television, cable, digital, satellite, Internet -has
> become a battleground of CanCon special interests seeking to lord
> it over the Canadian consumer.

  Note that the Broadcast Act requires the CRTC to protect the Canadian
Broadcast Industry.  There is no mention of freedom of choice or
affordability for Canadians.  There is no point in making submissions to
the CRTC in this hearing.  They are only asking for statistics, and
there is nothing in the terms of reference about freedom of choice.

  The CRTC is merely following its orders under the Broadcast Act.  What
needs to be done is to amend the Broadcast Act to clarify that the CRTC
has no power to to implement taxes or levies on, or otherwise regulate
content on the internet.

-- 
Walter Dnes <waltdnes-SLHPyeZ9y/tg9hUCZPvPmw at public.gmane.org>
--
The Toronto Linux Users Group.      Meetings: http://gtalug.org/
TLUG requests: Linux topics, No HTML, wrap text below 80 columns
How to UNSUBSCRIBE: http://gtalug.org/wiki/Mailing_lists