C-244 – An Act to amend the Copyright Act (diagnosis, maintenance, and repair) – makes two changes to the Copyright Act.
First, it makes it so it is no longer illegal to bypass copyright protections in software if you’re doing so to repair whatever the software is on.
Second, it makes it legal to manufacture and sell any devices that bypass these protections. This section was removed during the Committee step. Instead there is a statement that says C-244 also applies to anyone getting around copyright protections for someone else. A quick look says this is to avoid running into any treaty issues we have with other countries, as that comes up a lot when dealing with changes to copyright laws.
This Bill is intended to start the process of passing more Right to Repair legislation by dealing with one of the ways a number of companies are blocking people from repairing their own devices. A great example that’s been getting a lot of attention lately is John Deere’s farming equipment. Software has been installed in a lot of their products that makes it impossible to repair a machine yourself, and any attempt to get around that software is illegal under copyright laws.
Progress
C-244 passed its Second Reading vote with everyone voting in favour of it. It has come back from its committee phase with some changes (noted above) and the changes have been accepted by the House with everyone voting in favour of them. It then passed its Third Reading with everyone once again voting in favour of it.
C-244 then passed through the Senate and passed without change. It was then given Royal Assent.
Discover more from Commons Sense
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.