After years of back and forth between the Canadian public and the Canadian government and foreign interests, Canadian copyright reform has received royal assent. While many things were tossed out over the years, the controversial digital locks rules is what managed to hang in there. I also take the time to reflect on the long and drawn out battle for digital rights in Canada through the copyright reform process. Canadian copyright reform has been the big issue I’ve followed since I first started writing file-sharing news clear back in 2005. The only issue that I can recall that comes closest to this would be the issue of Canadian privacy and surveillance legislation. If you’re one of the few that have followed Canadian copyright reform since the days of Bill C-60 , you’ve pretty much seen my entire career as a journalist. Being one of the key players along with Michael Geist, CIPPIC, Russell McOrmond, Canadian Digital rights advocates and several others to raise awareness about this (and, yes, having to deal with people who say I focused too much on Canadian issues in the process), I have to say that seeing this law pass is bitter sweet.

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Canadian Copyright Reform Bill Receives Royal Assent and Reflections