The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Allan Rock, Minister of Industry, and Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage, have announced the Government of Canada's intention to propose amendments to the Radio-communication Act with a view to better combat piracy of direct-to-home satellite television services. Amendments will be proposed to: - better control the import of illegal radiocommunication equipment into Canada; - increase penalties as a more effective deterrent to satellite piracy; and - strengthen the existing right of the Canadian broadcasting industry to take civil action against those who sell illegal equipment and services. "Satellite piracy is an illegal activity that strikes directly at the integrity ability to offer new, innovative services to Canadians," said Minister Rock. "The Radio-communications Act must be strengthened to better deter pirate dealers who view current penalties as merely an acceptable cost of doing business." "With this action, the government is simply moving to prevent the erosion of our broadcasting system," said Minister Copps. "The illegal activities of satellite privates takes millions of dollars out of the broadcast industry each year, and that means less funding for Canadian producers, writers, artists, camerapersons, technicians and other tradespeople who work on sets. Satellite piracy is not a victimless crime. Jobs are at stake." This action follows the April 2002 Supreme Court Decision in Bell ExpressVu versus Richard Rex, which confirmed that Section 9(1)(c) of the Radio-communication Act protects both Canadian and foreign signals from unauthorized decoding. The government is committed to work in cooperation with the Canadian broadcasting industry and law enforcement authorities to stop the sale and distribution of devices designed for the unauthorized decoding of satellite television programming. As well, Canadians who purchase pirated equipment should be aware that they face a substantial financial loss as their service may be terminated without notice or recourse. Consumer protection laws do not apply to purchases of illegal goods.
