Your Parliament is Copyrighted

They may be paid by Canadian citizens, and they may work for Canadian citizens, and letting citizens know what they say may legitimately be considered an important component of a functioning democracy … but no no no, you can’t post to the net vids of Candian politicians talking in Parliament, without getting PERMISSION FORM THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS!:

Says Geist:

The Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC) is the primary source for Canadian Parliamentary debate and discussions, including the House of Commons Question Period and Committee hearings. CPAC broadcasts hours of Parliamentary hearings each week, yet … it does not assert copyright over the broadcasts. Instead, the broadcaster maintains that copyright in the House of Commons Proceedings rests with the Speaker of the House, while the Senate of Canada owns the copyright in the Senate Proceedings.

(found at BoingBoing)

And, being the shit disturber that I am, I sent this to the Speaker Himself (email: SpkrOff@parl.gc.ca):

Dear Mr. Speaker,

Considering that Canadian Parliamentarians are paid by Canadian citizens, and that they work for Canadian citizens, and that letting citizens know what Parliamentarians say is an important component of a functioning democracy … should we citizens not be allowed, without the permission of the Speaker of the House, to post videos of Parliament to the internet when and how we wish?

How could Parliament reasonably argue that copyright should apply?

see:
http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/1943/135/

Thanks,

etc…