Copyright hasn’t stayed the same since it was created. Here are some of the most notable laws that have affected copyright.
Canadian Copyright Act (Originally established in 1832)
The Province of Lower Canada granted residents copyrights with the original CCA to encourage the emergence of culture in a developing nation. This was re-established in 1921, and covered everything from architecture to newspapers. The act was reformed in 1988, 1997, and again in 2012, most recently focusing on the public’s rights in reproducing legally obtained materials or piracy.
Source: http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-42/
Digital Millennium Copyright Act (1998)
A United States law, this act criminalized the production and distribution of technology, devices, or services to get around the procedures that control access of copyrighted works. It also heightened penalties for copyright infringement online.
Source: http://www.copyright.gov/legislation/dmca.pdf
Canadian Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Acts (PIPEDA, 2000)
A Canadian law that governs how the private sector collects, uses and releases personal information in business creating more internet privacy and safety for users. Exceptions include reasons of national security, international affairs, and emergencies.
Source: http://www.leg.bc.ca/37th4th/3rd_read/gov38-3.htm
Protect IP Act; Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act (PIPA, 2011)
A proposed United States law with the goal of giving the government and copyright holders tools to prevent access to websites dedicated to selling counterfeit or infringing goods. Senator Ron Wyden put a hold on it.
Source: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/s968
Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA, 2011)
A proposed U.S. bill expanding the ability of law enforcement to fight online trafficking of copyrighted intellectual property. The law would expand criminal laws to include unauthorized streaming of copyrighted content—movies or TV—and impose prison penalties. It would restrict access to websites offering pirated content.
Source: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:H.R.3261:
Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA, 2011)
A proposed United States law that would allow sharing of Internet traffic information between the government and technology and manufacturing companies to investigate cyber threats and ensure network security. If CISPA becomes a law, companies such as Facebook or Google would have grounds to distribute personal information to the government if copyrighted material has been used by someone.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?c112:4:./temp/~c112eLARZR:e677:
