Bill C-272 (Historical)

An Act to Amend the Copyright Act (diagnosis, maintenance or repair)

This bill is from the 43rd Parliament, 2nd session, which ended in August 2021.

Sponsor

Bryan May Liberal

Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)

Status

In committee (House), as of June 2, 2021
(This bill did not become law.)

Summary

This is from the published bill.

This enactment amends the Copyright Act in order to allow the circumvention of a technological protection measure in a computer program if the circumvention is solely for the purpose of diagnosis, maintenance or repair of a product in which the program is embedded. It also allows the manufacture, importation, distribution, sale, renting and provision of technologies, devices or components used for diagnosis, maintenance or repair of such products.

Similar bills

C-244 (44th Parliament, 1st session) Law An Act to amend the Copyright Act (diagnosis, maintenance and repair)

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-272s:

C-272 (2022) Employing Persons with Disabilities Act

C-272 (2016) An Act to amend the Statistics Act (fire and emergency response statistics)

C-272 (2013) An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and the Canada Labour Code (compassionate care benefits)

C-272 (2011) An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and the Canada Labour Code (compassionate care benefits)

Votes

June 2, 2021 Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-272, An Act to Amend the Copyright Act (diagnosis, maintenance or repair)

Debate Summary

This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Bill C-272 seeks to amend the Copyright Act to allow consumers to bypass technological protection measures on devices for the purpose of repair, maintenance, or diagnosis.

Liberal

Addresses copyright hindering repair: The bill addresses concerns that the Copyright Act, particularly technological protection measures (TPMs), prevents the repair of digital devices and systems.
Creates limited repair exception: Bill C-272 proposes a specific, limited allowance for consumers to circumvent TPMs only for diagnosis, maintenance, or repair purposes.
Enhances consumer rights and sustainability: The bill is supported as it enhances consumer rights, supports independent repair shops, and contributes to reducing electronic waste by facilitating repairs.
Step towards right to repair: Liberals view the bill as an important federal step towards establishing a right to repair framework in Canada and support referring it to committee for further study.

Conservative

Supports right to repair principle: The party supports the principle that people should have the right to fix the products they buy, addressing an outdated Copyright Act in the digital era.
Addresses farmers' repair issues: Members highlight the bill's importance for farmers and rural areas, where manufacturer control over diagnostics and repairs on equipment like tractors creates significant impediments.
Legalizing circumvention tools: The party backs the bill's strategy to legalize tools that bypass technological protections for repair purposes, favoring a market-based approach over government mandates.
Balances repair and IP concerns: Conservatives support advancing the bill to committee, recognizing the need to balance the right to repair with protecting intellectual property rights.

NDP

Supports the right to repair: The NDP supports Bill C-272, a right to repair bill, which builds upon previous similar legislation championed by the party.
Protects consumers and environment: The party supports the bill as it provides solid consumer protection, environmental protection by extending product lifespan, and improves competition.
Reduces electronic waste: The bill helps reduce electronic waste by ensuring that necessary information and tools are available for repairing devices, preventing unnecessary disposal.
Supports jobs and public safety: Bill C-272 protects hundreds of thousands of jobs in the aftermarket sector and improves public safety by ensuring devices can be properly repaired.

Bloc

Supports bill C-272: The Bloc Québécois supports Bill C-272, which confirms the right to repair owned products and prevents the Copyright Act from being misused for economic and industrial ends.
Prevents misuse of copyright: The bill amends the Copyright Act to allow circumventing digital locks for diagnosis, maintenance, or repair, preventing manufacturers from blocking repairs.
Combats planned obsolescence: By enabling repairs, the bill helps combat planned obsolescence, reducing financial and environmental waste caused by forcing consumers to buy new products.
Supports local businesses and regions: The bill promotes healthy competition, supports the development of local repair businesses, and is particularly useful in regions where manufacturer dealers are scarce.

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Copyright ActPrivate Members' Business

June 2nd, 2021 / 4 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I declare the motion carried. Accordingly, the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology.

(Bill read the second time and referred to a committee)