Bill C-244

An Act to amend the Copyright Act (diagnosis, maintenance and repair)

Sponsor

Wilson Miao  Liberal

Introduced as a private member’s bill.

Status

This bill has received Royal Assent and is, or will soon 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 if the circumvention is solely for the purpose of the diagnosis, maintenance or repair of certain types of products.

Similar bills

C-272 (43rd Parliament, 2nd session) An Act to Amend the Copyright Act (diagnosis, maintenance or 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-244s:

C-244 (2020) An Act to amend the Canadian Navigable Waters Act (North Thames River, Middle Thames River and Thames River)
C-244 (2020) An Act to amend the Canadian Navigable Waters Act (North Thames River, Middle Thames River and Thames River)
C-244 (2016) Leif Erikson Day Act
C-244 (2013) Assistance to Students Visiting Military Memorial Sites Abroad Act

Votes

Oct. 18, 2023 Passed 3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-244, An Act to amend the Copyright Act (diagnosis, maintenance and repair)
May 31, 2023 Passed Concurrence at report stage of Bill C-244, An Act to amend the Copyright Act (diagnosis, maintenance and repair)
Oct. 5, 2022 Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-244, An Act to amend the Copyright Act (diagnosis, maintenance and repair)

Debate Summary

line drawing of robot

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-244 seeks to amend the Copyright Act to allow the circumvention of technological protection measures (TPMs) for the sole purpose of diagnosing, maintaining, and repairing products. The bill aims to empower consumers with the right to repair their purchased products, foster competition among repair service providers, reduce electronic waste, and promote a more sustainable approach to manufacturing and consumption, while also clarifying that existing health and safety regulations still apply. The amendments also clarify that repairs can be made by third parties on behalf of the product owners, as long as no copyright infringement occurs.

Liberal

  • Supports right to repair: The Liberal Party supports Bill C-244, which amends the Copyright Act to allow the circumvention of technological protection measures (TPMs) for diagnosis, maintenance, and repair of products. This bill is viewed as a crucial step towards a right-to-repair framework, giving consumers more control over their purchases and promoting sustainability.
  • Promotes sustainability: The bill aims to reduce planned obsolescence and waste by making repairs more accessible and affordable. By extending product lifespans, the bill is expected to conserve resources and reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing, transporting, and disposing of goods.
  • Consumer affordability: The bill can help consumers save money by reducing their dependence on costly authorized repair services. It also fosters competition among repair service providers, leading to more affordable options, supporting local small businesses, and promoting job creation within the repair industry.
  • Amendments improve bill: Amendments to the bill clarified that the repair exception applies to third parties, added a safeguard against copyright infringement, and removed the exception for trading circumvention tools. These adjustments were intended to improve the bill's effectiveness while aligning it with Canada's international obligations.

Conservative

  • Supports right to repair: Conservatives support Bill C-244, which aims to amend the Copyright Act to allow individuals and businesses to repair technology with copyright material without infringing on copyright. The bill has garnered support from all parties, and the Conservatives are pleased to see it at the third reading stage.
  • Addresses anti-competitive practices: The Conservatives believe that copyright is being used as an anti-competitive tool, restricting customers to manufacturers for repair and maintenance, which is more costly. This bill seeks to address this by allowing individuals and small businesses to repair technologies themselves without fear of repercussions.
  • Benefits the agricultural sector: The bill is expected to have a positive impact on the agricultural sector, where farmers face high costs for equipment maintenance and are often forced to rely on expensive technicians from manufacturing companies. By allowing farmers to repair equipment themselves or use local repairmen, the bill promotes competition and reduces costs.
  • Modernizing copyright law: The Copyright Act, initially intended to protect creators' financial rewards, has become a barrier to competition and consumer choice by controlling the repair and maintenance ecosystem. The Conservatives believe the bill will modernize the act to reflect the current state of equipment and promote a diversity of repair options.

NDP

  • Supports right to repair: The NDP supports Bill C-244, which concerns the right to repair, as a crucial step toward addressing consumer rights and fair competition in Canada, which has been lagging behind other countries.
  • Focus on auto industry: The bill echoes previous efforts, including Masse's earlier legislation focused on the automotive industry, highlighting the importance of access to aftermarket repairs for consumers and the need to address unfair practices.
  • Against corporate greed: The NDP views the right to repair as a social justice issue, arguing that it protects the livelihoods of skilled workers in the aftermarket industry who are being denied opportunities due to corporate greed and restrictive practices, which prioritize profit over consumer and environmental well-being.
  • Seeks stronger measures: The NDP acknowledges some shortcomings in Bill C-244 and Masse's own Bill C-231 and advocates for amendments to strengthen the legislation, particularly concerning the tribunal and other elements, to ensure it effectively addresses the issue of right to repair and promotes fair competition.

Bloc

  • Supports Bill C-244: The Bloc Québécois supports Bill C-244, which amends the Copyright Act to allow circumvention of technological protection measures (TPM) for diagnosing, maintaining, or repairing products. They believe this bill is vital for residents of Abitibi—Témiscamingue and Quebec.
  • Right to repair: The Bloc views the bill as crucial for the right to repair, fighting waste, and protecting jobs of repair people, mechanics, and technicians in the regions, whose livelihoods are threatened by manufacturers refusing to share programming codes or charging exorbitant fees.
  • Environmental concerns: The Bloc emphasizes the environmental impact of the increasing inability to repair products, highlighting the waste of raw materials, the rise of electronic waste, and the need for a circular economy approach to recycling metals, plastics, and electronics.
  • Quebec's leadership: The Bloc applauds Quebec's leadership in addressing planned obsolescence and ensuring product durability, noting the province's new law that aligns with the bill's goals.
Was this summary helpful and accurate?

Copyright ActPrivate Members' Business

October 6th, 2023 / 2:25 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

The question is on the motion.

If a member participating in person wishes that the motion be carried or carried on division, or if a member of a recognized party participating in person wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to now rise and indicate it to the Chair.

Copyright ActPrivate Members' Business

October 6th, 2023 / 2:25 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON

Mr. Speaker, we request a recorded division.

Copyright ActPrivate Members' Business

October 6th, 2023 / 2:25 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

Pursuant to Standing Order 93, the division stands deferred until Wednesday, October 18, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.

I want to wish each and every one of you a happy Thanksgiving. Have a good week with your constituents, and we will see you here on October 16.

It being 2:28 p.m., the House stands adjourned until Monday, October 16, at 11 a.m., pursuant to Standing Orders 28(2) and 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 2:28 p.m.)

The House resumed from October 6 consideration of the motion that Bill C‑244, An Act to amend the Copyright Act (diagnosis, maintenance and repair), be read the third time and passed.

Copyright ActPrivate Members' Business

October 18th, 2023 / 4:35 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at third reading stage of Bill C‑244, under Private Members' Business.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #424

Copyright ActPrivate Members' Business

October 18th, 2023 / 4:50 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

I declare the motion carried.

(Bill read the third time and passed)