A few days ago, in Canada, gaming took central stage and members of the video game industry, which is continuing to do well worldwide despite the overall economic downturn, took the case of protecting their intellectual property before the MPs.

The controversial law they want, but which was forgotten over the past year, is for them to get the ability to cease known pirated goods. This law would also introduce higher fines for those found with pirated materials. It would also extend to outlawing modchips, which, while still legal in Canada, are illegal almost everywhere else.

Gaming representative Danielle Parr feels that this is for the best of the industry.

OTTAWA — Members of Parliament mixed business with pleasure this week — playing some of the latest video games before hearing a plea from Canada's video game developers and publishers to protect their copyright.


Despite the sagging economy, the video game industry continues to thrive, even as car manufacturers and other big business falters, said Danielle Parr, executive director of the Entertainment Software Association of Canada.


"While the numbers are promising, it doesn't mean our industry is recession-proof," she told about 10 MPs, who attended the Tuesday night event in Ottawa organized to update politicians on the condition of the Canadian gaming industry.


"At the federal level, the primary issue for us . . . is the protection of intellectual property."

Mishtram via canada.com »