By Alice McFarlane

Changes to Copyright Act a step closer to final approval

Nov 6, 2024 | 4:39 PM

A pair of bills related to interoperability of farm equipment and right-to-repair have been passed in the Senate.

Grain Growers of Canada Executive Director Kyle Larkin said Bills C-244 and C-294 amend the Copyright Act and will allow farmers to access that diagnostic software needed to repair technological equipment like tractors, combines or sprayers.

“This legislation amends a Copyright Act that allows them to access that software that dealerships and manufacturers have been holding back now for years unless they spend thousands of dollars on a subscription,” Larkin said. “Farmers definitely know what I’m talking about, and this is one good step for a national right-to-repair framework.”

Larkin said the second bill also targets interoperability which will allow farmers to use different parts and equipment.

“The example I’ve used on a number of occasions is if you purchase the latest and greatest John Deere combines, but you also want to purchase a honeybee header and install that header on the John Deere combine farmers have had difficulties doing that, so that’s one small example of the challenges farmers have had with interoperability,” he said. “The bill opens up the Copyright Act to allow parts and equipment from different manufacturers to work together. It’s a really good day for farmers and a really good day for the right-to-repair.”

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Both C-244, introduced by BC Liberal MP Wilson Miao and C-294 introduced by Tory Saskatchewan MP Jeremy Patzer, were brought forward in the House of Commons in 2022. Larkin said the Grain Growers of Canada supported them since the beginning.

“We presented before the House of Commons Industry Committee advocating for this bill, and I recently appeared before the before the Senate Banking Committee to advocate for the passing of these two bills,” Larkin said. “Then in the Senate, we had Senator Colin Deacon and Senator Leo Housakos sponsored both bills and we worked very closely with them to expedite these bills.”

Larkin said the great news is that both bills passed with unanimous support in both chambers. He said they understood the need for right-to-repair for farmers and the difficulties that grain farmers are facing almost on a daily basis, especially during critical times of the year like seeding and harvest.

Both bills will save farmers money. Larkin said it’s in the thousands of dollars on the right to repair side of things.

“I know farmers out there that are currently paying $5,000 to $10,000 on an annual subscription to access that diagnostic software so they can continue repairing their own equipment that they’ve already spent over $1,000,000 on so that’s number one,” he added. “Number two, this is going to save farmers money on the interoperability side of things so instead of having to buy the John Deere part for the John Deere combine you can go out there and really look at the market.”

Larkin said the farmer might end up buying that John Deere part, but they have a greater choice of parts and equipment that you can interoperate.

“It’s a big win for the affordability of things too for farmers and just again supporting their profitability on a day-to-day,” he said.

C-244 and C-294 are awaiting royal assent to officially become law.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

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