Canada has moved one step closer to imposing a copyright levy on every personal digital audio device sold, which would be handed over to the worlds largest music publishers as compensation for perceived piracy.

Michael Giest writes, "The government has yet to play its hand on this issue, but with the prospect of an unpopular levy and mounting pressure for a Canadian fair use provision, it will have to take a stand sometime soon."

Essentially what this means is, if you buy an iPod or similar device in Canada, soon you'll automatically be assumed to pirate music illegally, and will be forced to pay a small fee up front to the recording industry as penance. It's like getting a parking ticket while your car is still in the garage.