Archive for November 20th, 2009

NDP, Billy Bragg Make Case For Legalized Downloading

The NDP's Charlie Angus and musician Billy Bragg held a press conference in Ottawa this morning to argue against criminalizing music downloading, instead supporting mechanisms to fully legalize the activity.

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November 20, 2009 Comments are Disabled News

OECD Confirms Canada Among Lowest Sources Of Counterfeiting

The OECD has released new data on its global counterfeiting estimates, concluding that the share of counterfeit and pirated goods in world trade is estimated to have increased from 1.85% in 2000 to 1.95% in 2007.  That represents an increase to $250 billion worldwide.  That is obviously a big number, but notably far lower than the claims from ACTA supporters.  Copyright lobby groups have long claimed – without empirical support – that counterfeiting and piracy represents 5 – 7% of global trade.  The OECD data indicates those claims are wildly exaggerated.

This is particularly relevant in Canada where counterfeiting claims have been based on the same faulty data (the international story is similar).  For example, the Chamber of Commerce's IP Council claimed in its report on IP that "it has been conservatively estimated that counterfeiting and piracy cost the Canadian economy $22 billion annually in lost tax revenue, investment and innovation." The source for this claim is a speech by Chamber President Perrin Beatty.  Similarly, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce has argued:

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November 20, 2009 13 comments News

MPAA on ACTA

"Outcries on the lack of transparency in the ACTA negotiations are a distraction."

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November 20, 2009 6 comments News

UK Digital Economy Bill Introduced, Unlikely To Become Law

The UK has introduced its Digital Economy Bill, though government officials admit it is unlikely to pass before the next election.

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November 20, 2009 Comments are Disabled News

Huntsville Considers Internet Voting For Next Election

Huntsville, Ontario is considering implementing Internet and telephone voting for its next municipal election in 2010.

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November 20, 2009 Comments are Disabled News