The Australian Content Industry Group, which includes the music industry’s anti-piracy arm and the book, computer software and video game industries, has backed away from a call for a three strikes system leading to termination of Internet accounts. The group is still calling for “mitigation measures” but says loss of […]
Archive for June, 2011
Canadian Government Departments “Hoarding Copyrights”
A new report finds that Canadian government departments are hoarding hundreds of patents and copyrights each year in violation of the government’s own IP policy.
Canadian Heritage Dropped Plans for Digital Transition Video Contest
Matthew Kupfer reports that Canadian Heritage developed plans for a video contest to increase public awareness of the forthcoming digital television transition. The plans were dropped after fears the contest might be viewed negatively.
UN Report Says Internet Three Strikes Laws Violate International Law
On the issue of graduated response, the report states:
he is alarmed by proposals to disconnect users from Internet access if they violate intellectual property rights. This also includes legislation based on the concept of “graduated responseâ€, which imposes a series of penalties on copyright infringers that could lead to suspension of Internet service, such as the so-called “three strikes-law†in France and the Digital Economy Act 2010 of the United Kingdom.
Beyond the national level, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) has been proposed as a multilateral agreement to establish international standards on intellectual property rights enforcement. While the provisions to disconnect individuals from Internet access for violating the treaty have been removed from the final text of December 2010, the Special Rapporteur remains watchful about the treaty’s eventual implications for intermediary liability and the right to freedom of expression.
In light of these concerns, the report argues that the Internet disconnection is a disproportionate response, violates international law and such measures should be repealed in countries that have adopted them:
Lawful Access Delayed Until the Fall
Government House Leader Peter Van Loan has set out the government’s legislative agenda over the coming month. Van Loan announced that the omnibus crime bill, which is expected to include lawful access, will not be introduced until the fall.