Archive for December, 2011

The Daily Digital Lock Dissenter, Day 49: Union des consommateurs

Union des consommateurs is one of Canada’s leading consumer advocacy groups. Based in Quebec, it represents consumer interests on a wide range of issues. Union des consommateurs filed a submission to the 2009 national copyright consultation that expressed significant concern with the use of digital locks and their implications for consumer rights, privacy, and freedom of expression.

Dès lors, le Gouvernement se doit de se poser la question d’intégrer spécifiquement de telles dispositions au sein de la Loi sur le droit d’auteur, alors que l’échec des mesures techniques de protection est évident, et que celles-ci seraient déjà protégées dans notre arsenal législatif. Nous avons aujourd’hui le recul nécessaire pour affirmer que la protection légale des mesures techniques de protection est dangereuse pour la vie privée des consommateurs, que bien souvent elle porte atteinte à la liberté d’expression, et qu’elles limitent les utilisations légitimes des oeuvres.

Read more ›

December 12, 2011 Comments are Disabled News

Fair Dealing, Copyright and the Haggadah

Ariel Katz has a great post that links the story of the four sons in the Passover Haggadah to copyright and fair dealing emphasizing the connection between education and freedom.

Read more ›

December 12, 2011 1 comment News

Why Spotify Can Never Be Profitable

Michael Robertson, the founder of MP3tunes, has an eye-opening article on the lopsided demands of record labels for online music sites that render it nearly impossible for the online sites to generate a profit.

Read more ›

December 12, 2011 4 comments News

Vic Toews’ Lawful Access Deception

Appeared in the Toronto Star on December 11, 2011 as Canada’s need for the Tories’ snooping law is not proven Early next year the government will introduce lawful access legislation featuring new information disclosure requirements for Internet providers, the installation of mandated surveillance technologies, and creation of new police powers. […]

Read more ›

December 12, 2011 Comments are Disabled Columns Archive

Canada – US Beyond the Border Deal: IP Enforcement Doesn’t Make the Cut

Canada and the U.S. unveiled a new perimeter agreement on Wednesday that includes new border measures and regulatory cooperation initiatives. While the agreement raises important privacy concerns with respect to information sharing and paves the way for lawful access with a Canadian commitment to accede to the Council of Europe […]

Read more ›

December 9, 2011 4 comments News