The Dutch government has confirmed that it will not sign a Canada – EU Trade Agreement that includes provisions found in the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement.
Archive for September, 2012
Will ACTA Ever Become a Valid Treaty?
IP Watch considers whether the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement has the necessary support to obtain six ratifications to take effect. Thus far, only Japan has ratified the agreement.
The Economist on Trade Deals and Patent Protection
The Economist speaks out on the dangers of using trade agreements to increase patent protections, stating that “America should not use trade deals to swaddle drugmakers in excessive patent protections.” The comments focus on India and the U.S, but could easily be applied to the Canada – EU Trade Agreement.
CRTC Places Consumers and Access at the Top of its Priority List
My weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) notes that with Jean-Pierre Blais installed as the new CRTC chair and the Conservatives emboldened by majority government, the Commission’s priorities send a message of change in Canadian communications policy. The days of emphasizing Canadian content rules or legislative overhauls are over, replaced by a consumer-oriented focus on affordable access to both content and connectivity services.
The CRTC priorities document identifies a single overarching objective: “ensuring that Canadians have access to a world-class communication system.” Given the myriad of policy objectives contained in both the Telecommunications Act and the Broadcasting Act, the singular focus on consumer access is a subtle but important change from the approach of the previous chair, Konrad von Finckenstein.
CRTC Places Consumers and Access at the Top of its Priority List
Appeared in the Toronto Star on September 9, 2012 as CRTC Puts Consumers and Access at the top of its Priority List The Canadian communications world is focused this week on the proposed merger between Bell and Astral Media as the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission holds its much-anticipated hearing […]
Recent Posts
Debating the Online Harms Act: Insights from Two Recent Panels on Bill C-63 
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 199: Boris Bytensky on the Criminal Code Reforms in the Online Harms Act 
AI Spending is Not an AI Strategy: Why the Government’s Artificial Intelligence Plan Avoids the Hard Governance Questions 
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 198: Richard Moon on the Return of the Section 13 Hate Speech Provision in the Online Harms Act 
Tweets Are Not Enough: Why Combatting Relentless Antisemitism in Canada Requires Real Leadership and Action
