Must Reads

• UK Gov't On ACTA: Lack of Transparency Not In the Public Interest

  The UK Government discusses the lack of transparency in an EU access to information request:
  
  "More broadly with respect to ACTA the UK considers that transparency is crucial to ensure the legitimacy of the agreement and to stop the spread of rumours. We believe the lack of transparency is unhelpful and do not believe that it is in the public interest." Jan.04/10Comments (3)

• Clement's 2010 Priorities: Privacy and Copyright

  Canwest features an interview with Industry Minister Tony Clement in which he sets out priorities for 2010: modernizing Canadian privacy law and introducing a new copyright bill. Jan.04/10Comments (4)

• Public Domain Day 2010

  Wallace McLean posts his annual list of authors whose works enter into the public domain in Canada this year.  There is additional coverage of public domain day here and here.  The issue should resonate particularly strongly this year, given the news that the European Union is demanding that Canada extend the term of copyright by an additional 20 years to life of the author plus 70 years (it is currently life plus 50 years).  Jan.01/10Comments (0)

• Three Strikes Law Takes Effect in France

  Hadopi, the French three-strikes and you're out law, takes effect today. The law establishes a new state agency - the Higher Authority for the Distribution of Works and the Protection of Copyright on the Internet.

  Update: Several people have written to report that the law has been delayed by the CNIL, the French data protection commission.  It will not take effect until at least April.
  

  Jan.01/10Comments (0)

• How Technology Killed Copyright

  Canwest's Gillian Shaw examines how technology is challenging traditional copyright law and forcing business to innovate. Jan.01/10Comments (0)

• CLawBies For 2009 Unveiled

  The CLawBies, which recognizes Canadian legal blogging, have been announced for 2009.  The great Slaw was easily named the best Canadian law blog.  This blog was named the Best Legal Tech Blog.
  Jan.01/10Comments (2)

• Small Toronto Firm Beats Google in Domain Name Dispute

  Groovle, a Toronto-based firm, has defeated Google in a domain name dispute case.  Google claimed that the domain was confusingly similar to its own, but an NAF panel disagreed. Dec.30/09Comments (0)

• Fee-For-Carriage Fight Brews In The U.S.

  The NY Times reports on the fee-for-carriage fight brewing in the U.S. (where carriage is optional and fees are negotiating).  Denis McGrath highlights some of the key differences between the U.S. and Canada on this issue. Dec.30/09Comments (0)

• The Mad Hatter Calls Out Sookman

  The Mad Hatter has a detailed post identifying a series of inaccuracies and misleading statements in a new post by CRIA lobbyist Barry Sookman on Canada and P2P.  Sookman has now heavily edited the post, though many of the same claims can be found in other documents. Dec.29/09Comments (6)

• Kenyan Anti-Counterfeiting Law To Face Constitutional Challenge

  Health Action International Africa is challenging the constitutionality of a new Kenyan anti-counterfeiting law.  The group argues that the law violates the right to health since it confuses generics with fake medicines and could lead to a health crisis. Dec.29/09Comments (0)