Must Reads

• European Commission Refers ACTA to the European Court of Justice

  The European Commission, which has been a staunch supporter of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, today announced that it is referring ACTA to the European Court of Justice to determine whether ACTA is incompatible - in any way - with the EU's fundamental rights and freedoms. While the move may mean European delay of ACTA ratification, it comes as a growing number of countries and European Parliament members signal their willingness to vote against the agreement. Feb.22/12Comments (0)

• ACTA in Context: Copyright Enforcement on a Global Scale

  Ars Technica features an article drawn from an interview I conducted with Tim Lee about how ACTA is part of a global effort to increase copyright enforcement on an international scale. Feb.21/12Comments (0)

• The Hidden Gag Order in Bill C-30

  David Fraser has an excellent post on how Bill C-30 imposes a gag order on Internet providers who would be prohibited from disclosing disclosures of subscriber information to affected subscribers. Feb.20/12Comments (3)

• Bill C-11 Committee Sets Witness List

  The Bill C-11 Committee has set the witness list for hearings that run until mid-March. Feb.20/12Comments (1)

• Bill C-11 Committee Timeline Set

  The Bill C-11 committee reviewing the copyright reform bill met for the first time yesterday and set out a fast-paced plan to conclude review of the bill. The committee will meet for 12 hours per week - four times a week for three hours each - until mid-March. It will then move to clause-by-clause review of the bill, which will conclude by the end of the month. Feb.15/12Comments (10)

• Tens of Thousands Protest Against ACTA in Europe On the Weekend

  Tens of thousands took to the streets over the weekend to protest against ACTA. Notable video and photos include Sofia, Bulgaria, Dresden, Germany, and Dusseldorf, Germany. Feb.13/12Comments (0)

• Bill C-11 and the Hazards of Digital Lock Provisions

  The Electronic Frontier Foundation has a pair of excellent posts on Bill C-11 and the dangers of the digital lock rules. The first focuses specifically on digital lock rules and the second on U.S. pressure on Canadian copyright reform. Feb.13/12Comments (1)

• Canadian Media Coverage Of Mounting C-11 Protests

  The Canadian media has picked up on the mounting protests over part of Bill C-11.  Recent coverage includes the Vancouver Sun, Straight.com, and Radio-Canada.
  Feb.13/12Comments (0)

• Latvia Freezes ACTA Ratification, Germany Won't Sign For Now

  Latvia has become the latest European country to freeze ratification of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement and Germany has said it will await the European Parliament vote before deciding whether to sign the agreement. The moves comes as the mainstream media takes increasing notice of the ACTA protests (coverage from the Economist here) and continent-wide protests are planned for Saturday. Feb.10/12Comments (0)

• Supreme Court of Canada Rules ISPs Are Not Broadcasters

  The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that Internet providers are not broadcasters for the purposes of the Broadcasting Act when they simply transmit content to subscribers.  The court noted "when providing access to the Internet, which is the only function of ISPs placed in issue by the reference question, they take no part in the selection, origination, or packaging of content. We agree with Noël J.A. that the term 'broadcasting undertaking' does not contemplate an entity with no role to play in contributing to the Broadcasting Act's policy objectives." ACTRA vowed not to give up and continue to find ways to force ISPs to make financial contributions to new media creation. Feb.10/12Comments (4)