Archive for December 19th, 2005

The Search for Net Neutrality

My weekly Law Bytes column (Toronto Star version, freely available version) examines the growing trend toward a two-tiered Internet, which upends the longstanding principle of network neutrality under which ISPs treat all data equally. I argue that the network neutrality principle has served ISPs, Internet companies, and Internet users well.  […]

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December 19, 2005 7 comments Columns

Stand Up

The CD version of Stand Up, the latest release from the Dave Matthews Band, contains copy control technology that is ostensibly designed to limit or prevent copying. The technology doesn't do a particularly good job at stopping copying, however, though it is very good at annoying consumers. Artists don't appear […]

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August 19, 2005 5 comments News

Broadcasters Object to Bill C-60

Add another major group to the list of those concerned with Bill C-60, Canada's copyright reform bill.  The Canadian Association of Braodcasters, which represents private television and radio broadcasters, has gone public with its objections to the bill.  They are apparently disappointed that the government did not address the ephemeral […]

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August 19, 2005 6 comments News

Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Rules Against Net Hate on Google Newsgroup

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has issued a ruling against a Canadian man for posting anti-semitic content on a Google newsgroup in violation of the Canadian Human Rights Act.  The Canadian Human Rights Commission, which enforces Tribunal rulings, wrote to Google to advise the company of the decision.  The Commission […]

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July 19, 2005 2 comments News

More on Coldplay and Copyright

Last month I blogged about the new Coldplay CD and consumer frustrations over copy-protection that limits the ability to listen to the CD on an iPod.  I've since heard from several people who have been directly affected and found that retailers even refused to offer a refund when they brought […]

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July 19, 2005 4 comments News