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A Fair(y) Use Tale

A must-see video on copyright and fair use.

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May 19, 2007 2 comments News

MPAA Trumpets Spiderman 3 Camcording Crackdown

Jon Healey of the LA Times points to a joint release today [pdf] from the MPAA and the National Association of Theatre Owners trumpeting their success in stopping the camcording of Spiderman 3.  The release notes that the industry stopped 31 camcording attempts worldwide, which it credits with helping lead […]

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May 18, 2007 11 comments News

U.S. Pressure on Canadian IP Grows

Following on comments from U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins, U.S. Senators Feinstein and Cornyn, as well as the USTR's Special 301 Report, the U.S. Congressional International Anti-Piracy Caucus has joined the chorus of criticism against Canada on intellectual property law.  The Caucus released its annual report yesterday and while not yet […]

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May 18, 2007 2 comments News

Yet More Committee Hearings on Counterfeiting

Two Canadian hearings on counterfeiting in one month is apparently not enough.  The Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights last week passed a motion to conduct hearings on counterfeiting and movie camcording.  The Chair of the Committee acknowledged that it would be good to actually see the reports from […]

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May 18, 2007 Comments are Disabled News

Missing Mobilization

The Conservative government unveiled its science and technology strategy [pdf] titled Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage on Thursday in Waterloo, Ontario.  The lengthy document represents a missed opportunity for open access as the strategy raises issues that are directly relevant but fails to take the plunge.  For example, it emphasizes enhanced accountability and responsiveness of the three federal granting councils, yet focuses on internal management issues, rather than on research dissemination. The strategy also includes increased efforts to transfer technology from Canadian universities to the private sector.  Once again, there is an opportunity to consider open access approaches, however, the strategy instead commits to a review that "will include an assessment of whether a new approach to intellectual property management of university research is warranted." While neither of these statements preclude open access, a more explicit commitment would have given the issue some real momentum.

It is also worth noting that patent and copyright reform receive attention, with the government focusing on the need for a modern IP regime that balances incentives with access:

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May 17, 2007 1 comment News