Michael Geist

Latest Posts

CRIA and Private Copying

CRIA is currently leading a coalition that includes Apple, Bell, Rogers, and Napster in opposing an application for a new tariff for online downloads (I briefly posted on Graham Henderson's appearance before the Copyright Board last week and his startling claim that he had not read Nielson SoundScan data months after he referenced that data in a speech). The lead statement in the case includes a discussion of private copying, after CSI (the group seeking the tariff) sought compensation for the copies that consumers make from digital downloads. CSI argues that the recording industry authorizes consumers to make those copies.

CRIA's response? They say they do no such thing – "the Online Music Services do not 'authorize' any further reproduction of downloads by the consumer." Rather, CRIA notes that:

September 20, 2006 — 3 comments — News

CIPPIC Files Formal Objection to the Sony Settlement

The Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic has filed a formal objection to Sony's Canadian rootkit class action settlement. The objection received the support of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which challenged Sony's description of the events leading up to the U.S. settlement. EFF has posted the relevant documents including: […]

September 18, 2006 — Comments are Disabled — News

30 Days of DRM: 30 Things You Can Do

Update (December 3, 2007) – I have posted a newly updated version of what you can do in light of the forthcoming Canadian DMCA. The posting includes a YouTube video, a Facebook group, and updated contact information.

Update (November 29/07): With a Canadian DMCA seemingly imminent, the importance of speaking out has never been more important. Some details on the likely new bill can be found here. I've updated the 30 Things You Can Do to reflect the new Ministers.

The House of Commons is back in session and, as I promised last month, the 30 Days of DRM project has now concluded. The postings remain accessible via the 30 Days of DRM page, the wiki, and a new PDF version that incorporates all postings into a single document.

The project generated considerable commentary online and lots of email offline. The most frequently asked question provides reason for optimism as many people simply asked "what can I do?" I typically responded that the best starting point was to write to their local Member of Parliament. Upon reflection, there is more that can be done and to that end, I offer up 30 things you can do about the issues raised by the 30 days of DRM project.

September 18, 2006 — 21 comments — News

Perhaps It Got Caught In His Spam Filter

Industry Minister Maxime Bernier, who has shown little appetite for the anti-spam legislation, now says that he is reviewing the 2005 Task Force Report on Spam (I was a member of the task force). Bernier says he "just" received the report – it was obviously part of his ministerial briefing […]