A former Conservative organizer speaks out.
Archive for May, 2008
Canadians Stuck With Analog Rights in a Digital World
My weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, Ottawa Citizen version, Vancouver Sun version, homepage version) notes that earlier this month, some fans of the NBC television programs American Gladiators and Medium found themselves unable to digitally record the shows on their personal computers. The reason for the blocked recordings raises important technical and legal questions about the rights of consumers to "time shift" television programs in the digital era. The blocked recordings affected people that record television programs on their personal computers using the Microsoft Windows Vista Media Centre. Most people are unaware that Microsoft has inserted a feature that allows a broadcaster or content owner to stop the digital recording of a show by triggering a "broadcast flag" that specifies its preference that the show not be recorded. When the user tries to record it, Microsoft’s software recognizes the flag and issues a warning that the program cannot be recorded.
The CBC’s Terms of Use
InsidetheCBC focuses on the CBC's terms of use for submitting content, raising important questions about the breadth of the provisions (thanks Joe!).
Angus to Introduce Net Neutrality Bill
The CBC reports that hundreds of people attended the net neutrality on Parliament Hill and NDP MP Charlie Angus announced that he plans to introduce a Private Member's bill addressing the net neutrality issue tomorrow.
CBC and Globe Cover Mounting ACTA Concern
CBC's Search Engine blog and the Globe and Mail's Mathew Ingram add their voices to the mounting concern over government's copyright plans both domestically and on the international front.