Archive for July, 2008

Toronto Company Offers DRM-Free Audiobooks

BoingBoing points to a Publishers Weekly article on Simply Audiobooks, a Toronto-based audiobook seller that will offer more than 5,000 Random House audiobooks without DRM.

Read more ›

July 3, 2008 2 comments News

YouTube Ordered To Hand Over User Data

Many people have written about a U.S. decision ordering Google to disclose a massive amount of personal information about their users.  Many U.S. experts expect the decision to be overturned on appeal.

Read more ›

July 3, 2008 1 comment News

MacKay Hears About Copyright

Defense Minister Peter MacKay used his monthly column in The News to discuss Bill C-61.  MacKay notes that copyright was a topic of discussion over the Canada Day weekend and then proceeds to offer the standard Conservative talking points on the bill.

Read more ›

July 3, 2008 4 comments News

61 Reforms to C-61, Day 9: Music Shifting Subject To Anti-Circumvention Limitation

Having reviewed the format and time shifting provisions, I now turn to the music shifting provisions (Section 29.22).  Industry Minister Jim Prentice has heavily promoted these provisions as he assures Canadians that they can now shift music from CDs to their iPods. The provision has faced significant criticism from all sides, however.  The Canadian Private Copying Collective is livid at the change, arguing that it will "rob creators of their rights, denying them compensation for this use of their work."  In what sounds a lot like consumer group complaints, the CPCC adds that they were not consulted on the issue and that an open consultation is needed.

From the consumer perspective, the provision does not go far enough.  I think it is fair to say that most consumers believe that if they have paid for a song, they should have the right to listen to it on the device of their choice without further compensation (CRIA seemingly agrees).  Such uses should be considered fair uses and the value of listening to a song on multiple devices can be built into the initial purchase price.

Yet the music shifting provision is subject to some significant limitations that undermine their fairness. 

Read more ›

July 3, 2008 39 comments News

Fair Copyright for Canada Activity Calendar

In addition to the Calgary plans for Jim Prentice's Stampede Breakfast on Saturday, the Vancouver chapter meets tonight and the Winnipeg and Ottawa chapters both meet on July 8th.  Given this activity, I've created a Google calendar that will feature upcoming events as well as important dates in the copyright […]

Read more ›

July 3, 2008 Comments are Disabled News