Archive for May, 2011

Why Canadian Cable Companies and Telecoms Are in Trouble

Sean Michael provides an interesting outsider take on the state of Canadian cable and telecom companies, arguing that they have enjoyed legislative protections that have “allowed them to enjoy inflated margins as members of a cozy oligopoly.”

May 16, 2011 — 2 comments — News

Forget the iPod Tax, Canadian Copyright Collective Demanding Memory Card Tax

During the most recent election campaign, there was no shortage of debate over the so-called iPod Tax, a proposed levy on iPods and similar devices to compensate for copies of sound recordings. While the prospect of an iPod tax in Canada died with the Conservative majority, the existing private copying […]

May 14, 2011 — 104 comments — News

“Canada’s Piracy Rate is at an All Time Low”

The Business Software Alliance released its annual Global Piracy Study yesterday and while the study is oft-criticized on methodological grounds (Glyn Moody, my 2009 criticisms that revealed no actual surveys in Canada that year), the trend is unmistakable. According to this annual study, Canada’s piracy rate has been on a steady decline as Michael Murphy, Chairman of the BSA Canada Committee, notes “at 28 per cent, Canada’s piracy rate is at an all time low, dropping six percentage points since 2006.”

The Toronto Star runs a story on the release, complete a graphic showing Canada among the 15 lowest piracy countries in the world. Canada’s is well below the Western European average and well below the other countries on the USTR Special 301 Watch list. While the BSA notes an increase in the dollar amount, this is due almost entirely to currency fluctuations given the stronger Canadian dollar. Moreover, Joe Karaganis highlights the fact that the BSA says the top source of “software piracy” is not unauthorized versions of software but rather “overinstallation” – the installation of legal, authorized software on more than one computer.

May 13, 2011 — 12 comments — News

What Comes Next for Canadian Copyright Reform: Speculating on Three Scenarios

Parliament is still several weeks away from resuming, but those focused on the longstanding battle over copyright reform are already looking ahead to how things may unfold (I appeared this week on BNN to discuss). This post offers what I see as the three most likely scenarios on the now-certain passage of a copyright reform bill sometime over the next year or so. Note that this is not necessarily what I want to see happen, but rather what I think is likely to occur.

Scenario One – Bill C-32 Is Reintroduced Unchanged

The reintroduction of Bill C-32 is by far the most likely scenario. The reason is simple – it’s what the Conservatives have said they plan to do. The Conservative election platform stated:

A Stephen Harper-led majority Government will also reintroduce and pass the Copyright Modernization Act, a key pillar in our commitment to make Canada a leader in the global digital economy. This balanced, commonsense legislation recognizes the practical priorities of teachers, students, artists, families, and technology companies, among others, while aligning Canada with international standards. It respects both the rights of creators and the interests of consumers. It will ensure that Canada’s copyright law will be responsive in a fast- changing digital world, while protecting and creating jobs, promoting innovation, and attracting investment to Canada.

Since Harper noted in his first post-election press conference that his plans are unlikely to surprise, there is every reason to take him at his word. In all likelihood, Bill C-32 will be back and it will be passed.

May 12, 2011 — 8 comments — News