Articles by: Michael Geist

EU Complains About Lack of U.S. Copyright Compliance

Michael Factor points to a release late last week by Ambassador John Bruton, the head of the European Commission Delegation to the United States, complaining about the failure of the United States to live up to its international copyright obligations.

March 24, 2008 — Comments are Disabled — News

ComputerWorld Canada on Copyright Reform

ITWorld Canada features an editorial warning the technical community of the dangers of copyright reform, arguing that "a piece of legislation that views TPM circumvention in black and white will only harm Canadian industries and consumers, effectively trumping their fair use rights in the process. And fair dealing should be […]

March 24, 2008 — 1 comment — News

The CBC’s Next Great Way To Distribute Content

My weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) focuses again on the CBC's decision to distribute the finale of Canada's Next Great Prime Minister without DRM on BitTorrent. The use of BitTorrent may come as a surprise to those who mistakenly equate file sharing solely with infringing activities. BitTorrent and other peer-to-peer technologies are finding increasing favour with legitimate businesses attracted to its ability to distribute content in an efficient, cost-effective fashion.

March 24, 2008 — 6 comments — Columns

Hulu.com Blocks Canadians from NHL Games

The NHL has announced that its content is now available through Hulu.com, the U.S. video site. The site features full-length classic NHL games, yet is not available to Canadians. Television shows subject to licensing issues I understand, but blocking the NHL?

March 23, 2008 — 11 comments — News