Articles by: Michael Geist

A Q & A With P2PNet

P2PNet has posted a Q & A with me that focuses, not surprisingly, on P2P, music, and copyright law.

Read more ›

March 24, 2006 1 comment News

Shaw Sued Over Refusal To Carry VoIP Ad

Zingotel, a U.S.-based VoIP provider, has filed suit against Shaw over the cable company's refusal to carry advertising for a competing VoIP service.  Zingotel has reportedly also filed a complaint with the CRTC.

Read more ›

March 24, 2006 Comments are Disabled News

Copyrighting Science

I’ve been remiss in posting links to of my two recent works on copyright reform.  Last spring I wrote a report on copyright reform and scientific research for the Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee.  The government has now posted Copyrighting Science: Canadian Copyright Reform and the Future of Scientific Research.  The […]

Read more ›

March 24, 2006 Comments are Disabled News, Scholarship

Privacy Commissioner Renews Research Program

The Privacy Commissioner of Canada has announced the renewal of a national privacy research program.  Details on priorities and the program here.

Read more ›

March 24, 2006 Comments are Disabled News

Telecom Policy Review Panel Calls For Net Neutrality Legal Safeguards

The Telecommunications Policy Review Panel report was released earlier this afternoon and while the immediate reaction will no doubt focus on the recommendations for a market-oriented approach with significant changes to the CRTC, I would call attention to three other recommendations gleaned from reading the executive summary (the full document is nearly 400 pages). 

First, the Panel has called for a new legislative provision protecting net neutrality standards.  The panel calls this an open access provision, with Recommendation 6-5 stating that:

"The Telecommunications Act should be amended to confirm the right of Canadian consumers to access publicly available Internet applications and content of their choice by means of all public telecommunications networks providing access to the Internet. This amendment should

(a) authorize the CRTC to administer and enforce these consumer access rights,
(b) take into account any reasonable technical constraints and efficiency considerations related to providing such access, and
(c) be subject to legal constraints on such access, such as those established in criminal, copyright and broadcasting laws."

Read more ›

March 22, 2006 Comments are Disabled News