Articles by: Michael Geist

Considering C-8: My Appearance Before the Industry Committee on the Anti-Counterfeiting Bill

I appeared yesterday before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology for a hearing on Bill C-8, the anti-counterfeiting bill that has been placed on the legislative fast-track by the government. The panel also featured representatives from the Canadian Anti-Counterfeiting Network, the Canadian Standards Association, and the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada. The hearing was cut short by a vote in the House of Commons, but there was still an opportunity for a ten minute opening presentation and to address a few questions from the committee members. My prepared remarks are posted below. Given time constraints and the comments of the other panel members, there were some adjustments (I omitted the first section on the scope of counterfeiting and noted that fellow panel members proposed the precise amendments I was discussing).

November 7, 2013 — 2 comments — Committees, News

Statscan Data Points to Canada’s Growing Digital Divide

Statistics Canada released its bi-ennial Internet use survey last week and while much of the immediate reaction focused on the continuing growth of Internet use (due largely to increased usage by those aged 65 and older), my weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) argues the bigger story is the ongoing Canadian digital divide that confirms the strong link between household income and Internet use.

Statscan reports that 83 per cent of Canadians use the Internet, yet a closer examination of the data reveals a significant gap that is closely correlated to income. Moreover, the data also shows that Canada’s high wireless prices now play a role in the digital divide, with only a quarter of lower-income Canadians using Internet wireless services.

November 5, 2013 — 5 comments — Columns

Statscan Data Points to Canada’s Growing Digital Divide

Appeared in the Toronto Star on November 2, 2013 as Statscan Data Points to Canada’s Growing Digital Divide Statistics Canada released its bi-ennial Internet use survey this week and while much of the immediate reaction focused on the continuing growth of Internet use (due largely to increased usage by those […]

November 3, 2013 — Comments are Disabled — Columns Archive

CRTC Launches Wireless Roaming Fee Task Force

The Globe reports that the CRTC has escalated its investigation into wireless roaming fees by creating a special task force to examine the issue and present regulatory options for consideration by the Commission next month.

November 1, 2013 — Comments are Disabled — News