The Canadian Press reports that Canada is ready to cave to European demands for changes to patent rules that could cost Canadians hundreds of millions of dollars in higher health care costs. The ministerial meeting on the remaining CETA issues is set for next week.
Articles by: Michael Geist
CRTC Launches Online Discussion on Wireless Code
The CRTC has launched an online discussion to foster greater debate among Canadians on a new code for wireless services. A public hearing is planned for next February.
What the New Copyright Law Means For You
More than a decade of debate over Canadian copyright reform came to a conclusion last week as Bill C-11, the fourth try at reform since 2005, formally took effect. While several elements of the bill still await further regulations, the biggest overhaul of Canadian copyright law in years is now largely complete.
My weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) notes the wholesale changes have left many Canadians wondering how the law will affect them, as they seek plain language about what they can do, what they can’t, and what consequences they could face should they run afoul of the law.
What the New Copyright Law Means For You
Appeared in the Toronto Star on November 11, 2012 as What the New Copyright Law Means For You More than a decade of debate over Canadian copyright reform came to a conclusion last week as Bill C-11, the fourth try at reform since 2005, formally took effect. While several elements […]
Supreme Court Voids Viagra Patent as Insufficient Disclosure Means It Fails the “Patent Bargain”
The Supreme Court of Canada this morning shocked the pharmaceutical industry by voiding Pfizer’s patent in Canada for Viagra. The unanimous decision provides a strong reaffirmation of the policy behind patent law, namely that patents represent a quid pro quo bargain of public disclosure of inventions in return for a time limited monopoly in the invention. The Supreme Court describes it in this way:
The patent system is based on a “bargain”, or quid pro quo: the inventor is granted exclusive rights in a new and useful invention for a limited period in exchange for disclosure of the invention so that society can benefit from this knowledge. This is the basic policy rationale underlying the Act. The patent bargain encourages innovation and advances science and technology.
Disclosure is therefore a crucial part of the patent bargain.
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Senate Bill Would Grant Government Regulatory Power to Mandate Age Verification For Search, Social Media and AI Services Accompanied By Threat of Court Ordered Blocking of Lawful Content
