Articles by: Michael Geist

Consumers International Releases 2012 IP Watch List

With the USTR Special 301 report slated for release next week, Consumers International has released its annual IP Watch List. It adopts a consumer-oriented perspective, as the best-rated countries tend to be those with the broadest copyright limitations, that allow enough room for innovative reuse of content, and the free […]

April 24, 2012 — 3 comments — News

French Circumvent Twitter Ban on Election Results

The NY Times reports on how Twitter users in France circumvented a law prohibiting the early publication of election results over the weekend. Canadians faced a similar ban during the last election, but the government has since announced plans to change the law.

April 24, 2012 — 4 comments — News

Backlash Against Academic Publishing Continues to Grow

The backlash against the current academic publishing continues to grow, with the Harvard Library’s Faculty Advisory Council finding that “large journal publishers have made the scholarly communication environment fiscally unsustainable and academically restrictive” and promoting open access alternatives. Meanwhile, the Guardian featured an article on the issue over the weekend, […]

April 24, 2012 — Comments are Disabled — News

Other People’s Money: Why AUCC Signed the Most Expensive Copyright Insurance Policy in Cdn History

Appeared in the Toronto Star on April 22, 2012 as The most expensive copyright insurance policy in Canadian history Car rental companies are infamous for encouraging customers to sign up for expensive liability insurance policies. Since many renters already have coverage from their own automotive insurance policies or can rely […]

April 24, 2012 — Comments are Disabled — Columns Archive

Public Safety Links Telecom Foreign Investment with Lawful Access

Last week, I posted on the Public Safety Canada seeming attempt to circumvent the government’s spectrum consultation by submitting dual letters – a public letter expressing mild concern with foreign ownership and a secret letter warning of “considerable risks”. While that approach raises serious concerns that undermine public confidence in the consultation process, Public Safety’s detailed response (which is available on the Industry Canada site) anticipates the fight over Bill C-30 by specifically claiming that opening the Canadian telecom sector to foreign competition increases the necessity of lawful access legislation:

April 23, 2012 — 1 comment — News