Articles by: Michael Geist

Copyright in the Balance This Week at the Supreme Court of Canada

Appeared in the Toronto Star on December 4, 2011 as Copyright in the Balance at the Supreme Court For most of the past hundred years, the Supreme Court of Canada heard the occasional copyright case with significant cases popping up once every ten or twenty years. That started to change […]

December 5, 2011 — 1 comment — Columns Archive

Tories Have Yet to Prove Case for E-Snooping Bill

The Globe’s John Ibbitson on why the government has not made the case for lawful access. Ibbitson reports that the lawful access legislation will be bundled into a single bill to be introduced later this month or early next year. Public Safety Minister Vic Toews issues a non-responsive response, as […]

December 5, 2011 — Comments are Disabled — News

The Daily Digital Lock Dissenter, Day 44: New Brunswick Public Library Service

The New Brunswick Public Library Service represents 61 public libraries throughout the province. Its submission to the 2009 copyright consultation included the following on digital locks:

The circumvention of a digital lock for non-infringing purposes should be permitted.

An exception should also be made to anti-circumvention clauses to ensure that access to government information, laws, and court cases are never inaccessible to Canadians. As citizens, we should have an inalienable right to access this information.

December 5, 2011 — Comments are Disabled — News

Swiss Government Says Copyright Enforcement Rules Sufficient

Switzerland has completed a major government study on whether new measures are need to address online copyright infringement. The study concludes that no new legislative action is needed, citing the high costs and negative effects of three strikes and you’re out policies. It is noteworthy that Switzerland participated in the […]

December 2, 2011 — 11 comments — News

The Daily Digital Lock Dissenter, Day 43: Campus Stores Canada

Campus Stores Canada, the national trade association of institutionally owned and operated campus stores, It has almost 100 member stores nationwide and more than 80 vendor and supplier associates. The organization appeared before the Bill C-32 committee and stated the following on digital locks:

It is important to underline that fair dealing and other educational gains are undermined with absolute digital lock protections. By allowing circumvention of digital locks for non-infringing reasons, legitimate research and uses are not unduly hindered and creators’ protection is maintained.

December 2, 2011 — Comments are Disabled — News