The much-anticipated UK Gowers Report[pdf] on IP is out. On the copyright front, the report recommends no extension in the term of copyright for sound recordings, no retrospective term extension, a limited private copying right for format shifting with no accompanying levy, an expansion of fair dealing, private copying for […]
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Canadian Documentary Film Makers Speak Out on Copyright
Another enormously important Canadian group has spoken out on copyright. The Documentary Organization of Canada, which represents more than 650 independent documentary film makers, has jumped into the copyright debate with a public letter to the Ministers, a background white paper that assesses the legal environment for documentary film makers, […]
Canadian Heritage and Canadian Artists
In May of this year, Canadian Heritage Minister Bev Oda delivered the keynote address to the Professional Writers Association of Canada. Oda acknowledged that "that freelance writers are one of the groups most concerned with Canada’s copyright policy." While Oda's appearance at the PWAC event might be seen as evidence that she is sympathetic with the concerns of Canadian writers, action speaks louder than words. Last week, Oda released her response to a Senate report on the Canadians news media. One of the Senate recommendations dealt specifically with copyright and freelance writers:
That the Minister of Canadian Heritage examine whether there is any abuse of author's rights in the requirements imposed by universal contracts and, if so, explore amendments to the Copyright Act.
Oda's response?
PIPEDA Hearings – Day 05 (CMA, FETCO)
Today marked the fifth day of PIPEDA hearings with the Canadian Marketing Association and FETCO (Federally Regulated Employers Transportation and Communication) taking centre stage. The gist of today's discussion from the witnesses – no order making power, cautious approach on security breach disclosure, and cut back on employee privacy rights. The MPs have begun to settle into specific issues with the Conservative members focused on the compliance costs, while the opposition members more receptive to enhanced privacy rights within PIPEDA. Shiran Sabari provides a complete look at the discussion:
Reuters and Yahoo Jump on Citizen Journalism Bandwagon
The NY Times has the details.