Online Rights Canada, a joint initiative of EFF and CIPPIC, has launched an important new grassroots campaign on copyright reform. With Canadian musicians speaking out in favour of balance, ORC is ensuring that individual Canadians can easily have their voice heard as well. The campaign makes it easy to write […]
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SSHRC Backtracks on Open Access
Disappointing news from Peter Suber’s excellent Open Access blog, where he reports that the SSHRC has slowed down its quest to adopt open access principles into its research approach. In October 2004, SSHRC decided to move toward an open access approach that would increase access to its (publicly) funded research. Following consultations, the funding agency has now stated that "the idea of open access to all research is widely accepted, but presents a number of implementation obstacles, and the community is by and large cautious. Rather than imposing mandatory requirements on researchers to publish via open access, Council chose to increase awareness of open access, pursue discussions with major stakeholders, and gradually incorporate open access provisions in research support programs."
WIPO Broadcast Treaty Lurches Forward
Reports from Geneva indicate that five days of discussion at WIPO has led to a compromise on the proposed Broadcasting Treaty with a two-track approach that removes highly contentious webcast provisions from the conventional broadcast treaty. While this is good news, the entire broadcast treaty is a solution in search […]
The Census and Open Source
Several people have written to me about the federal government’s online census system, which is open only to Windows and Mac users. Russell provides a good analysis of the security issues raised by the approach.
Nova Scotia Latest Province to Tackle Patriot Act
David Fraser notes that Nova Scotia has become the latest province to introduce legislation designed to address the privacy concerns raised by the Patriot Act. B.C. and Alberta have also taken action.