Latest Posts

The Risks and Rewards of Data Retention

My weekly Law Bytes column (Toronto Star version, freely available version, BBC version) examines the U.S. Department of Justice’s demand for search data from the world’s leading search engines.  I argue that while much of the focus has been on the privacy implications of the USDOJ request, the story highlights […]

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January 30, 2006 2 comments Columns

Leading Canadian Music Label Challenges RIAA Lawsuits

Nettwerk Music Group, Canada's leading privately owned record label (and a label that refuses to use copy-controls), has taken the remarkable step of joining the fight against the RIAA's strategy of lawsuits against alleged file sharers.  The company, which represents some of Canada's top artists including Sarah McLachlan, Avril Lavigne, […]

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January 26, 2006 17 comments News

New Yahoo Case Raises Old Questions

My weekly Law Bytes column (Toronto Star version, freely available version, BBC International version) examines the recent 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Yahoo decision involving the long-running battle over Internet jurisdiction. I argue that while the legal and jurisdictional implications are important, the Internet considerations highlight the complexity associated with […]

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January 25, 2006 Comments are Disabled Columns

Lessons Learned

The Bulte story is generating considerable media attention today (Canadian Press, Globeandmail.com, IT Business) as the "bloggers influence the election" angle is an attractive one.  This obviously continues the theme from last week when Macleans, Toronto Star, National Post, and Globe and Mail all discussed the same issue (as did […]

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January 24, 2006 9 comments News

Fighting for the Right to Fund Politicians

Almost lost amidst the aftermath of yesterday's election is a letter to the editor from CRIA General Counsel Richard Pfohl.  It would appear that CRIA wants to fight for more than just U.S. style copyright reform.  They also want to fight for the right to provide campaign contributions to politicians […]

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January 24, 2006 2 comments News