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CRTC Should Put Consumers First and Drop ‘Must Carry’ Requirements

Canadians frustrated with ever-increasing cable and satellite bills received bad news last week with the announcement that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission will consider whether to require cable and satellite companies to include nearly two-dozen niche channels as part of their basic service packages.  If approved, the new broadcast distribution rules would significantly increase monthly cable bills with consumers forced to pay for channels they may not want.

My weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) notes that two issues sit at the heart of the broadcast distribution rules.  First, whether the CRTC should grant any broadcaster mandatory distribution across all cable and satellite providers such that all subscribers are required to pay for them as part of their basic packages. Second, in the absence of mandatory distribution, whether broadcast distributors should be required to at least offer the services so that consumers have the option of subscribing.

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January 29, 2013 35 comments Columns

European Commission Provides Update on Canada – EU Trade Agreement Agricultural Provisions

The European Commission has posted a public update on the status of the agricultural provisions in the proposed Canada – EU Trade Agreement. The EC says the goal is to conclude the agreement at a Ministerial meeting in Ottawa on February 7th, though reports suggest that may be overly optimistic.  The state of the agricultural provisions is described as follows:

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January 28, 2013 2 comments News

Complying With Canada’s Anti-Spam Law: Just Ask For Consent

While there is no shortage of fear mongering about Canada’s anti-spam legislation, Ottawa-based law firm LaBarge Weinstein recently demonstrated what most organizations need to do in order to comply with the law as Canada transitions to an opt-in consent requirement for commercial messaging. The key requirement for those companies that […]

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January 24, 2013 13 comments News

Colombian Constitutional Court Strikes Down Copyright Reforms

The Colombian Constitutional court has struck down several copyright provisions on constitutionality grounds, including the country’s new anti-circumvention (digital lock) rules.

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January 24, 2013 Comments are Disabled News

PIAC Calls For Better Disclosure on Internet Speeds

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre has issued a report that concludes that Canadian ISPs need to provide better disclosure about Internet speed and performance claims.

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January 24, 2013 5 comments News