The Canadian Internet Registration Authority, which manages the dot-ca domain, opens its board of directors election at noon ET today. CIRA members are eligible to vote from September 19th until September 26th, with five seats at stake – two member-nominated seats and three nominating-committee seats. I am on the ballot […]
Latest Posts
Dutch Government Says No CETA With ACTA Provisions
The Dutch government has confirmed that it will not sign a Canada – EU Trade Agreement that includes provisions found in the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement.
Will ACTA Ever Become a Valid Treaty?
IP Watch considers whether the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement has the necessary support to obtain six ratifications to take effect. Thus far, only Japan has ratified the agreement.
The Economist on Trade Deals and Patent Protection
The Economist speaks out on the dangers of using trade agreements to increase patent protections, stating that “America should not use trade deals to swaddle drugmakers in excessive patent protections.” The comments focus on India and the U.S, but could easily be applied to the Canada – EU Trade Agreement.
CRTC Places Consumers and Access at the Top of its Priority List
My weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) notes that with Jean-Pierre Blais installed as the new CRTC chair and the Conservatives emboldened by majority government, the Commission’s priorities send a message of change in Canadian communications policy. The days of emphasizing Canadian content rules or legislative overhauls are over, replaced by a consumer-oriented focus on affordable access to both content and connectivity services.
The CRTC priorities document identifies a single overarching objective: “ensuring that Canadians have access to a world-class communication system.” Given the myriad of policy objectives contained in both the Telecommunications Act and the Broadcasting Act, the singular focus on consumer access is a subtle but important change from the approach of the previous chair, Konrad von Finckenstein.
Recent Posts
Risky Business: The Legal and Privacy Concerns of Mandatory Age Verification Technologies 
Another Canadian Digital Policy Own Goal: Corporate TikTok Ban Leads to Millions in Lost Cultural Group Support 
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 239: The Rise and Fall of Canada’s Digital Services Tax 
Canada’s DST Debacle a Case Study of Digital Strategy Trouble 
Canadian Government Caves on Digital Services Tax After Years of Dismissing the Risks of Trade Retaliation
