The Canadian Press reports that several provinces have written to the federal government to express concern over the Canada – EU Trade Agreement intellectual property provisions and the potential increase in drug costs that may result. The provinces are demanding compensation of Canada caves to EU demands on drug patents.
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Copyright Board Ruling Attracts Global Attention
A recent Copyright Board of Canada ruling that establishes a second tariff for music played at weddings, parades, and other events is attracting international attention. Howard Knopf assesses the multiple payments now required for music played at a single event.
Ottawa Citizen Covers Access Copyright Model Licence
The Ottawa Citizen covers the decision being faced by the University of Ottawa and Carleton University over whether to sign the Access Copyright model licence.
EP Committees Reject ACTA As Backlash Against Secretive IP Agreements Continues to Grow
The strength of the anti-ACTA movement within the European Parliament is part of a broader backlash against secretive intellectual property agreements that are either incorporated into broad trade agreements or raise critical questions about prioritizing IP enforcement over fundamental rights. This week the Dutch Parliament voted against ratifying the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, a move that some experts say could effectively kill ACTA (which is a “mixed agreement”) throughout Europe. In addition to the two anti-ACTA resolutions, the Dutch Parliament passed a third resolution against similar treaties:
The House of Representatives,
– observes that treaties like ACTA lead to a further formalization of copyrights rules on the international level,
– observes that such treaties are very difficult to modify and as a result can be an extra impediment for future reforms of copyright law,
– observes that strict enforcement of intellectual property on the internet is no solution for the ongoing difficulties regarding copyright law and interferes with internet freedom,
– requests the government to vote against new similar treaties,
– requests the government to focus the copyright policy on economic growth opportunities offered by the internet through, amongst others things, new revenue models for legal content.
The opposition to ACTA and ACTA-style treaties (which obviously include the Trans Pacific Partnership and bi-lateral agreements such as CETA) is part of a growing international trend as elected officials and independent policy officials around the world voice their objection to these treaties.
University of Ottawa Professors’ Union Urges Rejection of Access Copyright Model Licence
The Association of Professors of the University of Ottawa is urging the University of Ottawa to reject the Access Copyright model licence. The APUO states: APUO urges the University of Ottawa not to take the easier, but more costly step of paying an unaccountable and non-transparent licensing agency. In the […]
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