The CRTC issued its universal service decision this week, which included analysis of funding mechanisms for broadband access, broadband speed targets, and whether there should be a requirement to provide broadband access as part of any basic service objective. Consumers groups and many observers were left disappointed. The CRTC declined […]
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CRTC Chair Calls on Broadcasters to Lobby For Legislative Reform
CRTC Chair Konrad von Finckenstein gave a speech to the Canadian broadcasting community yesterday in which he urged broadcasters and broadcast distributors to speak with one voice for legislative reform. Von Finckenstein presented his vision of a single communications statute (rather than separate Telecom Act and Broadcasting Act) that could […]
CRIA vs. CMPA on Canadian Copyright Reform
Billboard runs an article on the future of Canadian copyright reform that highlights the sharp divide between CRIA and much of the rest of the Canadian music industry. CRIA’s Graham Henderson says he believes 90% of Bill C-32 was agreed upon by the music industry. That comment led to a […]
Apple and Sony Privacy Woes Point to Legal Holes
My weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) notes that privacy officials have long warned about unseen consumer privacy risks, yet the issue has rarely generated significant political attention in Canada with potential reforms languishing for years without action. Recent high profile privacy incidents involving two of the world’s most popular consumer electronic companies – Apple and Sony – could help change that as millions of Canadians awaken to the privacy risks associated with undisclosed tracking and security breaches.
Supreme Court Grants Leave in K-12 Copyright Case
The Supreme Court of Canada has granted leave to appeal the Federal Court of Appeal decision involving copyright and K-12 schools, which specifically addressed fair dealing in the context of education. I wrote about the Federal Court of Appeal decision here.