Michael Geist

Latest Posts

Information Commissioner Calls for Reinstatement of CAIRS

The Information Commissioner of Canada has called for the reinstatement of the CAIRS database, which provided access to past information requests. She notes rightly notes that the government could – and should – go much further than sites such as CAIRS.Info, which I launched a couple of years ago.

November 11, 2010 — 1 comment — News

UK Court to Review Digital Economy Act

BT and TalkTalk, two leading UK ISPs, have won judicial review of the Digital Economy Act, which contains graduated response provisions. The court will assess whether the law conflicts with EU legislation.

November 11, 2010 — 1 comment — News

In Search of A Compromise on Copyright

Last week marked the return of the copyright debate to the House of Commons as Bill C-32 entered second reading. Six months after its introduction, it became immediately apparent that all three opposition parties will be seeking changes to the bill in return for their support. My op-ed in the Hill Times (Hill Times version, homepage version) notes that three issues stand out as the most contentious: digital locks, fair dealing reform, and the extension of the private copying levy.

Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore was quick to criticize opposition concerns, but garnering the requisite votes to pass the legislation will require compromise. The good news is that there may be a path to finding common ground on each issue.

November 10, 2010 — 41 comments — Columns

CPCC: Conservative Party “Hate People Who Make Art”

David Basskin, a director with the Canadian Private Copying Collective, offers startling comments regarding Bill C-32, stating that “we’re really at a loss to understand the capacity of the Conservative party to hate people who make art.”

November 10, 2010 — 6 comments — News