This week negotiations continue on the Canada – EU Trade Agreement. I've previously posted a copy of the CETA Intellectual Property chapter. Yesterday, nine other chapters leaked, including the telecommunications chapter.
Latest Posts
AP on ACTA
The Associated Press has a story on ACTA and the growing concern from the technology community with the agreement.
World Trademark Review on ACTA and WIPO
The World Trademark Review has an interesting post on the opportunity for WIPO to re-engage in ACTA, following a request for answers from Members of the European Parliament.
Open Government Moving in Parallel But Opposite Directions
Suzanne Legault, Canada’s Interim Information Commissioner, and Michael Mulley, a Montreal-based software programmer, may occupy different worlds, but my weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) notes that last week both placed an important spotlight on open and transparent government.
Legault is responsible for administering the Access to Information Act and last week her office warned that inadequate resources and lengthy delays were causing enormous damage to access to information rights in Canada. Legault released a 154-page report that gave below average or failing grades to the majority of the 24 government departments she reviewed.
The implication of a broken access to information system extends to virtually every policy area. For example, Canadian Heritage and Industry Canada typically lead on policies involving broadcasting and new media. While Industry Canada received a solid "B" grade, handling a 93% increase in requests relatively smoothly, the first review for Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore’s department yielded an "F" grade.
Canwest on Canadian Copyright Reform Plans
Canwest has a feature on the government's plans for copyright reform. The piece confirms that a bill is coming this spring. It also quotes an industry source as saying that plans to adopt a more liberal system have been dropped after lobbying from music, movie, and copyright collectives.
Recent Posts
Carney’s Digital Recalibration: How the Government is Trending Away from Justin Trudeau’s Digital Policy 
Let Competition Be the Guide: Why the Government and CRTC Got It Right on Wholesale Fibre Broadband Access 
Commentary: Ensuring the Sovereignty and Security of Canadian Health Data 
The Law Bytes Podcast Law Society of Ontario CPD Professionalism Pack 
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 242: Sukesh Kamra on Law Firm Adoption of Artificial Intelligence and Innovative Technologies
