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Canadians Face Triple Lock on Apple iPhone

Amid rumours that Apple is scaling back on its delivery of the iPhone to Rogers, my weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) focuses on the Canadian debut this week of the Apple iPhone. The arrival of a Canadian iPhone is expected to generate long lines at Rogers Wireless stores, though the pre-launch publicity has not been particularly smooth for the company.  Its announcement of iPhone service pricing set off a wave of online protest, as consumers noted the absence of an unlimited data plan, higher prices, and longer contractual commitments.  The Rogers offer is not particularly surprising.  Canada ranks toward the very bottom among developed countries for cellphone penetration as the lack of competition leaves Canadians with some of the highest prices for wireless services in the world.  Indeed, Rogers has a monopoly on the iPhone since it is the only Canadian carrier currently capable of carrying the device.

Most of the public criticism has focused on the uncompetitive data rates that render it difficult to maximize the iPhone’s potential.  Yet the bigger story is how the Canadian version of the device features a triple lock that is the result of onerous contracts, technological locks, and a legislative proposal from Industry Minister Jim Prentice that simultaneously locks consumers in, while locking the competition out.

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July 7, 2008 26 comments Columns

CBC Radio Coverage of Prentice Breakfast

The CBC Radio report on the Fair Copyright presence at the Prentice Stampede Breakfast has been posted online.

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July 7, 2008 Comments are Disabled News

Nobel Laureates Fear IPR Stifles Innovation

IP Watch reports on a recent speech from two Nobel Prize laureates on how intellectual property protection is closing down access to knowledge.

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July 7, 2008 Comments are Disabled News

Toronto Gallery Features Exhibit Highlighting C-61’s Dangers

BlogTO notes that the Edward Day Gallery in Toronto is currently exhibiting a new show called "Appropos," featuring appropriation art. The Gallery says: The Appropos group exhibition is based on the work of artists whose use of imagery integrates existing popular culture products/icons. One of the purposes of the exhibition […]

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July 5, 2008 8 comments News
Fair Copyright on the Menu at Prentice Stampede Breakfast

Fair Copyright on the Menu at Prentice Stampede Breakfast

The first photos have begun to appear online from this morning's Prentice Stampede Breakfast in Calgary.  By early accounts, a strong crowd (including some media) attended with signs, t-shirts, and handouts to increase awareness of Bill C-61 and to have a chance to to speak directly with Industry Minister Jim […]

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July 5, 2008 4 comments News