Search Results for "Law Bytes" : 862

Canadian ISPs Fall Short In Meeting Net Neutrality Requirements

Last fall, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission issued its much-anticipated Internet traffic management ruling, better known as the net neutrality decision. The case attracted national interest as the CRTC established several key requirements for Canada’s Internet providers.

These included new transparency obligations that forced ISPs to disclose their network management practices, such as why the practices were introduced, who will be affected, when it will occur, and how it will impact users' Internet experiences (down to the specific impact on speeds). The CRTC also opened the door to complaints about network management practices by establishing a test that any harm to users be as little as reasonably possible.

Several months later, Canada's ISPs have had ample time to comply with the new requirements, yet my weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, Ottawa Citizen version, homepage version) reviews the policies from the biggest ISPs – including Bell Canada, Rogers Communications Inc., Shaw Communications Inc., Telus, Cogeco Inc., and Groupe Vidéotron – and reveals a decidedly mixed bag.

February 16, 2010 — 13 comments — Columns

Canadian ISPs Fall Short in Meeting Net Neutrality Rules

Appeared in the Toronto Star on February 15, 2010 as ISPs Fall Short on Net Neutrality Rules Last fall, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission issued its much-anticipated Internet traffic management ruling, better known as the net neutrality decision. The case attracted national interest as the CRTC established several key […]

February 16, 2010 — Comments are Disabled — Columns Archive

Ontario Court Rules Consumers Can’t Click Away Class Action Rights

In 2004, Ian Andrews purchased a Dell laptop computer for $1,700. About 2 1/12 years later, the computer began to malfunction, periodically shutting down unexpectedly. Stuck with a problem computer that was past the standard warranty period, Andrews complained to Dell. The computer giant responded that the online contract governing the initial purchase required him to resolve the dispute by arbitration.

Andrews recognized this was not a realistic approach, later stating that as a university student he was not in a financial position to retain counsel to support an arbitration claim. Instead, he chose a different course of action, suing the company as part of a class action lawsuit that brought together thousands of consumers experiencing similar problems.

Dell challenged the class action suit, but as my weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) notes, last month the Ontario Court of Appeal sided with Andrews, ruling that it could proceed.

February 9, 2010 — 4 comments — Columns

Ontario Court Rules Consumers Can’t Click Away Class Action Rights

Appeared in the Toronto Star on February 8, 2010 as Dell Warranty Ruling Victory for Consumers In 2004, Ian Andrews purchased a Dell laptop computer for $1,700. About 2 1/12 years later, the computer began to malfunction, periodically shutting down unexpectedly. Stuck with a problem computer that was past the […]

February 9, 2010 — 1 comment — Columns Archive

CBC.ca and iCopyright

There is lots of coverage of the CBC.ca's use of the iCopyright system. I reference it in this week's column as an example of what a publicly funded institution should not be doing. The most comprehensive coverage comes from Cameron McMaster at the Canadian Media Policy Portal here and here.

February 1, 2010 — 5 comments — News