Post Tagged with: "copyright"

Canadian Labour Congress IP Resolution – An Update

Last week, I posted on a Canadian Labour Congress resolution on intellectual property that raised significant concerns for many groups. The CLC advises that the resolution did not pass. Instead, the executive council of the CLC, on the advice of the union introducing the motion, directed the President to set […]

February 12, 2009 — 3 comments — News

Moore Says Copyright Reform Bill Likely in the Fall

Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore appeared before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage yesterday. Liberal MP Scott Simms asked specific questions about the future of Canadian copyright reform. Moore confirmed the shared responsibility for copyright with Industry Minister Tony Clement. He indicated that the timing for a new bill was still being worked out, but that the fall was more likely than the spring. He also acknowledged some of the concerns associated with Bill C-61, though argued that it moved in the "right direction."

Moore's opening remarks are also noteworthy, since they demonstrate that the Clement – Moore duo may be the most technologically savvy Ministers in the Industry – Heritage portfolios in recent memory. Notes Moore:

February 10, 2009 — 2 comments — News

Peeking Behind Canada’s Copyright Complaint Against China at the WTO

Late last month, the World Trade Organization released a much-anticipated decision involving a U.S.-led complaint against China over its intellectual property laws. Canada was among a number of countries that participated in the case, which alleged that China’s domestic laws, border measures, and criminal penalties for intellectual property violations do not comply with its international treaty obligations.

On April 25, 2007, David Emerson, then the Minister of International Trade, issued a press release announcing Canada's participation, stating that it was "based on concerns expressed by Canadian stakeholders on a range of issues related to China's intellectual property rights regime." Yet, as reported in my weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) according to dozens of internal Canadian government documents obtained under the Access to Information Act, Canadian officials, unable to amass credible evidence of harm to Canadian interests, harboured significant doubts about the wisdom of joining the case and ultimately did so only under the weight of great pressure from the United States.

February 9, 2009 — 10 comments — Columns

Peeking Behind the Wall of Canada’s Copyright Complaint Against China

Appeared in the Toronto Star on February 9, 2009 as Scaling Wall Over Canada's Trade Complaint Against China Late last month, the World Trade Organization released a much-anticipated decision involving a U.S.-led complaint against China over its intellectual property laws. Canada was among a number of countries that participated in […]

February 9, 2009 — Comments are Disabled — Columns Archive

Canadian Labour Congress Considers Major Reversal on IP Policy

Reliable sources report that the Canadian Labour Congress is set to consider a policy resolution that would dramatically alter its approach on copyright and intellectual property policy. The resolution will apparently be brought forward to the Congress Executive Council next Monday with the possibility of consideration by the full CLC Council immediately thereafter. It should be noted that the CLC has traditionally recognized the need for a balanced approach and that support for ratification of the WIPO Internet treaties comes primarily from U.S. pressure.

For example, consider the CLC's comments on IP policy within the context of the Security Prosperity Partnership with the United States and Mexico. Following the Montebello meeting in 2007, the CLC said the following:

February 4, 2009 — 19 comments — News