The IP and Counterfeiting Caucus promoted by Liberal MP Dan McTeague appears to be gaining traction. The first meeting is set for next Wednesday with a visit to the U.S. presumably not far behind.
Canadian Heritage Memorandum, December 8, 2020, ATIP A-2020-00498
Bill C-10
“Would You Risk Her Life?”
The Toronto Star has been the home of several columns I've written over the past year that focus on counterfeiting and the need for a bit of perspective (overblown claims column, misleading RCMP data column). I'm grateful for that venue and the paper's support for varying perspectives on the issue. […]
Groups Raise Counterfeiting Fears
Several groups, led by the Canadian Anti-Counterfeiting Network, held a press conference yesterday to trumpet concerns associated with counterfeiting. The article notes that the RCMP will no longer commit to a specific counterfeiting figure, but believes that the cost is in the billions.
Is ACTA the New WIPO?
It has been readily apparent for a number of months now that "counterfeiting and piracy" is the new focal point for intellectual property policy reform. With global conferences, legislative hearings in national capitals, and new anti-counterfeiting coalitions, copyright lobby groups have jumped on the anti-counterfeiting bandwagon. While the claims regularly […]
Ministers Respond to Industry Committee Counterfeiting Report
Four government ministers – Day (Public Safety), Prentice (Industry), Emerson (International Trade), and Nicholson (Justice) – have issued their response to last spring's Industry Committee counterfeiting report that included 19 recommendations for reform including stronger penalties, WIPO ratification, and increased border enforcement. The letter, which interestingly does include Canadian Heritage Minister Josee Verner, avoids addressing each specific recommendation as the Committee requested, choosing instead to offer some general words of support for anti-counterfeiting measures.
The letter rightly focuses first on concerns associated with health and safety. The letter continues by noting that the Government's first step in its IPR strategy has already been taken with the passage of last spring's anti-camcording legislation. Moreover, it adds that there is ongoing inter-departmental work on strengthening IP enforcement.
Looking ahead, the letter again confirms that the DMCA is headed to Canada, stating that:
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