There was a lengthy debate on the iPod levy in the House of Commons on Friday, including discussion on my appearance before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage the day before.
Fair Dealing by Giulia Forsythe (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) https://flic.kr/p/dRkXwP
Copyright
Toward an ACTA Super-Structure: How ACTA May Replace WIPO
[This post appears jointly here and at the PublicACTA site]
For the past two years, most of the ACTA discussion has centered on two issues: (1) substantive concerns such as the possibility of three strikes and a renegotiation of the WIPO Internet treaties; and (2) transparency issues. The leak of the comprehensive ACTA text highlights the fact that a third issue should be part of the conversation. The text reveals that ACTA is far more than a simple trade agreement. Rather, it envisions the establishment of a super-structure that replicates many of the responsibilities currently assumed by the World Intellectual Property Organization. Given the public acknowledgement by negotiating countries that ACTA is a direct response to perceived gridlock at WIPO, some might wonder whether ACTA is ultimately designed to replace WIPO as the primary source of international IP law and policy making.
Lessig and Goldsmith on ACTA’s Constitutional Concerns
Professors Larry Lessig and Jack Goldsmith published an op-ed in the Washington Post explaining why ACTA raises serious constitutional concerns in the United States.
New Media in Canada: My Appearance Before the Heritage Committee
Earlier today, I appeared before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage as its first witness on a new study on Canada and New Media. I've posted my opening remarks below, but the 90 minute discussion is much more interesting as it covered a wide range of issues from copyright to the iPod levy to networks to the digitization in Canada. An audio stream is available now and the transcript should come early next week.
Appearance before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage
March 25, 2010
Fair is Fair: Fix Fair Dealing Say Library, Education, Creator, and Consumer Groups
More than 25 library, education, creator, and consumer groups have issued a public letter calling on Industry Minister Tony Clement and Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore to adopt a flexible fair dealing approach. The letter argues for a "such as" approach to fair dealing by making the current list of […]
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