David Canton's latest column in the London Free Press warns government about being careful what is wishes for on copyright.
Fair Dealing by Giulia Forsythe (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) https://flic.kr/p/dRkXwP
Copyright
Calgary Man Receives Fine Under Illegal Camcording Conviction
A Calgary man has become the first person convicted under the Criminal Code's new anti-camcording provision. The man received a $1,495 fine and was placed on probation for one year. He is also prohibited from possessing any video recording equipment outside his home during the probation. The Canadian Motion Pictures […]
Canadian Government Re-Launches ACTA Consultations
The Canadian government has re-launched its consultation on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement. The last consultation was conducted in the spring. While the government did not release the results of that consultation, I recently reported on the findings based on documents obtained under the Access to Information Act. The new consultation […]
Pre-Judging James Moore
Billboard runs a story today titled Canadian Biz Raises Concerns About Government Appointment. The article features music industry criticisms of new Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore, with comments of the "fox running the chicken house" and that the appointment is "a kick in the head of Quebec for not supporting Harper." Those unwarranted criticisms suggest that Moore will not be sensitive to music industry demands since he has a broadcasting background and is not from Quebec.
Both of these criticisms are off-the-mark. First, a broadcast background increasingly appears to be a pre-requisite for the position – Josee Verner, Bev Oda, and Liza Frulla all came from the broadcast industry and no one would accuse them of siding against the music industry. Second, the notion that a Heritage minister must come from Quebec is also wrong – Sheila Copps is widely viewed as the most influential Heritage minister in recent times and she was from Hamilton.
The reality is that it is far too early to cast judgment on the appointment.
Broadcasters Win Right To Reduce Ad Production Costs From Royalty Payments
Bloomberg reports that Canadian radio stations have won a federal court decision that will allow them to exclude production costs of radio commercials from the amount on which royalties must be paid. SOCAN fears that the decision could result in the loss of millions of dollars in payments.
Recent Posts
“Big Brother Tactics”: Why Bill C-2’s New Warrantless Disclosure Demand Powers Extend Far Beyond Internet and Telecom Providers 
Government Seeks To Exempt Political Parties From Privacy Laws Even As CRTC Reports They Are Leading Source of Spam Complaints 
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 236: Robert Diab on the Return of Lawful Access 
Government Remains Silent as it Eviscerates Political Party Privacy in Canada By Fast Tracking Bill C-4 
Quebec’s Streaming Regulation Bill 109: Unconstitutional, Unnecessary, and Unworkable
