Fair Dealing by Giulia Forsythe (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) https://flic.kr/p/dRkXwP

Fair Dealing by Giulia Forsythe (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) https://flic.kr/p/dRkXwP

Copyright

U.S. Pressure on Canadian IP Grows

Following on comments from U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins, U.S. Senators Feinstein and Cornyn, as well as the USTR's Special 301 Report, the U.S. Congressional International Anti-Piracy Caucus has joined the chorus of criticism against Canada on intellectual property law.  The Caucus released its annual report yesterday and while not yet […]

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May 18, 2007 2 comments News

Missing Mobilization

The Conservative government unveiled its science and technology strategy [pdf] titled Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage on Thursday in Waterloo, Ontario.  The lengthy document represents a missed opportunity for open access as the strategy raises issues that are directly relevant but fails to take the plunge.  For example, it emphasizes enhanced accountability and responsiveness of the three federal granting councils, yet focuses on internal management issues, rather than on research dissemination. The strategy also includes increased efforts to transfer technology from Canadian universities to the private sector.  Once again, there is an opportunity to consider open access approaches, however, the strategy instead commits to a review that "will include an assessment of whether a new approach to intellectual property management of university research is warranted." While neither of these statements preclude open access, a more explicit commitment would have given the issue some real momentum.

It is also worth noting that patent and copyright reform receive attention, with the government focusing on the need for a modern IP regime that balances incentives with access:

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May 17, 2007 1 comment News

El Matón del “Copyright”

The BBC offers a Spanish version of my recent column on the USTR's Special 301 report.

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May 17, 2007 Comments are Disabled News

Pandora Offline in Canada

Earlier this month, I blogged that Pandora would be blocking Canadian users.  While the company was able to stave that off for a couple of weeks, yesterday it started blocking Canadian users.

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May 17, 2007 8 comments News

Oda To Face Tough Questions

Canadian Heritage Minister Bev Oda will face hours of questioning this evening, with the Liberals claiming that they will ask some tough questions, including discussion of campaign donations. Update: Full transcript here.  No questions about copyright. Some discussion about expenses at the Juno awards and the lack of timely disclosure. 

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May 16, 2007 Comments are Disabled News