News

Grassroots Advocacy: Fix C-32

- 2010-06-07 -

We've looked at Bill C-32, the Copyright Modernization Act, and concluded that it's a case of Jekyll and Hyde: it's not all bad, but it certainly isn't all good. CIPPIC is prepared to support the Bill provided that Parliament fixes its worst, most unbalanced aspects - such as those dealing with digital locks. CIPPIC is calling on Canadians across the country to let their MPs know what is right and what is wrong with Bill C-32. Today, through our advocacy site, DigitalAgenda.ca, CIPPIC launches a Twitter campaign and an email-your-MP campaign designed to help Canadians do just that. We'll be adding to these initiatives in the coming weeks. It's up to all of us to demand of Parliament copyright laws that serve Canadians' interests.

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Copright Amendment Bill: Jekyll and Hyde

- 2010-06-02 -
The government of Canada has introduced its long-awaited amendments to the Copyright Act. Bill C-32, the Copyright Modernization Act, is a mix, imposing US-style anticircumvention laws while also introducing long-awaited user rights for things like time shifting and format shifting, a non-commercial user-generated content exception, and an extension of fair dealing to parody and satire and educational dealings. Unfortunately, the Bill also pulls these user rights back in the presence of a digital lock. The bill also addresses ISP liability and search engine liability, providing what a notice-and-notice scheme. All in all, the bill is a Jekyll and Hyde - flawed, but fixable.
- Copyright Modernization Act
- Industry Canada Media Release
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CIPPIC informs Facebook privacy adjustments are not up to par

- 2010-05-28 -
In response to Facebook's recent attempts to meet privacy concerns on its site, CIPPIC has sent Facebook a letter informing it that the changes it proposes are not adequate to meeting requirements of Canada's Privacy legislation. While CIPPIC commends Facebook on its attempts at making privacy controls somewhat more accessible, it is concerned that none of the underlying privacy issues on its site have been addressed. These concerns have been made clear in past documents issued by the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, including a Report of Findings and correspondence to Facebook Inc., as well as in CIPPIC's own statement of concern, sent to Facebook in February.
- CIPPIC: Letter to Facebook regarding attempt at privacy, May 28, 2010
- OPC: Correspondence with Facebook regarding proposed December privacy transition, obtained under ATI Request
  - Letter of November 13, 2009
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Government Punches Holes in Federal Privacy Legislation

- 2010-05-25 -
Today, the Government introduced Bill C-29, an Act intended to update Canada's federal privacy protection statute, PIPEDA. While the Act introduces much overdue data breach notification requirements, it also adds several gaping holes into what is currently a strong and important consumer privacy protection statute. This is most problematic in light of the ever-increasing amount of personal information held by private organizations in the digitized world.
- Bill C-29
- Government Backgrounder
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Anti-Spam Bill Re-Introduced

- 2010-05-25 -
The government has re-introduced the online consumer protection legislation that died when Parliament prorogued Parliament in December. The Fighting Internet and Wireless Spam Act (FISA), Bill C-28, is the reborn Electronic Commerce Protection Act (formerly Bill C-27). The new bill contains the same core protections as its predecessor.
- Bill C-28, The Fighting Internet and Wireless Spam Act
- Industry Canada, Government of Canada Moves to Enhance Safety and Security in the Online Marketplace
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Appeals Court Rules Consumer Research Qualifies for Fair Dealing

- 2010-05-14 -
The Federal Court of Appeal has affirmed the conclusion of the Copyright Board of Canada that consumer research qualifiies as "research" for the purposes of fair dealing. The Court concluded that "song preview" features of music download sites permit consumers to "research" prospective purchases, and so qualify for fair dealing.
- Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada v. Bell Canada, 2010 FCA 123
- Copyright Board Decision
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Government Launches Digital Economy Consultation

- 2010-05-10 -

The Government of Canada has launched national consultations on the development of a Canadian digital economy strategy. The consultation includes a + read more
PMO Decides: Canadian DMCA, No Flexible Fair Dealing

- 2010-05-05 -

Michel Geist is reporting that the Prime Minister's Office has ordered the crafting of a copyright bill featuring American-style anti-circumvention laws and ignoring the need for flexible fair dealing. The decision runs flatly counter to the bulk of public submissions to the copyright consultation of 2009. Geist states that the government intends to introduce the bill in June before the House rises for the summer recess.

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Court Decision Protects Online Anonymity

- 2010-05-03 -
The Ontario Divisional Court released a unanimous decision today that will protect the anonymity of online speakers. The court held that before the identity of anonymous online users accused of defamation can be revealed, the plaintiff must convince the court there is an adequate basis for ordering such disclosure. This overturns a lower court's decision that identities must be disclosed automatically.
- Warman v. Fournier
- CIPPIC's Factum
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International Group of Privacy Commissioners Call on Google to Ensure Privacy

- 2010-04-20 -
The Privacy Commissioner of Canada joined a group of data protection commissioners from across the world today in calling on Google to put in place processes to safeguard privacy rights in launches of future products.
- Letter to Google
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