News

  • CIPPIC signs on to joint letter re: biometric passports
    - 2004-04-02 -
    CIPPIC joined with Privacy International, the American Civil Liberties Union and numerous other civil society organizations in calling on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to delay the adoption of RFID or biometric standards for travel documents until a full privacy assessment of such a policy is completed. Backgrounder.
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  • CIPPIC claims victory after Federal Court denies CRIA request for subscriber identities
    - 2004-03-31 -
    The Federal Court today issued its decision on the Canadian recording industry (CRIA)\'s request for disclosure by ISPs of the identities of 29 alleged file-sharers, ruling that CRIA had failed to make out a prima facie case of copyright infringement sufficient to outweigh the privacy interests of Internet users. Justice von Finckenstein went on to rule that downloading for personal use and merely making copyrighted songs available to others via one\'s computer does not constitute copyright infringement. Court Decision Decision as reported on CanLII CIPPIC News Release
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  • Federal Court denies CRIA request for subscriber identities
    - 2004-03-31 -
    The Federal Court today issued its decision on the Canadian recording industry (CRIA)\'s request for disclosure by ISPs of the identities of 29 alleged file-sharers, ruling that CRIA had failed to make out a prima facie case of copyright infringement sufficient to outweigh the privacy interests of Internet users. Justice von Finckenstein went on to rule that downloading for personal use and merely making copyrighted songs available to others via one\'s computer does not constitute copyright infringement. Court Decision Decision as reported on CanLII CIPPIC News Release
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  • CIPPIC argues for ISP subscriber privacy
    - 2004-03-15 -
    CIPPIC was in court today arguing that the recording industry\'s request to get information on alleged file-swappers from Internet Service Providers should be denied. On March 12th, the court heard from the record companies and the Internet Service providers. Shaw and TELUS argued that the plaintiffs\' evidence was seriously deficient, and that the request should not be granted. Today, the court heard from CIPPIC, represented by lawyers Howard Knopf (of Macera & Jarzyna) and Alex Cameron (LL.M. candidate at UofO), on why the court should apply a high threshold test to requests of this kind, and how the plaintiffs have failed to make out a prima facie case of copyright infringement in this case. The judge, Mr. Justice von Finckenstein, indicated that he would make a ruling as soon as possible, and likely by the end of the week. Jason Young\'s blog of court hearings.
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  • CIPPIC files argument in file-sharing case
    - 2004-03-05 -
    CIPPIC filed its Memorandum of Argument today in Federal Court on the file-sharing litigation brought by the Canadian recording industry last month. We are arguing that the court should apply a high threshold test to the request for disclosure of subscriber identity, and that the record industry has failed to establish any case of copyright infringement. CIPPIC will be making oral arguments at the hearing in Toronto on March 12, 2004.
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  • Supreme Court rules in favour of copyright users
    - 2004-03-04 -
    The Supreme Court of Canada released its decision today in the Law Society of Upper Canada v. CCH Limited case. The court found that the fair dealing/research exception under the Copyright Act should be liberally interpreted to ensure that users\' rights are not unduly constrained. In a discussion that could impact digital copyright issues, the court also held that the LSUC did not infringe copyright by providing self-service copiers, ruling that a person does not authorize infringement by authorizing the mere use of equipment that could be used to infringe copyright. Commentary on Decision by Prof. M. Geist
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  • CIPPIC granted leave to intervene in file-sharing case
    - 2004-03-01 -
    After a court hearing today, CIPPIC was granted leave to intervene in the lawsuits brought by the Canadian recording industry against alleged online music file-sharers. Electronic Frontier Canada was also granted leave to intervene. Both organizations are to file written submissions by Friday, March 5th, on the test to be applied by the Court to the industry requests for disclosure of subscriber identities, on due process and privacy rights of the unnamed defendants, and on whether the industry has made out a prima facie case of infringement under the Copyright Act. CIPPIC will argue the points at the oral hearing to be held in Toronto on Friday, March 12th. News Release Order granting leave to intervene
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  • CIPPIC applies for leave to intervene in file-sharing case
    - 2004-02-26 -
    CIPPIC filed an application for leave to intervene in the file-sharing lawsuits in Federal Court today. We are concerned that important issues involving the test for ordering disclosure of subscriber identities -i.e., the standard that the record industry must meet before it can obtain this information - will not be fully addressed by Internet Service Providers, who have their own interests distinct from those of defendants and public interest groups. We are asking the Court to allow us to make representations on important points of law in this precedent-setting case. Electronic Frontier Canada has also applied for leave to intervene. The hearing on our motions is scheduled for Monday, March 1st in Toronto. Notice of Motion Requested Order Supporting Affidavit Written Representations
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  • CRIA sues to get subscriber IDs from ISPs; Shaw stands up for subscriber privacy and due process
    - 2004-02-13 -
    The Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) launched its offensive against music file-sharers in Canada this week. Having filed a number of "John Doe" lawsuits, CRIA is trying to get ISPs to disclose the contact information for subscribers associated with over 20 IP addresses that have allegedly been engaged in heavy file uploading. Of the four targeted ISPs (Bell, Shaw, Rogers, Videotron), Shaw has said that it will fight the requests; Telus will ask for more time so that the targeted individuals have an opportunity to challenge CRIA\'s requests. CIPPIC has called on all ISPs to follow Shaw\'s lead. See CIPPIC\'s webpage on File Sharing for more info.
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  • CIPPIC calls on ISPs to protect subscriber privacy
    - 2004-02-13 -
    CIPPIC calls on ISPs to follow Shaw\'s lead and stand up for their subscribers\' rights to privacy and due process, as the recording industry seeks to discover the identity of alleged file-sharers. News Release.
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