News

  • CAIP v. SOCAN - facta and blog of hearing
    - 2003-12-05 -
    The Supreme Court of Canada heard arguments on Dec.3, 2003 from Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and music industry representatives in an important case that will decide, among other things, the extent to which Canadian ISPs are liable for content flowing through their networks, and the extent to which foreign actors who target communications to Canadians may be liable under the Canadian Copyright Act. Dubbed the "Tariff 22 case" in recognition of its genesis in the proposed copyright tariff designed to compensate rights holders for music downloaded over the Internet, CAIP v. SOCAN is expected to have wide-ranging implications for the Internet and electronic commerce generally. See CIPPIC student Jason Young\'s blog of the hearing for a first-hand account. CAIP et al Factum CAIP et al Reply Factum SOCAN Factum
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  • CIPPIC comments on proposed investigative bodies under PIPEDA
    - 2003-11-24 -

    CIPPIC filed comments on Industry Canada's proposed new "investigative bodies" under Protection of Personal Information and Electronic Documents Act ("PIPEDA"), arguing that the criteria for "investigative body" status need to be much more clear and rigorous, and that at least one of the applications should be denied. Under the Act, designated "investigative bodies" can receive and disclose personal information without the knowledge or consent of the individuals concerned. PIPEDA Submission HTML version

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  • Groups call for fair information practices for RFIDs
    - 2003-11-20 -
    CIPPIC joins a global coalition of privacy and consumer advocacy groups in calling for a framework of Fair Information Practices to govern the collection of data through RFID (radio frequency identification) technology in the marketplace. The position statement is a response to the threat that the growing use of RFID poses to consumer privacy and civil liberties.
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  • CIPPIC and others call on ICANN to limit use of WHOIS database
    - 2003-10-28 -
    Together with over 50 consumer and civil liberties groups from around the world, CIPPIC called on ICANN to limit the use of the WHOIS database to its original purpose (i.e., the resolution of technical network issues), and to ensure that personal data in the WHOIS database is subject to appropriate privacy protections.
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  • CIPPIC submission on Bill S-20 re photographers and copyright
    - 2003-10-20 -
    CIPPIC filed a submission on Bill S-20, a private member's bill that seeks to give photographers and portrait artists the same rights in copyright as other creators have, in the case of commissioned works. CIPPIC identified an important interest that was apparently unrepresented in the legislative process - that of consumers and subjects of photographic and other works. In its submission, CIPPIC reviewed the rationale behind the section, the marketplace changes that call for a rethinking of the rule, and the existing consumer protections outside the Copyright Act. On the basis of this analysis, CIPPIC recommended a two-part solution that aims to respond to the needs of both photographers and consumers. PDF version HTML version
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