The Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology has issued its report (link) on the 5-year statutory review of the Copyright Act. The committee includes 36 recommendations touching on simplifying the structure of the Copyright Act, reversion of copyright, crown copyright, computer generated works, fair dealing, safe harbours and statutory damages, among other things.
Update: Link to report fixed after they moved it.
Bill C-100 was introduced today for first reading, An Act to implement the Agreement between Canada, the United States of America and the United Mexican States. The Bill includes amendments to the Copyright Act and Trademarks Act. Continue reading NAFTA 2.0
Earlier this week the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage issued a report and recommendations (link) on remuneration for artists, that includes recommendations for amendments to the Copyright Act.
Proposed regulations on “Establishing Time Limits in Relation to Matters Before the Copyright Board” have been published in the Canada Gazette Part 1. The purpose of the regulations is in part to “prescribe the amount of time the Board may take to render decisions”. Continue reading Copyright Board
A private member’s bill, C-440 was introduced yesterday that would abolish Crown Copyright. Continue reading Crown Copyright
Bill C-86, the budget bill that implements changes to the Patent Act, the Trade-marks Act and the Copyright Act, enacts the College of Patent Agents and Trade-mark Agents Act and makes changes for IP licenses in insolvency received royal assent yesterday. Bill C-86 received minor amendments as it went through parliament.
My latest column for Slaw has been published, on the IP changes included in the US Mexico Canada trade agreement. The agreement is supposed to be signed Friday but reports are that the countries are still in discussions. Continue reading USMCA
Introduced yesterday, budget bill C-86 includes changes to the Patent Act, Trade-marks Act, Copyright Act, enacts the College of Patent Agents and Trade-mark Agents Act and makes changes for IP licenses in insolvency. Some highlights include a college to regulate agents, reform of the Copyright Board, allows patent file histories to be admissible to rebut claim constructions, add bad faith as a ground of opposition for trademarks, and adds requirements for notices under the notice-and-notice copyright regime.
The Supreme Court issued its decision in Rogers Communications Inc. v. Voltage Pictures, LLC, 2018 SCC 38 relating to the costs that ISPs can claim for comply with Norwich orders under the Copyright Act. Continue reading Notice-and-Notice