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Copyright Reform

The Future of Music Publishers’ Rights in the US and UK

The Future of Music Publishers’ Rights in the US and UK

Recently, I sat in on a well-attended speaker event at Cassels Brock. The first speaker at the event was Erich C. Carey, Vice President and Senior Counsel of the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), which is the trade association that represents American music publishers and their songwriting partners. The NMPA often advocates for music publishers […]

Regulating by proxy, restricting rights, and reducing competition? Pitfalls of the EU copyright directive.

Regulating by proxy, restricting rights, and reducing competition? Pitfalls of the EU copyright directive.

On September 12th, 2018, the European Parliament voted in favour of legislation that purports to be an important step toward integrating EU copyright law in the internet age. Generally, the goal of the Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market (“the Directive”) is to give rights holders direct control over their copyright on internet […]

IP Year in Review 2017 - A Year of Promises Made, Kept, and Abandoned

IP Year in Review 2017 - A Year of Promises Made, Kept, and Abandoned

This past year marks a year where the Government of Canada engaged more than ever on the IP front. The Government of Canada’s announcement of a National IP Strategy was welcome news for those interested in leveraging Canada’s intangible capital. As I noted on The Agenda with Steve Paikin, it was a “hallelujah” moment for […]

Can’t “Flea” from Louis Vuitton

Can’t “Flea” from Louis Vuitton

Although there is no shortage of counterfeit products on the market, it is not everyday that a high fashion designer sues your local flea market. Recently, Louis Vuitton reportedly filed a lawsuit against Dr. Flea’s Flea Market for intentionally selling a handbag that was evidently in violation of Canadian trademark and copyright laws.

How Open Science and Copyleft Can Help Find Cures

How Open Science and Copyleft Can Help Find Cures

In promoting scientific research and discovery, access to information is everything. Scientists look to journals and the work of their peers to identify new, innovative laboratory methods or trends in scientific discovery. However, maintaining intellectual property rights in one’s work is often needed to support the living expenses of scientists. So, when Dr. Guy Rouleau […]

Professors and Leading Scholars Respond to the IPO's Request for Views on Modernising the European Copyright Framework

Professors and Leading Scholars Respond to the IPO's Request for Views on Modernising the European Copyright Framework

On September 14, the European Commission published draft legislation aimed at modernising the European copyright framework.  To ensure the draft legislation delivers the best outcomes for all those affected by it, the Intellectual Property Office made a call for views on the costs and benefits of the proposed measures, and suggestions for how the language […]

Not-So-Compulsory Licence: a Proposed (and Rejected) Solution to Copyright Infringement in Derivative Musical Works

Not-So-Compulsory Licence: a Proposed (and Rejected) Solution to Copyright Infringement in Derivative Musical Works

In a recent MTV news article, author Miles Raymer opined over the “hopelessly broken” state of the US copyright system. While such a sweeping statement clearly oversimplifies the state of copyright law in the digital era, there may be some truth to it. Raymer focuses particularly on the tension between an ever-increasing market for derivative works […]