Intellectual Property
-
June 06, 2024
Privacy Commissioner tables annual report on privacy protection initiatives
The Privacy Commissioner of Canada has tabled his annual report in Parliament titled Trust, innovation, and protecting the fundamental right to privacy in the digital age. The 2023-24 report outlined “key activities and achievements” that his office used regarding the protection and promotion of Canadians’ fundamental right to privacy.
-
June 06, 2024
Court rules password sharing for subscription constituted fair dealing in 'landmark decision'
In what one copyright law expert is describing as a huge win for copyright user rights in Canada, the Federal Court has found that Parks Canada employees who shared the password for a single account to access a subscription-based news site were engaged in fair dealing under the Copyright Act and did not infringe copyright law.
-
June 04, 2024
CRTC announces 5 per cent levy for online streaming services in Canada
In a decision that could cause static from TV streaming giants like Netflix, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has announced that online streaming services will have to contribute five per cent of their Canadian revenues to support the Canadian broadcasting system starting in the 2024-25 broadcast year.
-
June 03, 2024
SCC’s Wagner urges vigilance, strong defence against false information, justice system attacks
Canada’s top judge says elected officials should not attack the justice system or the judiciary, based on false information that could shake public confidence.
-
May 31, 2024
SCC gives guidance on interpreting exclusion clauses, applying standards of appellate review
The Supreme Court of Canada has clarified what is required for an exclusion clause in a contract of sale to exempt the seller from an implied condition under Ontario’s Sale of Goods Act (SGA) and has also clarified what standards of appellate review apply when trial courts interpret contracts involving implied statutory conditions.
-
May 31, 2024
From clicks to courtrooms: Leveraging web data in disputes, part one
Imagine someone operating a small business was seeking to hire an accounting services provider. They open a new web browser session and type a request to search for the list of the best accounting firms in your area. Paying for a place in the search results for advertising purposes is a normal business practice, so this is what comes up in the results:
-
May 27, 2024
Mastercard, Salesforce, Lenovo and five others sign Canada’s voluntary AI code of conduct
Mastercard, Salesforce, Lenovo and five other companies have signed on to Canada’s voluntary artificial intelligence (AI) code of conduct, which requires signatories to address and mitigate risks associated with deploying generative AI systems, according to a release.
-
May 24, 2024
New partner bolsters Gowling trademark, brands & designs group
A recent news release from Gowling WLG announced the addition of new partner Andrea Pitts to its trademark, brands and design group in Ottawa.
-
May 22, 2024
New sanctions aimed at Russia–N. Korea arms trade for weapons used in illegal war on Ukraine
Two Russians and six Russian entities are targeted by the latest sanctions Canada has imposed in response to the Putin regime’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.
-
May 21, 2024
Ontario needs updated consumer protection rules to deal with digital marketplace: law commission
Have you ever fully read one of those terms of service contracts that pop up every time you sign up for something online? The answer is “probably not.” But not doing so can often cause significant problems, and now the Law Commission of Ontario (LCO) is urging the provincial government to amend its consumer protection legislation to help people who may be affected by automatically clicking yes.