Yesterday there was a huge ruling in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in California. Now normally we don’t write about U.S. internet law around here, but since the decision affects our favourite Canadian pirate, Gary Fung of isoHunt, we’re gonna make an exception. Especially because isoHunt is fucked.
Another week, another notice from another ISP forwarded to your intrepid blogger for his usual insightful analysis snark. But this one’s even more fun, because it’s already found its way into the courts this week. Let’s dive in to the tale of a third-rate Hollywood movie company intent on suing everyone, everyone’s favourite Canadian ISP TekSavvy, and my secret spy friend, WHO’S TOTALLY INNOCENT. I want to make that clear.
Tell us something we don’t know, Mendelsohn! OK OK, we all know illegal downloading rulez in Canada. But as of now, it seems like the copyright owners are getting serious about fighting online piracy in Canada. Do you think that they won’t come after you if you just downloaded one little TV program? Well, I’ve got a real surprise for you.
Ten days ago, there was a internet law case decided in Australia. Boy am I timely! But this case is HUGELY important, and as I am finally recovered from 4/20, I need to inform my three blog readers of what this case is all about. How can an Australian case be important in Canada? All will be explained in due course, dear reader, hopefully without any Vegemite jokes (well I guess one).
Not to be outdone by their American counterparts, someone at Parliament is illegally pirating things off the internet, as uncovered by the Pirate Party of Canada. What’s the big deal? It’s not like the House of Commons is trying to pass legislation to reform copyright for the digital age. Oh wait. Deets after the jump.
Late last week, the Conservative Government introduced Bill C-11 to the House of Commons. Bill C-11 is the Canadian Government’s fourth attempt (one Liberal, three Conservative) to update Canada’s Copyright Act for the modern technological age. (Did you know under current copyright law it’s technically illegal for you to DVR programs to watch them later? Yeah, the law needs updating). Over the next weeks and probably months I’ll take a look at how the Bill’s provisions would affect the internet. If you want an overview of the Bill, Barry Sookman just posted a good summary, and Geist is always good, though his focus on digital locks (a significant part of copyright reform) has bordered on obsessive for several years now.
After the jump, I’ll look at how one of the new provisions could spell the end of one of the most useful sites on the internet, and a personal favourite, isoHunt.
Have you got your torrent client running in the background right now? Do you think you’re just some anonymous person that the copyright holder will never find? Hahaha, I’ve got a surprise for you, thanks to the Federal Court of Canada. Find out what it is after the jump.
I am a lawyer specializing in internet law working out of Montreal, though sometimes I do it in front of the U.S. Capitol. That should tell you what you need to know about internet law in Canada. I also warp young legal minds at the Faculty of Law at McGill.
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