Weekly News (Nov. 20th-26th)

Communications Governance in the News

Compiled by Charnjot Shokar

Research Assistant, Networked Communications Governance Lab

M.A. Candidate, Communication and New Media, McMaster University

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Canadian News: Nov. 20-26, 2017

International News: Nov. 20-26, 2017

Press Releases and Decisions: Nov. 20-26, 2017

Supreme Court of Canada

  • [IP / COPYRIGHT] Rogers Communications Inc. v. Voltage Pictures, LLC et al.(F.C.) (Civil) (By Leave) 37679 – Legislation – Interpretation, Intellectual property, Copyright – Legislation – Interpretation – Intellectual property – Copyright – What is the scope of the obligations imposed on Canadian Internet Service Providers by sections 41.25 and 41.26 of the Act – Do those obligations supplant ordinary principles from Norwich Pharmacal Co. v. Customs & Excise Commissioners (1973), [1974] A.C. 133 (UK HL) related to third-party discovery orders, and in particular, the principle that a third party should be reimbursed for the costs it incurs: Leave to appeal granted on Nov. 23
  • [IP] Venngo Inc. v. Concierge Connection Inc. c.o.b. as Perkopolis, et al. (Federal Court) (Civil) (By Leave) 37680 – Intellectual property – Trade-marks, Confusion – Intellectual property — Trade-marks — Confusion — How should evidence of actual confusion impact the analysis of whether there exists a likelihood of confusion within the meaning of s. 6 of the Trade-marks Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. T-13 — How should the perspective of the hurried consumer be defined and deployed in the course of assessing whether there exists a likelihood of confusion within the meaning of s. 6 of the Trade-marks Act — What is the appropriate standard of review applicable to a decision that provides no reasons on mandatory criteria of a statutory legal test?: Leave to appeal is dismissed with costs on Nov. 23

CRTC

  • [BROADCASTING] Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2017-408: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation – Halifax and Digby, Nova Scotia – APPROVED – Application to change the authorized contours of CBAF-FM-7 Digby
  • [BROADCASTING] Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2017-409: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation – Toronto and Owen Sound, Ontario – APPROVED – Application to change the authorized contours of the rebroadcasting transmitter CBCB-FM Owen Sound
  • [BROADCASTING] Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2017-413: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation – Toronto and Owen Sound, Ontario – APPROVED – Application to change the authorized contours of CBL-FM-4 Owen Sound, a rebroadcasting transmitter of the English-language radio station CBL-FM Toronto (Radio 2)
  • [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2017-410: Streamlined order – The Commission approves on an interim basis the following tariff application: Bell Canada TN 7548
  • [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2017-411: Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) – Determination of costs award with respect to the participation of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre in the proceeding that led to Telecom Decision 2017-171 – File numbers: 8640-B2-201602326 and 4754-525
  • [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2017-412: Determination of costs award with respect to the participation of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre in the proceeding that led to Telecom Regulatory Policy 2017-235 – File numbers : 1011-NOC2016-0333 and 4754-543

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

  • [WIRELESS] Ottawa aims to attract technology companies and jobs with next-generation mobile test site: The Government of Canada’s Communications Research Centre (CRC) and the City of Ottawa have set up a world-leading 5G test site at Ottawa City Hall. Technology companies and other 5G collaborators are invited to learn from the CRC’s leading work on 5G and showcase their own innovations in the heart of the nation’s capital
  • [BROADBAND] 360 communities in Quebec to benefit from faster Internet: Up to 100,000 households in 360 rural and remote communities in Quebec will be able to do business online, participate in distance education and search for jobs online thanks to a joint federal-provincial investment of up to $290 million in high-speed Internet.

Canadian Heritage

Infrastructure Canada

Office of the Privacy Commissioner

Copyright Board Canada

  • [COPYRIGHT] Notice of the Board CB-CDA 2017-142: In response to Notice 2017‐139, SOCAN provided a list of parties that have not objected to its proposed tariffs. This list did not identify to which particular proposed tariff the parties have not objected. SOCAN shall refile forthwith a list (per tariff) of the parties that have not objected to its proposed tariffs.

Facebook

Upcoming Events: Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2017

Supreme Court of Canada

  • [LIBEL / CHOICE OF FORUM] com, et al. v. Mitchell Goldhar (Ontario) (Civil) (By Leave) 37202 Hearing: Nov. 29 2017, 9:30AM Private international law – Choice of forum – Forum non conveniens – Applicable law – Libel action commenced in Ontario over an article published by an Israeli newspaper in print and on its websites – Motion to stay the action on the basis that Ontario courts lack jurisdiction simpliciter or, alternatively, that Israel is a clearly more appropriate forum – What are the limits, if any, to a Court assuming jurisdiction over an alleged libel on the internet simply because it is downloaded by somebody in Canada? – Further, under what circumstances, if any, can the presumption of jurisdiction be rebutted in cases of internet libel? – How should the principle of forum non conveniens apply to internet libel, in order to “temper the consequences of a strict application of the rules governing the assumption of jurisdiction” and have proper regard for the impact of these rules on freedom of expression? – Should the place of “most substantial harm” rather than lex loci delicti apply to determine the applicable law in defamation actions?

Senate of Canada

Canadian House of Commons

CRTC

  • Anticipated releases for the week of 27 November to 1 December, 2017
    • Broadcasting Decisions

Office of the Privacy Commissioner

Copyright Board Canada

  • [COPYRIGHT] Notice of the Board CB-CDA 2017-143: Following the emails received earlier today on behalf of CSI and CMRRA and Counsel for the “Networks”, the deadline to respond to Notice 2017‐138 is hereby extended to Friday, December 1, 2017
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