Michael Geist

The fantastic and informative Michael Geist has a great analysis in today’s Morning Links about the latest gambit in the copyright wars: a term extension which will protect sound recordings for an additional 20 years. Geist cites numerous reports done in other countries which suggest the benefit to artists from this extension will be extremely […]

The post The Erosion of National Autonomy in Copyright appeared first on TeleRead: News and views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics.

Used eBook Website Faces Lawsuit in Europe (The Digital Reader) The used ebook marketplace Tom Kabinet is only a week old but it is already facing legal challenges to its business model. *** Should Canadian Courts Get to Decide What the World Sees Online? (Michael Geist) The ruling provides the sense that the court felt […]

The post Weekend Roundup: Used eBook site face lawsuit. Apple updates iPod Touch lineup appeared first on TeleRead: News and views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics.

Has Canada Caved on Copyright Term Extension in the TPP? (Michael Geist) According to the Japan News, those countries (which also include New Zealand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Brunei) are prepared to cave to U.S. pressure to extend the term of copyright to life of the author plus 70 years. *** Apple Unveils Promo Codes for […]

The post Morning Roundup: Canada caving on copyright? Apple unveils new promo codes appeared first on TeleRead: News and views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics.

The Web We Want: Could Canada Lead on a Digital Bill of Rights? (Michael Geist) As the government finally embarks on its digital strategy, it has an opportunity to do more than just tout recent policy initiatives. Instead, it should consider linking its goals with the broader global initiatives to help create the Web we [...]

The post Morning Roundup: Publishers do know to interact directly with readers. Could Canada lead on Digital Bill of Rights? appeared first on TeleRead: News and views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics.

From the inimitable Michael Geist comes this little tidbit that Japan is considering extending its standard copyright from Life-Plus-50 to Life-Plus-70. What makes this especially worrying is that Canada, one of the last Life-Plus-50 bastions, is, like Japan, considering participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and is facing pressure from TPP leader America to similarly extend [...]

The post Japan Considering Copyright Extension; Canada Next? appeared first on TeleRead: News and views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics.

In this era of cloud-everything, Michael Geist reports on a hugely important story for Canadians—the CRTC, the regulatory body that deals with telecommunications issues, has released a new ‘Consumer Wireless Code’ that addresses a number of consumer complaints about cell phones. Significantly, it effectively eliminates onerous three-year contracts by phasing out the cancellation fee for customers [...]

The post Wireless Playing Field Finally Leveled in Canada appeared first on TeleRead: News and views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics.