Category Archives: canada

More Media “levy” Madness

Posted on 2011-05-13 by alan

Howard Knopf doesn’t like the idea of extending the tax (or calling it one). I didn’t like having to pay a tax, or “levy”, on the CDs I bought years ago to store photos and backup my HD, but I don’t … Continue reading →

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Time for a Change

Posted on 2011-05-03 by alan

OK today must be the start of a four year campaign to reach agreement between the NDP, Greens, and remaining Liberals to: Support an electoral reform which will provide for proportional representation – NOT based on party lists but on … Continue reading →

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Goodbye CBC

Posted on 2011-04-12 by alan

As a complement to today’s federal leaders’ debate the CBC had a group of first time voters watch and comment. But while the clear majority felt that the NDP’s Jack Layton was the winner (as demonstrated by holding up pictures) … Continue reading →

Posted in canada, politics | Tagged cbc, media distortion | Leave a comment

Retail Internet Pricing – Without Slogans

Posted on 2011-04-07 by alan

All sides in the debate on “Usage Based Billing” are off base. The issue is quite complicated and not helped by the use of simplistic slogans which often either ask for the impossible or run counter to the interests of … Continue reading →

Posted in canada, web | Tagged net neutrality, usage-based billing | Leave a comment

UBB – How Should Cost and Price be Linked?

Posted on 2011-03-29 by alan

Michael Geist is concerned because internet service providers do not match price of service at all levels to its actual cost. But when a commodity is in short supply, selling at the cost price will lead to shortages. (In the … Continue reading →

Posted in canada, web | Tagged UBB | Leave a comment

And They have the guns!

Posted on 2011-03-25 by alan

From Discover Magazine:

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Don’t Stop Darlington

Posted on 2011-03-22 by alan

Here is my (slightly edited) version of the Greenpeace Letter. Dear Premier McGuinty: I’m writing to support your plan to maintain the nuclear option by continuing with the development of new reactors at Darlington and to encourage you not to be … Continue reading →

Posted in canada, technical issues | Tagged nuclear power | 1 Comment

Looking a Gift Horse

Posted on 2011-03-18 by alan

(via Michael Geist) Some have objected to restrictive license terms on our nation’s new “Open Data Portal” which would stop someone from using the data “in any way which, in the opinion of Canada, may bring disrepute to or prejudice the … Continue reading →

Posted in canada | Tagged open data | Leave a comment

This Must be Said

Posted on 2011-02-17 by alan

In the light of the apparent opinion of Conservative MP Ed Fast that the mere presence of a digital lock trumps virtually all other copyright rights it must be said that the only appropriate response to passage of Bill C-32 without a … Continue reading →

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Many Views on UBB

Posted on 2011-02-07 by alan

Michael Geist provides some useful links to opinions about the “Usage-Based Billing” issue, and has just expanded on his own view, as has also Teksavvy’s Rocky Gaudrault.(More here, here, and here.) My take on all this is that it is … Continue reading →

Posted in canada, politics, web | Tagged usage-based billing | Leave a comment

What’s Wrong With Usage-Based Billing?

Posted on 2010-11-03 by alan

The folks at OpenMedia.ca are concerned about the recent CRTC ruling to allw Bell to apply usage-based-billing to independent ISPs. But I don’t se the problem. So long as everyone gets the same speed of sevice regardless of data type … Continue reading →

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To CBC re banning of CC licensed material

Posted on 2010-10-09 by alan

Re : CBC Bans Use of Creative Commons Music on Podcasts.

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Moore vs Lavallee on iPod “tax”

Posted on 2010-09-23 by alan

Howard Knopf reports on the exchange between James Moore and Carolyn Lavalleeon about inclusion of iPods in the Canadian media tax. The idea of a tax on ipods is no more “toxic” or “dumb” than the one that presently exists … Continue reading →

Posted in canada, copyright | Tagged ipod tax, media levy | Leave a comment

More Music Industry Copyright Madness

Posted on 2010-09-15 by alan

From Michael Geist – Cdn Music Industry Assoc Chair: Format Shifting, User Generated Content Keep Piracy Sites Going. According to J.P. Ellson, the Chair of the Canadian Council of Music Industry Association and board member of the industry’s Balanced Copyright … Continue reading →

Posted in canada, copyright | Tagged format shifting, user-generated content | 1 Comment

Save the Long Gun Registry

Posted on 2010-09-13 by alan

In Canada, there is a law requiring the registration of all firearms, with a period of amnesty having been provided for failure to register hunting rifles and other “long guns”. The amnesty period is due to expire in May, and … Continue reading →

Posted in canada | Tagged firearms, long gun registry | Leave a comment

CRTC consultation on Obligation to Serve

Posted on 2010-08-10 by alan

For what it’s worth, here is the main point I made in my submission today: with regard to the question about ensuring access for all Canadians, I said: CRTC should set national rate caps for broadband access via both telephone … Continue reading →

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iPod Levy Proposal Makes Sense

Posted on 2010-03-30 by alan

Michael Geist – Angus Defends iPod Levy Proposal. IF the “Canadian solution” of a media levy is valid (and I think it is), then there is no logical reason to distinguish in any way between different types of digital memory. … Continue reading →