CNM Short Takes

Copyright Board extends date for private copying hearingsResponding to a request by the Canadian Private Copying Collective (CPCC) for delayed hearings into the private copying tariff (CNM Update, Aug. 28/02), the Copyright Board of Canada has advanced the hearing date to January 21. Dates for the various stages stand as follows: Filing of CPCC’s case, Oct. 4/02; Filing of objectors’ cases, Nov. 22/02; Filing of CPCC’s supplementary case, Dec. 13/02; Hearings, Jan. 21/03 at 10:00 am. In rendering its ruling, the board noted that the CPCC will not push for retroactivity in any rate increases because of the delayed hearing date, but that the board may still rule that increases become effective on Jan. 1/03. Also in its ruling on the delayed hearing, the board says it "cannot provide assurances that it will allow some time to elapse between the date of its decision and the date on which any increase in the levy effectively comes into force. That issue can be addressed in the board’s final decision." SOCAN moves to extend Tariff 22 deadline, strike out affidavitsThe Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) has asked the Supreme Court of Canada to grant it an extension on the deadline for filing responses and/or leaves to cross appeal in the Tariff 22 case. It has also asked that affidavits filed as part of the joint leave to appeal by the Canadian Cable Television Association, the Canadian Association of Internet Providers and Bell Canada be stricken. Affidavits in favour of having the court hear an appeal of the Federal Court of Appeal’s ruling in the 22 case were filed by James Carroll, Eric Carroll (no relation), Michael Geist and Jay Thomson. Because of SOCAN’s request, the Copyright Board of Canada has still not announced whether it will file a response to the CCTA’s joint leave bid. Counsel Mario Bouchard tells CNM the board will take advantage of the delay to further mull its options. Several sources have indicated the board is displeased with the earlier ruling in that the Federal Court of Appeal did not defer to the board’s expertise in copyright matters (CNM, Aug. 21/02). The deadline to file a cross appeal or response was August 31. Oberon interactive wins YWCA content partnership agreementOberon Interactive Inc. co-founder Luda Tovey tells Canadian NEW MEDIA that her company’s upcoming TV series to air on Global Televison has won a deal on undisclosed terms to post content from the YWCA on its companion web site. The show, Second Chance: Making it Work, has been touted since day one as a converged digital/broadcast project (CNM, Mar. 27/02). Other deals are in the works, though Tovey is not yet at liberty to reveal details. The show revolves around the challenges women face when re-entering the workforce, an area in which the YWCA has extensive experience and material. No specific air date has been announced for the launch, though a September timeframe has been confirmed. Deadline in place for standard language on gov’t web sitesWebmasters across the Canadian federal government have until December 31 this year to ensure material conforms to standard language called "controlled vocabulary" intended to faciliate information searches. A document outlining the requirement and listing several resources has been posted by the National Library of Canada. The document is located at http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/8/4/r4-294-e.html. Dream Mechanics scores deal to design ABC’s Alias-based gameMontreal-based Dream Mechanics has been contracted by the ABC television network to design an online game based on the popular show Alias. The game will incorporate 3D action and allow users to slip into the black ops world by adopting spy personas and accomplishing various missions. The game has launched with two missions online now, and Alias fans will be able to play up to eight different missions that will launch at approximately five-week intervals throughout the ’02-03 television season. A media release notes: "The episodic online game follows the plot of the show and is expected to sustain interest in the series between episodes, while building anticipation and tune-in for the next show." In its last season, the show garnered 11 Emmy nominations and is expected to be one of ABC’s top-rated shows again this year. Iceberg shareholders approve amalgamation with StandardShareholders of Iceberg Media.com Inc. approved an amalgamation with Standard Radio Inc. at a special meeting August 28. Upon the amalgamation becoming effective, common shares of Iceberg (other than those held by Standard) will be converted into redeemable preferred shares of the amalgamated corporation, which redeemable preferred shares will thereafter be redeemed for $0.05 per share. The net effect of the amalgamation and the subsequent redemption is that Standard Broadcasting Corporation Limited will become the sole shareholder of the amalgamated corporation. StatsCan sees 2001 growth in access to cable Internet Statistics Canada says high-speed cable Internet service availability grew in 2001, standing at 9.4 million homes, or 85% of cable homes, having access to cable modems as of Aug. 31/01. That number was up from about 70% the year previous. Deployment is occurring most quickly in small communities, though only about 27% of homes have access to the service. Overall, almost 15% of homes with access to cable Internet had adopted it by Aug. 31/01. The bureau predicts that the gap between large and small communities will close as infrastructure investments by cablecos rise year-over-year. Investment in 2001 in cable network upgrades was $1.8 billion in large communities, $243.2 million in medium-sized communities, and $88.5 million in small communities. In all, 15.6% of customers in large communities with access to the service were subscribers, 11.8% in medium communities, and 14.8% in small communities. That represents a jump of almost 5%, 3% and 4.5% respectively over 2000. Procreate starts academic promotion on graphics toolsProcreate, Corel Corp.’s art and graphics software subsidiary, has announced a new contest and rebate offer for students. Students have until Oct. 31 to submit original artwork created using the company’s Painter 7 in return for a chance to win prizes including US$2,500. There are high school and college/university categories. Students will receive a $50 mail-in rebate when they purchase Painter 7 until Oct. 31/02. More information is available at http://www.procreate.com/painter7promo. Google wins search engine warsTelecom.paper reports that the Google search engine is the most used in the world with a market share of 53.2% of searches, according to Netherlands-based market research company OneStat.com. Following behind were Yahoo with a 20.4% share, MSN Search at 9.1%, Terra Lycos with 3.7%, AOL Search at 2.9%, AltaVista garnering 2.8% and Ixquick rounding out the top seven with 2.2% of searches. non-linear unveils redesign for dental association siteOttawa-based non-linear creations and the Canadian Dental Association have launched a new web site for the association featuring daily industry news updates and separate members-only sections. The site was built including the RedDot content management server, which the company has since announced it will distribute as a reseller.

CNM Short Takes

Broadcast | September 6, 2002

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