CNM Short Takes

New CNMF guidelines releasedTelefilm Canada has released new guidelines for the Canada New Media Fund that include the much-anticipated change to a two-stage application process. The new application process is expected to reduce some of the cash producers must lay on the table just to apply to the program (CNM, Jan. 23/03). Further details are available at http://www.telefilm.gc.ca/03/311.asp?langen&fond_id3. CTV defends decision to fund Idol from GroundbreakerCanadian NEW MEDIA is trying to track down a letter written by Susanne Boyce, CTV president of programming and chair of the media group, to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). The letter, now in the hands of CRTC staff, defends CTV's decision to use the Groundbreaker Fund to fund its massive hit, Canadian Idol (CNM, July 11/03). It's uncertain what motivated CTV officials to send the missive to the commission. Early indications are that an article in CNM prompted a proactive approach by the broadcaster on the issue, rather than react to a particular complaint. CTV spokesperson Tom Curzon says the company will not release the letter in deference to the commission, and CNM is awaiting word from the regulator on whether the note will be made public. New media producers across the country are upset that the $23-million pot is being used to fund a show they see as not fitting the spirit of the broadcaster's promises of public benefit arising from the 2001 acquisition of CTV by BCE Inc. No surprises in lawful access consultation reportIndustry Canada, the Department of Justice and the Solicitor General have released a wrap-up report summarizing reaction to a series of proposals made by the government on lawful access to Internet communications (CNM, Sept. 6/02). The original proposals were distributed in August of 2002, and quickly damned by industry players such as ISPs as being too vague. As expected, the need for further consultation and further details on how the government would legislate access to Internet communications to fight crime and terrorism topped the list of industry concerns. ISPs were also concerned about the cost of implementing new systems and about having to shoulder the brunt of the cost of carrying out interceptions or seizures. Industry players were also joined by individuals in asking the government to better justify the need for new technological capabilities since there was little evidence that current provisions are inadequate, or that proposed changes would aid law enforcement efforts in light of powerful technological tools used for nefarious purposes. The consultation document is available at http://canada.justice.gc.ca/en/cons/la_al/index.html. Canada opposes too-strong WIPO broadcaster protectionA Canadian delegation to the World Intellectual Property Organisation's Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights in June came out against protections proposed for a new treaty on broadcast that could give broadcasters stronger safeguards than performers or producers. In the recently released report on the ninth session of the committee, it was noted that:"The Delegation of Canada expressed the view that the rights of broadcasters in the proposed treaty should not exceed those provided to other right owners in the content being broadcast, such as performers and producers. Many proposals, especially in respect of rights over authorized fixations of broadcasts, would provide new categories of protection and grant different levels of protection to the same content, depending upon the circumstances under which the fixation was made, for example in a studio or from a broadcast. This distinction would appear to be arbitrary and could be confusing to users. The balance among different right owners should also be carefully taken into account, and consideration should be given to the fact that some countries preferred to adopt an anti-piracy approach to the proposed protection." Another meeting of the committee will be held Nov. 3-5. Canada was represented in June by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' Erica Redler, the Canadian Cable Television Association's Jay Kerr-Wilson, and John Barrack of the Canadian Film and Television Production Association. Hip Interactive wins vendor deal for Strategy First PC gamesToronto-based Hip Interactive Corp. has signed an agreement with Strategy First to be its primary North American vendor for around 20 PC gaming titles over the next 13 months. Nine titles are to be released before Christmas, including a sequel to Etherlords, part of the Jagged Alliance series, as well as a new title for the Disciples Series. No financial terms for the deal were disclosed. Strategy First has offices in Montreal, Quebec and London, England. "As always, we have carefully selected Strategy First as a partner, as we believe they produce the type of quality games that will provide the fastest return on our investment," Hip president and CEO Arindra Singh is quoted as saying in a media release. Maple Music joins Universal in slashing prices on music CDsMaple Music Recordings, home to some of the world's best bands including Luther Wright and the Wrongs, will follow Universal Music Group's plan to cut prices on music CDs. Prices are set to fall below $15 for even top-selling albums in a move the company hopes will stem the red tide of unsanctioned downloads. Montreal company builds on CBC archive collectionDVcolor, a Montreal-based digitization company, will digitize the Unforgettable Moments/Les inoubliables collection of televison archives owned by CBC/Radio-Canada. No value was disclosed for the contract. The catalog includes dozens of clips that will be available on the web. Cold North Wind scores anotherCold North Wind, Ottawa, will digitze and provide the archives of Sporting News magazine on its Paper of Record web site. The archives will cover the magazine's 117-year-old history. Sporting News is owned by Vulcan Sports Media Inc. CANARIE funds veterinary collaboration projectCANARIE Inc., Ottawa, is providing $1 million in funding for the Ontario Veterinary College's Virtual Veterinary Medicine Learning Community Project. The project is a joint venture between the vets' school and industry partners LifeLearn Inc. and the Canadian Institute for Food Inspection and Regulation. It is being funded through CANARIE's e-learning program. The initiative will focus on telemedicine and be available to all veterinarians by this fall. "Photocopier for the web" available from N-LITERToronto's N-LITER Inc. has introduced an online tool it says retrieves and "photocopies" information from the web. The product, dubbed Golden Retriever, works as a toolbar in IE to search for information, add notes and highlights to pages and save and print the pages. The product is being touted as attractive to students and researchers. It is available from the company's site, http://www.n-liter.com, as well as shareware sites for $US14.95. Freeware and trial versions are also available from the company's web site. Naked News to aid Canadian Breast Cancer FoundationNaked News anchor Michelle Pantoliano will go on a date with the winner of an online auction to benefit the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. The highest bidder will enjoy dinner with Pantoliano at 360 The Restaurant atop the CN Tower, attend a Raptors game, then hit the Toronto night life. The auction is being conducted at http://www.pinkbedroomparty.com/. The auction is part of a gala event being held in Toronto Oct. 1 to raise funds to fight the disease. Dozens of other non-celebrity men and women have also volunteered to go on dates at various restaurants and clubs around the city. UofT professor offers cellophane as 3D solution for laptopsCellophane, the decidedly low-tech plastic wrap, could be the key to turning laptop computer screens into 3D displays, according to University of Toronto professor Keigo Iizuka. Published in the August issue of Review of Scientific Instruments, Iizuka's research shows that a combination of a stereoscopic image, cellophane and polarized sunglasses create a three dimensional image with the illusion of depth. His article indicates that the cellophane is far less expensive, by about 3,500 times, than higher-tech half wave plates also used in 3D displays. He paid $3 for a one-by-two-metre roll of the brown bag lunch staple.

CNM Short Takes

Broadcast | September 12, 2003

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