CNM Short Takes

CCTA copyright request on back burner at committeeThe Canadian Cable Television Association’s (CCTA) request that the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology examine the issue of ISP liability in the context of ongoing copyright reforms won’t move forward just yet (CNM, April 2/04). Committee chair Brent St. Denis tells CNM that the body is still considering other legislation. "I haven’t really bent my attention to that at all. We’re really preoccupied with C-9, and we’ll probably get to C-2 before we even get to thinking about the copyright matter. But, I’m sure it will be discussed at our next business meeting." In the meantime, work continues on the issue of digital copyright reform at the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage. Meetings on the topic resume April 20 when the committee will hear from the Canadian Private Copying Collective, the Balanced Copyright Coalition and the Canadian Coalition for Fair Digital Access. On April 21, members will hear from the Canadian Photographers Coalition, the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic, the Bureau of Archivists’ copyright committee, and the Canadian Newspaper Association. On April 22, the committee will continue with the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada, the Canadian Cable Television Association, the Canadian Association of Internet Providers, and the Canadian Recording Industry Association. Canadians expect spyware protection from ISPs: AOL pollA recent AOL Canada Online Safety Study that polled computer users with home Internet access found that 90% of Canadians know that all their online activities can be monitored without their knowledge, and more than half believe that their Internet service providers (ISPs) should take the lead in guarding them from spyware. AOL is currently the only ISP in Canada to include protection from spyware and adware at no extra charge, and to help protect consumers it has introduced AOL Spyware Protection to automatically scan, identify and disable this type of surveillance product on their computers. Magic Lantern launches homework and research tool Magic Lantern Group Inc., a North American distributor of educational content and e-learning delivery with licensing operations in Canada and the U.S., has entered into an alliance with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) to include Magic Lantern’s TutorBuddy product in its fundraising outreach program. TutorBuddy is an Internet-based system that delivers searchable, curriculum-correlated video programs and learning objects on-demand to students as an in-home homework and research tool. It has more than 1,600 learning video programs, indexed into over 12,000 video objects. CSPI: Software prices declining The Commercial Software Price Index (CSPI) for January was 79.6, down 3.7% from December of 2003. On a 12-month basis, the CSPI declined 15.9%. The CSPI is a monthly series measuring the change in the purchase price of pre-packaged software typically bought by businesses and governments. Naked News launches new program for global audienceNaked News has announced the launch of Naked News Daily Male, which will feature current international news and lifestyle features for gay viewers. The six male anchors will present their news and commentary while completely naked, and partnerships with gay publications around the world will enable the show to provide local news to a global audience. The program reaches an audience of more than 130 nations each day. Twelve songs chosen from national talent contest The Canadian Value of Music Coalition (CVOMC), a coalition of concerned music industry individuals and organizations, and Toronto’s Harris Institute for the Arts, a private post-secondary school dedicated to excellence in music industry education, have announced the results of their national talent competition, Opening Act. Twelve songs by unsigned artists/bands have been chosen and will be featured on www.keepmusiccoming.com. The winners will receive 100 copies of a compilation CD featuring the 12 tracks. The CVOMC is an initiative of Canada’s recording industry to educate citizens of the role people play in helping create more music when they buy music instead of sharing. Trademark applications filedA trademark application was filed April 2 by mytelescope.com Inc. for the term "mytelescope.com". The application is in connection with, "Systems and methods for accessing telescopes and, more particularly, to accessing a worldwide network of telescopes via a computer network such as the Internet." In a separate filing, HookMeUp Television Inc. filed a trademark application March 31 for the term of a "hook up. tv" graphic. The application is in connection with, "Operating a website on a global computer network providing an online dating and social gathering place, entertainment services, namely television shows relating to dating and nightlife entertainment." Brock University also filed an application on March 31 for the term "The Information System Review" in connection with, "The title of a scholarly academic journal, ISSN 1710-5587. It will provide the service of scholarly research to academics in the area of information systems." Finally, Bell Canada has filed a trademark application in connection with the term "Voix Internet". The application is with respect to proposed services related to Voice over IP services. GWEV Publishing inks deal with animation studio Cinerio Inc.Ottawa-based GWEV Publishing Inc. has announced a deal on undisclosed terms to work with Cinerio Inc., also in Ottawa, to develop multimeda products and animation features based on its book titles. The Ottawa Business Journal reports that Cinerio will become the sole agent worldwide for GWEV in the animation sector. Titles owned by GWEV include Simon With Two Left Feet by Angela Narth, and How Do Crocodiles Fly by Sylvia Helen Vincent. Cinerio specializes in 2D and computer generated 3D animation and video services, in addition to interactive content creation for broadcasters in global markets. Primus Canada buys Ottawa ISPPrimus Telecommunications Canada Inc. has acquired Ottawa-based Magma Communications Ltd. on undisclosed terms. The acquisition adds approximately 30,000 customers to Primus’ existing Internet customer base of over 70,000. The addition of Internet data centres operated by Magma in Toronto and Ottawa significantly strengthens Primus Canada’s data service offerings and positions the company to build on existing government and corporate accounts, according to a media release. Deafplanet.com expands to include Quebec sign languageMarblemedia has launched a new version of its www.deafplanet.com web site that now includes content available in both French and in Quebec Sign Language. The site has also been organized into five new channels, including Deaf TV International, Animal Planet, Jaw Drop TV, The Upstairs Room, and The Game with No Name. The grouping of channels is being dubbed Earth Buzz and parallels the educational adventures on the original deafplanet.com portal, and features a new group of deaf actors who bring the digitized content to life. The channels are also available in French and Quebec Sign Language. SBS improves capital structureSBS Interactive Co. has converted $980,000 in loans into common stock of the company as of Feb. 6, 2004. The note holders, including the company’s management, converted at a price of $0.225. The holder of the largest note was entitled to convert at a price of $0.04 per share, but voluntarily agreed to increase the conversion price. The conversion by the note holders into 4.4 million shares of common stock substantially eliminates all of the common stock. The Toronto-based company is developing a proprietary "reverse blue screen" technology that seamlessly combines virtually any kind of pre-recorded or computer generated content with a users’ setting. D-BOX adds to customer listLongeuil QC-based Technologies D-BOX Inc. announced that it received more than $741,000 in orders for its Odyssee motion simulators for home entertainment. A dozen new vendors in the U.S., two in Canada and one in Germany are also now selling the product. Privacy commissioner offers business information formsThe Privacy Commissioner of Canada has gathered the most pertinent information about the country’s new Personal Information Protection and Privacy Act into an "E-Kit for Businesses". The kit includes copies of the laws, FAQs, information about how the law has been applied, and a questionnaire businesses can fill out to determine how compliant they are. The kit is available at http://www.privcom.gc.ca/ekit/ekit_e.asp.

CNM Short Takes

Broadcast | April 16, 2004

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