Conventional broadcasters need more funding, as well as tax changes that give advertisers an incentive to advertise on Canadian websites, if Canada hopes to have a thriving and sustainable industry for new media, the CBC tells the CRTC.
BC expands film tax credit
The BC government is now making its film tax credit available to all Canadian-controlled companies. The change, announced Dec. 18, will permits BC companies to raise capital from investors and companies in other provinces, which puts BC on a level playing field with tax credit programs in other provinces. The previous rules limited the credit to BC-controlled companies.
Mashed up content on social media sites would be illegal under new copyright law
Using copyrighted material for satire on social networking sites like YouTube is rampant, but it could also become illegal unless the federal government includes user rights in new copyright legislation, expected to be tabled when the government resumes business after Jan. 27, warns some of Canada’s leading copyright lawyers.
The Conservative government is expected to table new legislation when Parliament resumes after Jan. 27. Its previous bill, C-61, died when the fall election was called. However, lawyers warn that unless amended, the proposed legislation would not support the "mashup", or integration of text, graphics, audio, video and animation content that is common on social networking sites.
Rogers follows through on application to get SMS/MMS in telemarketing rules
CRTC sets framework for WNP in small ILEC regions
In a December 18 decision, the CRTC has laid out the ground rules for wireless number portability in small incumbent local exchange carrier (SILEC) regions. Despite concerns from some groups that WNP implementation should not happen prior to local competition, the CRTC determined WNP could go forward anyway.
BCE to make changes to board of directors
Richard Currie, chair of the board of directors of BCE, as well as directors Judith Maxwell, John McArthur and Robert Pozen, will not seek re-election to the board at the company’s AGM on February 17, 2009. The board has announced that its intention to elect director Thomas O’Neill as chair, assuming he is re-elected as a director by shareholders at the AGM.
Decision Makers Series: Long-time public advocacy lawyer leaves Ottawa
After five and a half years at the helm of the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC) Philippa Lawson is hanging up her boots, with a warning that privacy issues on the Internet, convergence and deep package inspection (DPI) still pose challenges that need to be monitored to protect the interests of the consumer.
Moses Znaimer targets babyboomers with new social media site
Canwest wins digital signage rights for Canada
Canwest Digital Media has signed a deal with ShopLocal in Chicago to become its exclusives supplier for products and services in Canada. Retailers, including Canadian Tire, Mark’s Work Wearhouse and Toys R Us, use ShopLocal to drive in-store sales by converting their local print promotions into digital formats that connect with consumers online and in-store.
Supreme Court to hear $100 million broadcast fee dispute
After winning one court battle and then losing another in April, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) has persuaded the Supreme Court of Canada to hear its case into whether – in effect – the CRTC is a de facto tax collector for the federal government.