Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Copyright Law Blogs -> Michael Geist

OR PHONE (866) 635-1838 for Bankruptcy Help, (866) 635-6190 for Divorce,
(866) 635-2689 for Personal Injury or (866) 635-9402 for Criminal Defense

Find a Local Lawyer

Bankruptcy (866) 635-1838
Divorce (866) 635-6190
Personal Injury (866) 635-2689
Criminal Defense (866) 635-9402

Copyright Law

: Michael Geist

CRTC Considers Big Changes to Broadcast Rules, Telecom Privacy

By Michael Geist

ADVERTISEMENTS

The CRTC today released two consultation notices that could result in big changes to Canadian broadcasting and telecom privacy. The broadcasting consultation proposes a major change to spending on Canadian English television productions, which has been flat compared to regular increases for spending on U.S. programming. The CRTC puts forward the possibility of a one-to-one ratio - for every dollar spent on foreign programming, one dollar must be spent on Canadian programming. The broadcasters will undoubtedly strongly oppose the proposal, relying on their longstanding argument that foreign programming "subsidizes" Canadian programming.

Meanwhile, the CRTC is also seeking comment on possible changes to the many telecom privacy provisions currently contained in the Telecommunications Act. The Commission points to the privacy safeguards, but asks whether they remain appropriate given the goverment's commitment to market forces. In other words, the CRTC incredibly asks whether market forces will provide similar privacy protections as those currently found in the statute. The deadline for responding to the privacy questions is March 16th.

Full post as published by Michael Geist on February 13, 2009 (boomark / email).