Too close for comfort?
Canadian author alleges publisher and U.K. writer stole idea for children’s book We recently shared the story of a freelancer who suspected a profile idea she had pitched was stolen by the publication (it turned out that likely wasn’t the case). Losing an idea for a story is one thing, but there are many other […]
The Copyright Modernization Act: friend or foe?
Yesterday in Ottawa, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages James Moore and Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture) Christian Paradis spoke to the media about their plan to fast-track Bill C-11, the Copyright Modernization Act, and have it passed by the end of the year. The act is, according to many, a […]
UBC ends deal with Access Copyright, freelance writers lose out
Joining more than a dozen other large post-secondary institutions across the country, the University of British Columbia has ended a long-standing contract with Access Copyright, a non-profit organization that aims to guarantee fair compensation for writers and publishers when their works are copied. UBC says that the organization was demanding “dramtically” higher fees and wanted […]
Final decision handed down in latest Robertson class action suit
For better or worse, the ongoing series of “Robertson v. _____” cases continues. On May 2, a final decision was handed down in the case of “Robertson v. Proquest, Cedrom, Toronto Star Newspapers, Rogers and Canwest.” (This decision comes after a tentative settlement reached this January.) Heather Robertson and Kirk Baert of the firm Koskie […]