Bill C-11, the Digital Charter Implementation Act, was introduced today directed to a new privacy regime, including the Consumer Privacy Protection Act, the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act, and replacing parts of PIPEDA. Key features include a tribunal that can impose significant fines, order-making power by the Privacy Commissioner, disclosure of “automated decision systems”, data mobility and de-identification uses.
All posts by Alan Macek
Federal Court
The Federal Court published guidance on in-person hearings. All applications for judicial review as well as all general sittings are being heard by video conference (via Zoom) although parties may request in-person or hybrid hearings. For in-person hearings, various public health measures are implemented as set out in the guidance.
Patentable Subject Matter
CIPO has published practice guidance on patentable subject matter following the recent decision in Choueifaty as well as some examples for computer-implemented, medical diagnostic and medical use inventions. CIPO indicated that updates to MOPOP are coming later and will be subject to consultation.
Online undertakings
The government introduced Bill C-10, “An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts” directed to regulating online broadcast undertakings by the CRTC. From the press release, “We are proposing major changes to the Broadcasting Act in order to ensure online broadcasting services that operate in Canada contribute to the creation, production and distribution of Canadian stories.”
PMPRB
The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board has published updated guidelines (news release and introduction) scheduled to take effect January 1, 2021 when the (delayed – see earlier post) amended Regulations are to come into force.
Copyright Board
York/Access Copyright
The Supreme Court of Canada is expected to release its leave decision on Thursday in York University v. Access Copyright on copyright tariffs and fair dealing.
PTAB
In other Supreme Court news, earlier today, the United States Supreme Court granted cert in Arthrex considering the constitutionality of the appointment of USPTO’s PTAB judges and their subsequent decisions.
Patent Agent Exam
CIPO has published an updated schedule for the virtual patent agent examination process which was deferred from the spring.
MOPOP
CIPO has published a new version of MOPOP with clarifications in many of the chapters.