All the best for the holidays! Let’s hope that 2021 is a little more normal. I’m going to pause the IPPractice emails on days the Federal Court Registry is closed: December 25, 28 and January 1.
Category Archives: Daily Alert
Copyright Board
Regulations relating to the Copyright Board were published yesterday, “Time Limits in Respect of Matters Before the Copyright Board Regulations“. The Regulations impose a 12-month time limit for the Board to issue decisions after submissions, with certain exceptions.
Patent Collective
Canada’s “Innovation Asset Collective” was launched today with $30m in support through the government’s Patent Collective Pilot Program. According to Minister Bains’ announcement, “The Collective will bring businesses together to help them make the most strategic use of their intellectual property.” Continue reading Patent Collective
Privacy
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.
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.