Tag: free expression
Bill C-18: Taking your voice to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.
OpenMedia testified to Parliament on the impact of C-18; here’s how it went.
The Online News Act: A threat to Canadian News?
The government wants to charge for sharing online news content. What does this mean for Canadian news?
A First Look at Canada’s Harmful Content proposal
What’s proposed in the government’s harmful content consultation, and where it falls down.
The reboot no one asked for: Trudeau is reviving “FairPlay”, Bell’s failed website blocking plan
The CRTC rejected a Bell-backed coalition’s website blocking proposal in 2018 after massive public outcry. Now, the federal government is bringing it back — and putting our online freedoms on the line.
What’s wrong with the Link Tax? (an FAQ)
Common questions and answers on the Link Tax – from OpenMedia’s community
What does a Liberal minority government mean for Canada’s Internet?
The verdict of the election is here. So what is going to happen to the future of digital policy in Canada?
Need a break from the election? Here are some happy memories
The past year has been a rollercoaster on the digital rights front. But together, the OpenMedia community has achieved a lot. Here’s an overview of our wins and what’s on the horizon.
Your views made it to the government’s report on copyright in Canada!
After months of extensive study, the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (INDU), has released its report on Canada's Copyright Act review, which contains encouraging recommendations for open Internet advocates. Here’s a summary
We’ve Been Invited to Testify on Copyright: Let’s Bring Your Voices Straight to the Government!
The committee reviewing Canada’s copyright laws has invited us to testify in Ottawa. What should we bring to the table? We want to hear from you!
Huge win for Canadians as CRTC rejects Bell’s website blocking proposal
Welcome ruling protects Canada from overreaching censorship agency, deferring jurisdiction to reviews of the Copyright, Telecommunications and Broadcasting Acts
Who owns your tattoos? Copyright issues are all around us.
Ever wondered who owns the copyright to your tattoos?
Let’s Talk Copyright to Bring Canada’s Copyright Rules Up to Speed With the Digital Era
A rare opportunity to shape Canada’s copyright regime is right before us. Here’s how we can seize it to shape the rules by and for the people in the digital era.
I was worried. Now, I’m filled with gratitude.
Your support fuels our work and the people who are behind it. Thank you so much!
The Internet fight we’re too ‘shy’ to fight because… sex?
Laws impacting the Internet made in one place can have implications beyond their geographical jurisdiction. But in some instances, little noise is made about these laws despite their global impact — why?
Applying for a U.S. visa? “Extreme digital vetting” could be about to get worse
The Trump administration has proposed a new rule that could force every single U.S. visa applicant to provide five years of social media history — affecting nearly 15 million people per year.
Against website blocking: What OpenMedia submitted to the CRTC
We filed a substantive policy submission as well as more than 82K individual submissions from Canadians. Thank you for speaking up!
Thanks to you, our #DontCensor billboard is now up in Toronto!
Just in time for the day of action to protest Bell coalition’s website blocking plan, our #DontCensor billboard is now up in Toronto. Once again, this would have not been possible without the support of our community — thank you!
The CRTC must reject new overreaching Internet censorship proposal
Bell-led coalition proposes government-backed website blocking system that advocates warn will harm consumers and free expression online
European Parliament’s civil liberties committee strikes blow to dangerous proposals for content censorship
Recommendations for a censorship machine were removed, but remaining loopholes are open to abuse by private companies
U.S. District Court defends online free expression and principles of intermediary liability with recent decision
U.S. ruling blocks Supreme Court of Canada global takedown decision in Google v. Equustek
Over 11,000 Canadians have spoken: NO to pursuing TPP negotiations
Once again, Canadians have come together in the thousands to send a clear message to the federal government: The TPP is a bad deal for our country, regardless of U.S. involvement. Thanks for speaking out!
Last Chance: Stop Social Media Spying
Under new rules, 65,000 people a year are being asked to provide every social media handle they used over the past five years. We can't allow this to happen!
Your social media history could determine your U.S. visa eligibility
The right to freely express our thoughts and political views online is under serious threat.
NAFTA: Our Digital Rights are not for sale (or trade)
OpenMedia’s official submission to the NAFTA consultation puts the digital rights concerns of Canadians front and centre
Complete reversal and betrayal from major EU Party
The European People’s Party (EPP) — the largest party in the EU — has announced they are officially backing the Link Tax. It’s an insulting blow to public voices, informed decision-making, and democracy.
Good News / Bad News: MEPs split on standing up for your rights
Key MEP committee disappoints the public and lets the link tax pass but stops the censorship machine.
Save the Link heroes
You emailed your MEPs in the thousands, and in return they put through hundreds and hundreds of amendments to change the law for the better.
For these large publishers, it was always about undermining our Right to Link
There’s no shortage of proof that publishing lobbyists and their political allies want a world where you can own a hyperlink.
RightsCon Brussels 2017: Making Facebook Pay (for the News)
We fought the Internet tax and the link tax to stop the open Internet being crushed in the name of saving the media. But what will we do when the next big idea comes along?
Link tax slammed by major Spanish newspaper El País
The European Commission’s plans for a Link Tax have been dealt another blow — this time by leading Spanish newspaper El País
Fundamental liberties at stake in copyright plan
Fundamental rights are under attack in EU plans for content filtering: freedom of expression, rule of law, and right to privacy.
It’s here! Our TPP Citizens’ Report explores how we can rebuild public trust in trade processes
Our Let’s Talk TPP Citizens’ Report is finally here! Check out the full report and use our tool to send it to your MP.
A sneak peek into the TPP Citizens’ Report: how we can rebuild public trust in trade processes
The public has lost confidence in trade processes that put the interests of corporate lobbyists before people. But there’s a way back from the brink.
Copyright and transformative works: how will new laws affect creators of the future?
Lobbyists for the music and publishing industries are hoping to gain new powers to control how we share, collaborate, and create art online. But how will this affect creators? We’re kicking off an interview series with digital artists to find out!
We’re throwing a wrench in the copyright machine
Dangerous new copyright proposals are on the way - here’s our plan to stop them.
#ProtectPressFreedom: Join us on this National Day of Action!
The combination of multiple spying scandals involving Canadian journalists as well as powerful national opposition to Bill C-51 have sparked a national day of action on civil liberties, privacy and press freedom. Join us!
Digital rights privilege problem: How trying to reach everyone becomes exclusive
Our Ruth Coustick-Deal discusses the need to make a conscious and deliberate effort to make digital rights campaigning more inclusive to ensure all voices, especially those of minorities, are reflected in our work. If you have any suggestions of how our organization can better address this issue, please drop us a comment below!
Top 10 ways you helped save the Internet in 2016
As we face the challenges of 2017, let’s all be inspired by these amazing examples of how you helped save the Internet last year.
Google v. Equustek at the Supreme Court of Canada: Dispatch from the Hearing
As you may recall, OpenMedia intervened in a landmark Internet and free expression case at the Supreme Court of Canada, Google Inc. v. Equustek Solutions. Here's a recap of the big questions being wrestled with at the trial.
Notice and…what? Explaining the Copyright Notice Trio
Notice and…takedown? Staydown? Notice? We explain what these phrases mean and why they’re vital to the fight for free expression in 2017.
Legislating against “fake news” leads us down a path to censorship
The fake news phenomenon is taking over the airwaves. But what does “fake news” even mean — and is it possible to legislate against it without sending us down a censorship rabbit hole?
Trudeau: send a message to Canadians and ditch the TPP
The TPP is on its last legs – but why not finish it off? Trudeau should take a stand and reject the TPP.
Have a Link Tax Question? Join us on Reddit Ask-Me-Anything(AMA) this Wednesday!
We’re hosting a Reddit AMA! Save the Date and Join us for all your #savethelink questions.
We need YOU to help us get the word out about link censorship
We’re launching a brand new campaign to make sure that European decision-makers know where Internet users stand on the Commission’s Link Tax and Censorship Robots. Help us get the word out!
MEPs standing up and saving the link
Not all decision-makers want to enforce link tax & anti-Internet proposals. Some are working hard in the EU to challenge the worst copyright rules in the world.
We did it! OpenMedia has submitted its arguments to the Supreme Court of Canada
OpenMedia has filed its arguments to the Supreme Court of Canada, defending your free expression online. What’s next?
A Hitchhikers Guide to the Link Tax — delivering your message to MEPs
We’ve produced an official guide to the Link Tax, to ensure MEPs hear your voices before they start to examine the European Commission’s unpopular plan.
Delivering your voices against the #LinkTax to the European Parliament
On Thursday as part of our fight to defend the right to link, our free expression campaigner went to the European Parliament to deliver your voices
Why our work at the Supreme Court matters: a case study
Not only is OpenMedia defending your digital rights at the Supreme Court, but our work will help to eliminate cases of censorship-by-copyright online
Mind the ‘value gap’: how the EU Commission is working to reframe its Link Tax and other copyright reforms
In the past several weeks, you’ve probably seen the phrase “value gap” creeping into your newsfeeds. But what does it really mean?
This depends on YOU: will you help us take Free Expression to new heights at the Supreme Court?
Your support is vital to ensure our Supreme Court case has impact
OpenMedia is defending your free expression at the Supreme Court
OpenMedia will be intervening in a landmark case at the Supreme Court of Canada – defending the free expression of Internet users across the globe.
Quebec’s Bill 74 puts us all on a slippery slope toward Internet censorship
An extreme new law close to home could pave the way to a terrible future for the open Internet in Canada.
The link tax law is leaked, and it looks like it was written by someone who has never used the Internet
A new leak from the European Commission lays out the not-so-specific details of the link tax law and other copyright reforms. And guess what? They only serve media industry giants.
Why is the European Commission hiding the voices of thousands of Internet users?
The European Commission hasn’t released the data that they say justifies the link tax. Where are your voices and their consultation response?
Breaking News: Leaked document reveals EU Commission’s plan to mislead and ignore you in their crusade for a link tax
The European Commission have shown themselves incapable of listening, recent leak shows they intend to push ahead with link tax and ignore public consultation process.
Become a link tax mythbuster
We have been putting together some key myth-busting images that should put the link tax to bed once and for all, showing decision-makers why it's just not going to work.
The Link Tax is Running Out of Fuel: You Can Stop It Here
The European Commission is still considering proposals for fees for hyperlinks, AKA: the link tax. They are writing the law now, but they are on the brink of dropping these plans. Let’s remind them we’re not going away.
Letter to the Community: The road ahead for OpenMedia
Our new Executive Director Laura Tribe introduces herself and looks at the exciting challenges we’ll face over the months ahead.
Québec is gambling with Internet censorship: what is Bill 74 and how can we kill it?
Blatant censorship of the Internet for financial gain.
Your OpenMedia Quarterly Roundup: the amazing things our community pulled off in the past 3 months
It’s incredible what we achieve together.
Despite strong opposition to the link tax, the European Commission continues to pursue the policy
Internet users concerned over Commission’s continued push forward on unpopular plan to tax links and snippets and possible introduction of new liabilities for online platforms.
Help shape the future of our weekly Internet Insider
Have you ever heard of our Internet Insider? It's OpenMedia's weekly newsletter with an overview of relevant digital rights news and what our team has been up to behind the scenes. We are currently redesigning what we think to be a useful resource that just hasn't gotten the attention it deserves, so first, we need your feedback!
What the heck is ancillary copyright and why do we call it the Link Tax?
What the heck is ancillary copyright anyway? And why does it matter? And why do we keep calling it the link tax? All will be revealed within.
We made it happen: Your voices on a Jumbotron outside the TPP hearings
We crowdsourced your concerns about the TPP and displayed them on a Jumbotron TV screen outside the TPP hearings in Vancouver today. Check out these awesome pics!
WATCH HERE: Making Sense of the TPP, with Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz
Do you want to make sense of the Trans-Pacific Partnership? Watch this live stream with experts on the topic, including Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz.
The European Commission is listening, again: The consultation to end all consultations?
Exciting developments in our Save the Link campaign happened this week!
For International Women’s Day, meet a few of our female Internet heroes
Women at OpenMedia and around the world work tirelessly to ensure that the Internet remains an equally accessible tool, where we can all freely express ourselves without fear and share revolutionary ideas that have the potential to change millions of lives for the better. Today we celebrate International Women's Day and invite you to join us in the fight.
Secretive trade negotiations leave important voices on the sidelines
We've joined a large international coalition calling for trade agreement reform to protect our digital rights
The Story of Saving the Link
Our Save the Link campaign is really making a difference, but how did it all begin?
Recapping the Trouble with the TPP: Pt 2
Part two of our summary on Michael Geist's "the trouble with the TPP" series exposes more threats to our digital future in Canada. Find out more about how this agreement will be felt here at home.
The TPP was just signed. Here’s our plan to fight back.
The final battle against the TPP begins. This is how you can help us stop it.
Michael Geist takes on “The Trouble with the TPP”
Over the past few weeks Michael Geist has released a series of blogs detailing the definitive case against the TPP. Here are the top highlights. What do you think?
Parliament resumes today: Here are the top 5 digital issues MPs are facing
Canada’s Parliament is back in session, and MPs have a number of crucial digital rights issues on their plate
5 big challenges for our digital rights in 2016
Looking ahead to 2016, one thing is clear: challenges to our digital rights are set to intensify.
Politwoops is back!
Return of Politwoops brings with it added political accountability and transparency
Looking back at 2015: our biggest wins, and the challenges yet to come
2015 was the busiest year in our young organization’s history. Check out what our community achieved together!
Globe and Mail: Final push for Pacific Rim pact set for end of September
The TPP deal is closer than we might think!
Are your candidates for or against it? Check here and tell them to oppose this bad deal: OurDigitalFuture.ca/candidate
Article by Steven Chase for The Globe and Mail
An effort to land a massive Pacific Rim free trade agreement within weeks is under way, raising the prospect the wide-ranging Trans-Pacific Partnership could dominate the final stretch of the Canadian election campaign.
Let’s make Canada’s parties endorse our pro-Internet action plan
Exciting news! Green Party leader Elizabeth May has just announced her endorsement of our crowdsourced pro-Internet action plan. So far Ms. May is the first major party leader to do so - and we’re thrilled to have her waving the flag for Canada’s Internet.
This is great news for Canada’s pro-Internet movement and never would have happened without so many people speaking up to support our plan. Now we need to keep up the pressure on all the party leaders, to ensure our action plan can be put into law.
EFF: Nothing Is Agreed Yet—We Can Still Stop The TPP’s Copyright Trap
Despite all the talks, the TPP negotiations remain tentative until each country signs off on the final agreement.The battle's not over yet, let's keep speaking up against this Internet-censoring deal! Add your voice at StoptheSecrecy.net
Article by Jeremy Malcolm for EFF
Geist: Canadian Music Industry Hit With Competition Complaint Over Public Domain Recordings
The internet we love is based on creators being able to freely, cheaply, and easily share their work! #SaveTheLink
Article by Michael Geist
Earlier this year, I wrote about the secret campaign by major record labels and publishers to stop the release of public domain recordings, most notably Beatles records that outsold the offerings from major label records at retail giant Wal-Mart. The campaign included extensive lobbying for an extension in the term of copyright for sound recordings.
Georgia Straight: OpenMedia encourages voters to consider policies around access, privacy in federal election
Check out this amazing coverage of our pro-Internet election plan on The Georgia Straight! The Internet is something we shouldn’t take for granted. We should take action to have our democratic rights as citizens, to make sure it stays open, accessible and free for everyone. This election, vote for the Internet! OurDigitalFuture.ca
Article by Stephen Hui for the Georgia Straight
Stephen Harper’s Conservative government represents a “lost 10 years” for the Internet in Canada, according to a digital-rights advocate.
CBC: Google ordered to remove ‘right to be forgotten’ stories after ‘right to be forgotten’ ruling
The new EU 'right to be forgotten' ruling conflicts with our right to knowledge and free expression. Why should people like web companies, politicians, or governments force search engines and other aggregators to remove links to articles about their activities without a judicial process? Learn more below and check out our growing international campaign to Save The Link at SaveTheLink.org
Article by CBC News
CBC: Leaked Trans-Pacific Partnership draft would force Canada to rework copyright, critics say
If Canada adopts the TPP, it will criminalize your Internet use and force your Internet provider and search engines to censor online content, things the government had consistently rejected throughout the copyright reform process. Speak out now at StoptheSecrecy.net
Article by Zack Dubinsky for CBC
Tyee: TPP Leaks Reveal Blows to Creative Freedom: Filmmaker
TPP will hurt our creative fredom in ways you can't image. Here's a filmmaker's acount of what it would mean for artists and creators around the globe. Let's stop this censoring deal at StoptheSecrecy.net
Article by Brett Gaylor for the Tyee
Most people's experience with copyright begins and ends with the FBI warnings that play before movies on a DVD.
EFF: Which companies will protect you from copyright and trademark bullies?
Who's protecting your speech against false copyright or trademark complaints? EFF finds out which companies are willing to go to bat for you.
Report by EFF
When somebody wants to silence speech, they often use the quickest method available. When the speech is hosted on a major online platform, that method is usually a copyright or trademark complaint. For many years, EFF has worked with people whose lawful speech has been unfairly targeted by these sorts of complaints. We've observed that some approaches tend to work better than others in preventing that sort of deliberate abuse, as well as the casual censorship that comes from haphazard and dragnet approaches to policing online infringement.
From Antarctica to Vietnam, global Internet users are creating a vision for our digital future
Our small team at OpenMedia would like to take a moment to thank you - all of you - who have used the Internet to help create a roadmap forward for a fair digital future.
It was in October 2013 that we asked our community - Internet users who are invested in driving the Internet, creating and sharing online, and collaborating without borders - to help shape our collective digital future.
Our call was in response to continued backdoor negotiations of a massive agreement known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which will threaten our ability to innovate online, create excessive copyright terms, and criminalize your online activity.
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