© News

the other presse

Kelly Parry

e —kelly-parry@telus.net

January 14, 2004

 

Shutting Down
Copycat
Textbooks

 

Kelly Parry
News Editor

Access Copyright, The Canadian
Copyright Licensing Agency, has been
successful in shutting down the illicit
copying activities of U Compute, a
Montreal based copyshop located close to
Concordia University.

On January 7, they seized over 2,200
photocopied university textbooks. Today's
available computer technology makes illic-
it on-demand publishing of textbooks a
tempting business model.

“It’s strike three for this particular copy-
shop. We are pleased that the court has
taken this step as it confirms that repeated
violations of Court Orders that are
designed to protect the rights of authors
and publishers will not be taken lightly,”
said Fred Wardle, Access Copyright’s
Executive Director. “The seizure of elec-
tronic files is particularly important to us
as we are witnessing alarming increases in
digital piracy. Preventing and remedying
copyright infringement of our affiliates’
works is a vital part of what we do at
Access Copyright.”

Similar to the music industry's response
to Napster and the illicit copying of music,
Access Copyright is committed to stop-
ping illegal copying activities in print or
electronic forms wherever they occur
across Canada.

U Compute was served with a court
order effective January 7, 2004. The
Federal Court of Canada’s original court
order, which was issued in Fall 2000, pre-
vented the copyshop from making illegal
copies of whole textbooks and selling
them to students at reduced prices.

Copyright in the guides and books are
owned by educational publishers and
authors, affiliated with Access Copyright,
who were involved in the original court
proceedings.

Access Copyright is a not-for-profit
agency that represents a vast international
repertoire of published works along with
more than 5,600 Canadian creators and
529 Canadian publishers.

Access Copyright serves the interests of
copyright holders and the public by pro-
viding economical and efficient solutions
for licensing the works of creators and
publishers from around the world. As part
of Access Copyright’s mandate to provide
legal access to copyright protected works
through licensing, Access Copyright works
to reduce and eliminate unlawful photo-
copying in Canada.

BP IN ee tele

 

ship _ fees,

' The province is providing an

advance payment on behalf of
individual members of the BC
College of Teachers who have
not paid their annual member-
according to
Education Minister Christy

? Clark.

Earlier this month, govern-
ment responded to the con-
cerns of the BC Teachers’
Federation (BCTF), individual
teachers, and the public by
ensuring a majority of elected
members on the college gov-
erning council. The new col-
lege council will be made up of
twelve elected and eight
appointed members.

However, the BCTF has still
not submitted the fees it is
holding in trust for its mem-
bers. The union is expected to
make a decision regarding the

payment of fees at its represen-
tative assembly in January.

“Tr’s time for the union to
respond,” said Clark.
“Individual teachers paid into
the union’s ‘democratic college
fund’ on the understanding
the fees would be paid when
government ensured a majori-
ty of elected members on the
college council. We've done
that.”

“Tm concerned individual
teachers may not know their
union hasn't paid their fees. I
expect that all outstanding
membership fees will be paid,
and that government will be
reimbursed for the funds it is
advancing.”

As part of its changes to the
College of Teachers, govern-
ment will require an oath of
office for all council members

to ensure the public interest is
put first, above all other inter-
ests. Government is also
encouraging the college to
include standards of teacher
competence and a public com-
plaint process in its bylaws.
“These changes will ensure
the college is independent,
there are clear standards of
teacher competence, and the
college has a process for public

complaints about member
conduct while respecting
teachers’ wishes to have a

majority of elected members
on the college’s council,” Clark
said.

The province expects to pay
the fees of about 20,000 indi-
vidual members as a temporary
measure. About 34,000 college
members have already paid
their $90 fee to the college.

 

 

working with sched
boards for some time

able to all students, particularly those
in elementary schools.
‘ As a result, by the beginning of
_ the next school year, beverage compa-
nies will ensure that 50 percent or
more of the beverage selections
_ offered for sale in elementary and
_ middle school vending machines are
| water or ices. The remaining
: aes

ee Page 4 _hitp://www.otherpress.ca

Farn said that the beverage indus-
try shares growing concerns abou
children’s health and wants to be
part of the solution. She notes that
increased nutrition education and
physical activity are key to
improving the health of all
Canadians, including children.

The beverage industry is cur-
rently developing industry
guidelines that will result in
other changes in elementary

d middle schools. Under the

idelines, companies will also
aange the front panels of
vending machines to feature
-carbonated _ beverages
and healthy, active lifestyle |
images, and will restrict pro- |

motional activity in ele-

mentary and _ middle

schools.
iy