CRTC denies FairPlay Canada's application on piracy websites on jurisdictional grounds

OTTAWA and GATINEAU, QC, Oct. 2, 2018 /CNW/ - The CRTC today denied FairPlay Canada's application to implement a proposed website-blocking regime to address copyright piracy because it does not have the jurisdiction under the Telecommunications Act. As such, the CRTC did not consider the merits of the proposal.

FairPlay Canada had requested that the CRTC create a regime that would identify websites and online services that are engaged in copyright piracy and require Internet service providers to block access to those websites and services.

Copyright piracy causes harm to the Canadian broadcasting system and the economy. The CRTC is of the view, however, that other avenues are more suitable to address this issue, which include the ongoing parliamentary review of the Copyright Act, as well as the expert panel review of the Telecommunications Act and the Broadcasting Act.

Quick Facts

• Copyright piracy generally refers to the distribution or use of content without the copyright holder's consent and without payment.
• The Copyright Act provides a regime to deal with copyright issues, and Parliament has not granted copyright jurisdiction to the CRTC through the Telecommunications Act.

Related Links

• Telecom Decision CRTC 2018-384 - Asian Television Network International Limited, on behalf of  FairPlay Canada ? Application to disable online access to piracy websites
• Telecommunications Act
• Broadcasting Act
• Copyright Act
• Telecom Procedural Letter Addressed to Dr. Shan Chandrasekar and Tamir Israel (FairPlay Canada and University of Ottawa)
• Application to disable on-line access to piracy sites - Asian Television Network International Limited, on behalf of a Coalition (FairPlay Canada)

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SOURCE Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission