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Defending Privacy Doesn't Pay: Canadian Court Lets Copyright Troll Off the Hook
An anonymous reader writes: A Canadian court has issued its ruling on the costs (PDF) in the Voltage — TekSavvy case, a case involving the demand for the names and address of thousands of TekSavvy subscribers by Voltage on copyright infringement grounds. Last year, the court opened the door to TekSavvy disclosing the names and addresses, but also established new safeguards against copyright trolling in Canada. The court awarded only a fraction of the costs sought by TekSavvy, which sends a warning signal to ISPs that getting involved in these cases can lead to significant costs that won't be recouped. That is a bad message for privacy. So is the likely outcome for future cases (should they arise) with subscribers left with fewer notices and information from their ISP given the costs involved and the court's decision to not compensate for those costs.
A vassal state really.
"SO we bide our time, waiting for a purer kick to bloom and the future is still bleak, uncertain and beautiful" -GSYBE
Canadians are a complacent bunch. They will lay down for almost anything.
"SO we bide our time, waiting for a purer kick to bloom and the future is still bleak, uncertain and beautiful" -GSYBE
it might if it draws more customers to TekSavvy.
Americans have to understand that Canadians actually more than one or two ISPs to choose from in all major cities. Granted, most lease their infrastructure from the big players (Bell, Videotron, Shaw, Rogers, and I believe Cogeco), but those smaller ISPs still compete for customers.
If TekSavvy turns around and advertises the fact that they are an ISP willing to standup for their customers that would work well in their favour I'd imagine.
I'm god, but it's a bit of a drag really...
Canadians are a complacent bunch. They will lay down for almost anything.
Unlike Americans, who have been in armed revolt over this kind of thing for the past decade.