Canadian IP Law: A Concern and a Pointer

I'd like to direct your attention to Prof. Michael Geist's latest commentary on what he suspects is about to happen to copyright, patent and trademark law in Canada, and what he intends to do about it...and, in due course over the next thirty days, what the rest of Canada -- whatever our mother tongue -- might also do, if we find we share his concerns.

Just a thought.

Moving Away from Dead Seriousness into Movie House Fun...

Given all that fuss about that movie with Mr. Jackson and the snakes, it seems a shame to lose sight of a possible hidden gem. One I plan to see within the next week, called Bon Cop, Bad Cop. The CBC coverage begins here, and it seems like most of the newspaper reviews are generally pleased with the movie. Their consensus is that this thing will be worth up to thirty dollars -- assuming you take at least one friend -- and two hours of your life. The National Post critic offered ideas on venues for the next three sequels. The Ottawa Sun review suggested that they go from movie theatres to first-run network TV series format.

Both good ideas. If we're very lucky, maybe the cast and crew can exploit the Hell out of both.

Naturally, though, the tradition of Canadian movies in Canadian movie theatres being what it's been -- althought that is slowly changing for the better -- this can only mean one thing: no matter how good the movie, it'll tank at the box office and be a cult hit at the video stores for decades thereafter. Which would be a bit of a shame, to put it mildly.

But I'm still going.

I'll let you know more after I've seen it, within the week if all goes to plan.