August 31 ACP Google Settlement Position Statement
Carolyn Wood has prepared a position statement regarding the Google settlement on behalf of the ACP. While the ACP cannot file this statement to the court without hiring US council, it may prove useful for individual publishers if they wish to file objections to the settlement. Please be aware that publishers who opt out of the Google settlement are not eligible to file objections. If you do wish to file an objection, you must do so on or before the quickly approaching opt-out deadline of September 4, 2009.
To download the statement, please click here.
August 17 Notes on Copyright Reform - Presented by Carolyn Wood to the Winnipeg roundtable session of the national copyright consultation, August 2009
ACP Executive Director Carolyn Wood recently participated in a roundtable session discussing copyright reform in Canada, and has prepared a document summarizing her remarks on the discussion. To download a PDF of this statement, please click here.
August 7 Save the date - TD National Reading Summit
Becoming a reader is at the very heart of responsible citizenship. But as we find ourselves caught in the fierce updrafts of an information hurricane, we often lose sight of what reading -- as an intellectual activity -- contributes to our sense of self, our cultural awareness, our capacity for self-expression and, ultimately, our notions of engaged citizenship and the collective good. Reading, after all, is about so much more than a technical act that allows us to communicate, consume media and perform the activities of daily life. To be literate is necessary, but it is not enough. What is Canada doing to foster a reading culture? Many countries around the world have developed national programs to promote reading among children and the general population. In Canada, individual provinces and communities have made steps in this direction; however, because schools and libraries are the most obvious focus for public reading initiatives, and both are under provincial and municipal jurisdictions, we have no coordinated national strategy to promote reading. How do we Canadians go about building a reading society? On November 11 to 13, 2009 the TD National Reading Summit will bring together writers, educators, publishers, librarians, and public officials who care about crafting a blueprint for a reading Canada. Speakers from across the country and around the world will share their research and experience in developing reading promotion programs, and delegates will lay the groundwork for implementing new programs and policies with both provincial and federal participation. Some of the confirmed speakers to date are: Ana Maria Machado (Brazil), Ingrid Bon (Netherlands), Richard C. Anderson (US), Tom King (Canada), Charles Pascal (Canada) and Elisa Bonilla (Mexico).
Become part of this important conversation.
Registration information will be available shortly. Registration fee: $250. (Canadian) Please forward this message to colleagues and associates who will be interested in this vital issue. For more information, contact info@nationalreadingsummit.ca
July 22 ACP wiki has new features!
If you are an ACP member looking for an interactive place to discuss issues affecting the Canadian publishing industry, the ACP internal wiki is a great resource. The site features an interactive contract designed to help with digital rights issues, and a Google settlement discussion forum moderated by copyright lawyer and Google-guru Grace Westcott. More recent additions to the site include an online marketing and publicity document drafted by Richard Nash, an ex-indie publisher and online marketing specialist - come by and add your own commentary to this helpful resource for Canadian publishers. And if you've got concerns in the world of digital publishing, join the discussion on the EPUB/XML Forum and share your triumphs and setbacks with digital publishing. For more information or an invitation, contact Sarah Labrie at sarah_labrie@canbook.org
July 5 Congratulations Stan!
Stan Bevington, Publisher of Coach House Books, was recently appointed to the Order of Canada. Congratulations, Stan!
