October 2, 2018 – Ottawa-Gatineau – Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)

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.