Many Canadians illegally copy movies, TV shows or software

/ Criminal Law /

By LegalMatters Staff • Online piracy includes copying, modifying, distributing or selling software or online content, including music movies, TV shows, games and software. According to information from the Motion Picture Association (MPA) of Canada, 26 per cent of Canadian content consumers accessed pirated music, movies, TV shows, video games, e-books and/or software in 2021. […]

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Toronto firm finds the answers that matter in workplace investigations

/ Workplace Investigations /

By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • Lawyer and workplace investigator Mireille Mortimer says an “investigation that can be easily undermined is of no value.” Mortimer, founder and principal of Mortimer Khoraych PC, says her firm conducts “thorough, respectful, neutral and objective” workplace investigations that comply with legal requirements and can stand up to scrutiny. “We

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McDonald’s loses Big Mac TM battle (but probably not the war)

/ Intellectual Property /

By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • It is not surprising McDonald’s lost exclusive rights to the use of the term “Big Mac” for chicken products in Europe but the loss is unlikely to significantly affect the fast-food behemoth’s rights in its iconic brand, says Toronto intellectual property lawyer John Simpson. The European Court of Justice

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Retain an experienced real estate lawyer when buying a home

/ Real Estate /

By LegalMatters Staff • A home purchase often is the largest transaction most people will ever make. That is why they must avoid common mistakes before plunging into the residential real estate market. “Buying a home is a complicated process,” says Edmonton real estate lawyer Sean Schaefer. “On one hand, it is very dry and

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Civil courts plagued with growing backlogs, shortage of resources

/ Mediation/Arbitration /

By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • A shortage of resources and a growing court backlog have pushed Ontario’s civil justice system into an untenable situation, says Ontario mediator and litigator Avril Hasselfield. Hasselfield, a partner with Results Mediators, says the shortcomings are making it increasingly difficult for the average person to find timely justice in

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Government auto insurance plan has potential to put consumers at risk

/ Personal Injury /

The question that should be asked with the Ontario government’s plan to reform automobile insurance is whether the initiative truly is in the best interests of consumers and the public at large. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy outlined the initiative when the 2024 provincial budget was unveiled in March. Some mandatory coverages will be eliminated in

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The age of consent is 16 – but there are some exceptions

/ Criminal Law /

By LegalMatters Staff • Canada’s age of consent is when a young person can be engaged in sexual activity, ranging from intimate kissing and fondling to sexual intercourse. The Criminal Code states that consent is the “voluntary agreement of the complainant to engage in the sexual activity in question.” It adds that consent cannot be

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Ransomware a growing problem for Canadian organizations

/ Criminal Law /

By LegalMatters Staff • London Drugs had to close nearly 80 stores across B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba after a ransomware attack in April 2023. According to the National Cyber Threat Assessment 2023-2024 published by the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS), ransomware is a persistent threat to Canadian organizations. “During a ransomware attack, malicious

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The rights of grandparents to see grandchildren after a divorce

/ Family Law /

By LegalMatters Staff • Most grandparents love to see their grandchildren. But if the children’s parents divorce, grandparents may find they are not welcome to continue these visits. “Alberta’s Family Law Act sets out the rules on guardianship, parenting and contact rights pertaining to children,” says Edmonton family lawyer Emily Gore. “Nothing in the Act

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