I recently did an interview with CTV’s Ina Sindhu on questions arising over Google’s new privacy policy. To watch, click on the link in the CTV news video player heading “CTV’s Ina Sidhu on questions arising over internet privacy due to Google’s policy change“.
Google’s new privacy policy
March 2, 2012
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Blogs, Internet, Marketing, Online Marketing, Privacy | Tagged: Internet, Privacy | 
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Posted by Brian Bowman
Toyota advertising case raises privacy issues
November 4, 2011
In 2009, a woman initiated a lawsuit against a Californian advertising firm and Toyota U.S.A. because of an aggressive advertising campaign that she claimed was designed to make individuals believe they were being stalked by a criminal (which, in fact, turned out to be fictitious). While the charges are now being dealt with by the Los Angeles Superior Court the case raises issues in respect of the application of privacy principles here in Canada.
In 2008, Toyota Matrix advertised the “Your Other You” campaign which targeted young males. It encouraged individuals to provide someone else’s personal information, who would then receive an invitation to a fake personality test. What really happened was, the “victim” ended up receiving numerous disturbing emails from an imaginary soccer hooligan with a pitbull named Trigger. This impersonator claimed to be on their way to the victim’s house, who had no idea it was a hoax. In order to promote the advertising campaign, a fake social networking account for the stalker was even set up.
How would a similar case play out here in Canada? Under the PIPEDA framework , there would possibly be a violation of the law because of the alleged collection, use and disclosure of personal information without consent. Further, PIPEDA’s requirement that the “identified purposes” of any collection, use or disclosure of personal information would not likely met. Finally, the reasonableness test, enshrined in PIPEDA, would probably be violated. In short, the facts pertaining to the case could put the relevant parties in the crosshairs of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and courts. As a result, the case should serve as a warning to advertising agencies to ensure that privacy law considerations are thoroughly canvassed with legal counsel before initiating campaigns involving personal information – especially where people are submitting friends’ data.
1 Comment | Facebook, Marketing, PIPEDA, Privacy, Social Networking Websites | Tagged: Marketing, PIPEDA, Privacy Compliance | Permalink
Posted by Brian Bowman
Are you a spammer? What you need to know about Canada’s new anti-spam law
July 7, 2011
Tired of reading? How about a video to help you learn about Canada’s new anti-spam law?
I’m delighted to let you know about a cool feature on Pitblado’s new website called the “Whiteboard Sessions”, which are vlogs (or video blogs). We’ve just posted a 3 minute vlog of mine entitled “Are you a spammer?“, wherein I discuss:
- highlights of the new law
- why you should care
- an overview of the rules
- penalties for non-compliance; and
- proactive tips to help comply with the law
To watch “Are you a spammer?” please click here>>
Leave a Comment » | Anti-Spam Legislation, E-mail, Facebook, Internet, Marketing, Online Marketing, Privacy, Social Networking Websites, Technology | Tagged: E-mail, Facebook, Internet, Online Reputation Management, Privacy, Social Networking, Spam | Permalink
Posted by Brian Bowman
Privacy Commissioner releases report on online tracking, profiling and targeting, and cloud computing
May 6, 2011
Canada’s Privacy Commissioner has just released the final report of her Office’s consultations on the online tracking, profiling and targeting of consumers by marketers and other businesses. “Most people have no idea about the rich trail of data they leave behind when they browse the Internet, use social networking sites, or engage the geo-location functions of their mobile devices,” the Commissioner observed. Organizations that track the online activities of Canadians must be more upfront about their practices, Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart has concluded… “it comes down to meaningful consent, which entails informed consent”.
Leave a Comment » | Device Fingerprinting, Facebook, Marketing, Monitoring, Privacy, Privacy Commissioner of Canada, Social Networking Websites, Technology | Tagged: Cloud Computing, Facebook, Internet, Privacy, Privacy Commissioner, Social Networking | Permalink
Posted by Brian Bowman
Privacy and compliance in digital market research
March 24, 2011
David Stark of GfK has penned an excellent article about how technology is affecting the marketing research industry. In his article, David highlights broad trends, notably in quantitative research, and the increase in observational research and passive data collection. Among other things, he also discusses cookies, device identification and web scraping. This is a ”must read” for marketing researchers and a valuable read for others. I hope you check it out.
Leave a Comment » | Device Fingerprinting, Internet, Marketing, Privacy, Social Networking Websites, Technology | Tagged: Internet, Privacy, Social Networking | Permalink
Posted by Brian Bowman
Anti-Spam Bill passed in House of Commons
December 1, 2009
Bill C-27, commonly referred to as the ”Anti-Spam Bill”, passed third reading in the House of Commons yesterday and has been referred to the Senate. I originally posted about the Anti-Spam Bill being introduced back in April, so don’t count on speedy passage through the Senate.
(Hat tip to @privacylawyer David Fraser for the heads-up!)
2 Comments | Internet, Marketing, Privacy, Spam | Tagged: Government, Marketing, Spam | Permalink
Posted by Brian Bowman
E-mail disclaimers: why bother?
September 21, 2009
Peruse through your Inbox and look at the e-mails you have received this week. No doubt there will be a few that include legal notices at the bottom of messages warning you of the confidential nature of the correspondence and stressing that if you are not the intended addressee that you are to return the e-mail to the sender… immediately! These automatically generated e-mail disclaimers have become standard business practice. They have become so commonplace it begs the question: are e-mail disclaimers legally enforceable?
This very question has yet to be the focus of judicial consideration in Canada, and it appears as though it remains an unresolved issue in most other jurisdictions. Although bloggers and writers have analyzed e-mail disclaimers, there is no authoritative jurisprudence or legislation to shore up their arguments. There are a number of issues surrounding the enforceability discussion, including, among other things:
- the lack of consideration between parties to create binding contracts via typical e-mails;
- the timing of e-mail disclaimers (they come at the end of e-mails, after recipients have read the messages); and
- the otherwise lack of confidentiality associated with e-mails, which has come to light through the ever-increasing number of e-fraud cases.
That said, it is always safer to err on the side of caution. In the event your organization were unlucky enough to be sued for the contents of an e-mail, it may prove useful to have used an e-mail disclaimer. At the end of the day, even though the enforceability of e-mail disclaimers may not have yet been judicially considered, having an appropriately drafted e-mail disclaimer may help mitigate your businesses’ liability in the event of an unfortunate e-mail mishap.
E-mail disclaimers should be drafted with legal and business considerations in mind in such a manner that reflects the values, marketing strategy and risk tolerance of your organization. Please contact me if I can provide any assistance in drafting an e-mail disclaimer that suits your organization’s needs.
Leave a Comment » | E-mail Disclaimers, Internet, Marketing, Safeguarding, Security | Tagged: Businesses, E-mail Disclaimers, E-mails, Internet, Marketing, Privacy, Safeguards, Security | Permalink
Posted by Brian Bowman
The conflict between mobile devices and privacy: can’t we all just get along?
August 24, 2009
The sound of ringing telephones has caused migraines for millions ever since Alexander Graham Bell placed the first call to Mr. Watson in 1876. But thanks to some newly released technology, that’s about to change. Got a headache? There is, to borrow a phrase from a successful ad campaign, an app for that. Bellaire, Texas med-web company BetterQOL is rolling out iHeadache, an iPhone application that purports to “classify” and assist with diagnosing a user’s headache. iHeadache is one of many cutting edge applications available for use with smartphones. Don’t expect this trend to stop any time soon: thanks to programs like Apple’s iPhone Developer (only $99 for the standard edition), it’s becoming even easier for technology-savvy businesses to create their own apps.
Still not convinced? Consider this list of impressive apps for today’s traveler: Pocket Express, an app that acts as a mobile concierge; Stanza, an app that allows a user to load magazines and books to their smartphone; and GoodFood, which helps a user pick and locate a restaurant based on an array of dining preferences. It’s a good time to be a smartphone user, but perhaps even a better time to be an entrepreneur. Smartphones are increasingly offering businesses a direct window into the hearts, minds and, yes, wallets of potential customers.
But it’s not all good news, privacy advocates remind us. Many smartphone apps guzzle fuel like your Dad’s ’70 GTO, except they’re eating personal user information instead of gasoline. For example, your app may record your location, gender and birth year before it spits out the location of that perfect sale you’ve been looking for. A sizeable amount of personal information is in play, but, fortunately, Ontario’s Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (“IPC”) has been ahead of the curve with its call for “Privacy by Design“. Initially unveiled over 10 years ago, the concept of Privacy by Design combines privacy and security measures at the design specification stage of a project. Instead of waiting until privacy problems pop up to deal with them, Privacy by Design contemplates a proactive approach toward potential privacy issues. This methodology uses Privacy Enhancing Technology such as encryption to provide both maximum security and privacy protection. It is, as the IPC bills it, a “win-win” situation. Other examples of Privacy by Design include anonymous billing systems and depersonalization software.
It’s an exciting time to be a technologically-inclined entrepreneur, but the privacy consequences of smartphone apps cannot (and should not) be ignored. Any business that is considering creating or otherwise implementing an app should consider the privacy implications of doing so, preferably at the early stages of project development.
1 Comment | Internet, Marketing, Mobile devices, PIPEDA, Privacy, Privacy Commissioner, Safeguarding, Security, Smartphones, Technology | Tagged: Businesses, Enterpreneurs, Marketing, Mobile devices, Privacy, Safeguarding, Security, Smartphone Applications, Smartphones, Technology | Permalink
Posted by Brian Bowman
Eddie Van Halen takes on Nike in IP battle
June 18, 2009
Rock legend Eddie Van Halen, best known as the lead guitarist of Van Halen, is reportedly taking legal action against Nike over the alleged use of his signature guitar color scheme on Nike’s new Nike Dunk runners. Van Halen had the red, white and black splattered design most commonly associated with his “frankenstrat” guitar copyrighted in 2001. Van Halen is claiming that the Nike shoes are damaging his image and “causing irreparable harm and damage” to his design. Nike has refuted the allegations and stated that “the Dunk shoe design is not substantially similar to any of the Van Halen designs, and Nike has not referenced the Van Halen name or image as part of any marketing campaign or promotional material associated with the shoe.” Interestingly, Van Halen recently released his own shoe line called or EVH shoes, which feature the recognizable pattern.
This case is noteworthy because it demonstrates the importance of intellectual property rights and how some protect such assets. Having a copyright gives Van Halen the right to control how his design can or cannot be used. Intellectual property rights allow owners to protect their assets against infringement and defend their rights in court. A successful claim may result in monetary damages, an injunction from the use of the infringing material or destruction of the infringing material. Van Halen is taking advantage of the court process by claiming damages and the destruction of all products associated with the Nike Dunk runners. On the other hand, lawsuits can be expensive and that in order to infringe the materials have to be substantially similar. It’s questionable whether the Nike Dunks bare a substantial similarity to Van Halen’s guitar design. Remember the high profile decision between The Wyrd Sisters, a Winnipeg folk group, and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. that saw the band lose a considerable amount of money (including $140,000 in costs) when the judge ruled that the band’s name would not be confused with a band in one of the Harry Potter movies.
Finally, Van Halen may be “running with the devil” and inviting himself up to his own copyright infringement lawsuit. The EVH shoe line has been argued by some as bearing a striking resemblance to Converse All-Stars, a company that just happens to be owned by – you guessed it – Nike.
3 Comments | Copyright, Industrial Design, Intellectual Property, Marketing | Tagged: Copyright, Industrial Design, Infringement, Intellectual Property, Marketing, Nike, Van Halen | Permalink
Posted by Brian Bowman
When should businesses use the ® or ™ symbols?
May 13, 2009
You have probably seen the ® or ™ symbol on products or in advertisements. But what do these symbols mean and when is it appropriate to use them?
Generally, the ® or ™ symbols are used in connection with a trade-mark, which is a word, symbol or design used to distinguish the wares or services of one person or organization from those of others. Trade-marks can be valuable intellectual property.
The Trade-marks Act (Canada) (the “TM Act”) does not contain any marking requirements. However, trade-mark owners often indicate their registration through certain symbols, namely, ® (registered) or ™ (trade-mark). Although the TM Act does not require the use of these symbols, in Canada, the ™ and ® symbols may be used whether the trade-mark is registered or not. However, while this is not a requirement of the TM Act, the ® should be used only if the mark is registered with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. If the ® is used and the mark is not in fact registered, it may be possible for someone to argue its use amounts to false advertising. The ™ suggests the mark is not registered, but can help establish distinctiveness in the mark.
One should be especially careful using the ® outside in Canada. In certain jurisdictions, including the U.S., ® may only be used by the owner of a mark following registration with that jurisdiction’s trade-mark office. For example, if a Canadian company is marketing a product in the U.S. and its mark is not registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, it would not be able to use the ® in connection with its mark and could only use the ™, even if the company has been using ® in Canada all along.
Businesses should consider having their intellectual property “audited” by legal counsel with an expertise in the field and, in doing so, developing an appropriate trade-marks business strategy. When I advise my clients on trade-marks matters I often rely on the expert counsel of my friends and colleagues Jolin Spencer (whom I should thank for this blog post), Robert Watchman and Howard Nerman, all of whom have expertise in trade-marks law.
1 Comment | Copyright, Due Diligence, Industrial Design, Intellectual Property, Marketing, Patent, Trademark | Tagged: Copyright, Due Diligence, Industrial Design, Intellectual Property, Marketing, Patents, Trade Marks | Permalink
Posted by Brian Bowman
