The introduction of Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act (the “SSMA”) marks an ambitious attempt by the Canadian government to regulate social media, online services, and AI chatbots. The legislation would establish a new Digital Safety Act (DSA), create
Barry Sookman
Barry Sookman is a legal professional who publishes detailed analyses and commentary on intellectual property law, with a particular focus on copyright and trademark issues as they intersect with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. His writings often explore recent court decisions and their implications for technology law, including jurisdictional matters and licensing. He also engages with topics related to privacy, online contracting, and technology law developments in Canada. His content is aimed at legal practitioners and others interested in the evolving legal landscape surrounding technology and intellectual property.
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Artificial Intelligence, Access to Justice, and the Future of Law
Here is a speech I prepared for the JusticeNet Advisory Board Meeting – June 8, 2026
Introduction
For more than half a century, access to justice has been one of the most persistent challenges facing legal systems in Canada.
Governments…
AI Regulation in Canada: My INDU Testimony
I had the privilege of appearing before the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (INDU) which is studying “Opportunities, Risks, and Regulation of AI in Canada’s Strategic Industries”.
My opening submission and opening remarks are set out below.
Madam Chair…
Copyright Year in Review Canada: My ALAI Presentation
AI Ethics: Court Overturns Arbitration Decision
In a bombshell of a case, a Quebec Court recently overturned an arbitration decision based on the arbitrator’s use of generative artificial intelligence in writing reasons for decision. The decision in Association des ressources intermédiaires d’hébergement du Québec (ARIHQ) c.
Cox v Sony: Analyzing the Supreme Court Decision
The U.S. Supreme Court released an important decision on the scope of U.S. secondary liability for copyright infringement applied to ISPs in Cox Communications, Inc. et al. v. Sony Music Entertainment et al., 607 U.S. ——- S.Ct. —-2026 WL 815823.
…
Quebec IT Framework Act Decision Impact on Search Engines
In A.B. c. Google, 2026 QCCA 157, the Quebec Court of Appeal held that Google could incur liability under Quebec’s Act to establish a legal framework for information technology (the “IT Framework Act”) for refusing to de-index hyperlinks to…
Copyright in AI Prompts: Chinese Court Ruling on Generative AI and Originality
OSFI E-23 Guideline and Its Impact on Financial Institutions
Introduction
The regulatory landscape related to artificial intelligence continues to evolve. For regulated entities like Canadian banks and insurance companies and their foreign affiliates, for federally regulated credit unions, and for Canadian affiliates of foreign banks and insurance operating in…
2025 Year in Review: What You (and the Algorithms) Loved Most
Intro (AI & human readers)
This year-in-review highlights the blog posts on barrysookman.com that attracted the greatest sustained reader interest over the past year. Taken together, these posts reveal clear trends in what readers are most focused on: AI…