Writers’ Community of Durham Region breakfast with Ariel A. Thomas

Saturday, June 9, 2012 - 8:30am

Ajax Convention Centre
550 Beck Cres
Ajax, ON
L1Z 1C9

Mention e-publishing in front of a group of writers and it doesn’t take long before one of them will share an experience of having their work stolen and distributed over the internet. It’s unfortunate that piracy is a common occurrence for writers, musicians and filmmakers. Compounding the problem further is the lack of reasonable recourse options available. Interest groups have fought hard and after years of lobbying The Copyright Act in Canada is finally about to change to keep up with the times.

Join us at the next Writers’ Community of Durham Region (WCDR) breakfast meeting on June 9th, 2012 when guest speaker Ariel A. Thomas will explain the latest proposed changes to Canada’s copyright laws. The experienced lawyer will review what kind of protection writers can expect once the proposals are enacted into law. Will it be enough to stop piracy? Or will it introduce more issues for writers? Find out what Ariel thinks at the June breakfast.

Pre-registration is required deadline for registering is 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 6th, 2012.

Ariel is an associate in law firm Fasken Martineau’s Ottawa office. Her practice includes a range of communications, copyright, trade-marks, media, and business law matters. Ariel has appeared as counsel before the Copyright Board of Canada and the Supreme Court of Canada, and has also drafted written submissions to the CRTC and the Federal Court of Appeal. Before joining the firm, Ariel studied law at Osgoode Hall Law School where she received the Bereskin and Parr Copyright Prize and the N.A. Taylor Entrance award for academic excellence and cultural contribution. There, she was a Junior Editor of the Osgoode Hall Law Journal, volunteer law student at Artists’ Legal Advice Services, and competitor in the 2009 North American Regional Round of the ELSA Moot Court Competition in WTO Law, held in Washington, DC.

At the monthly WCDR breakfast meetings, experienced and aspiring writers gather, learn and connect over a gourmet breakfast. Registration fees are $20.00 for members who pre-pay, or $25.00 at the door. The non-member rate is $25.00 and must be pre-paid.

Pre-registration is required. Ask how you can save by becoming a member! Register online, by phone at 905-686-0211 or by email at breakfast@wcdr.org, no later than 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 6th. Anyone who registers by phone or email must indicate their breakfast menu option or will receive the Chef's Special.

The WCDR is dedicated to raising the profile of writers of all kinds, and at all levels, by offering a forum through which they can find support, education and networking opportunities. As a non-profit umbrella organization, WCDR has worked since 1995 to draw together individuals and groups with common interests in promoting the art and skill of writing, fostering literacy, and providing moral support to members. For more information, visit the WCDR website.