Deadline to File Claim in Copyright Case Fast Approaching

TORONTO , Jan. 15 /CNW/ - A historic settlement has been reached between freelance writer Heather Robertson and several major Canadian media outlets in a class action lawsuit concerning e-rights for writers. Under the terms of the settlement, which was approved by the Superior Court of Ontario on August 12, 2009 , the defendants have agreed to pay $11 million .

Over 350 Canadian publications were cited in the case, including The Globe and Mail, Maclean's, Chatelaine, Canadian Geographic, Toronto Life and now defunct Saturday Night magazine. Freelance writers and artists who contributed to any of the specified media outlets may be eligible to claim settlement money. Staff writers are not eligible to participate in the settlement.

The deadline for filing a claim with Cole & Partners, the claims administrator, is January 18, 2010 , at 5:00 p.m. , Toronto time.

In addition to the publications previously listed on the websites of Koskie Minsky LLP (the Toronto law firm that represented Robertson in the class action suit) and Cole & Partners (the court-appointed settlement claims administrator), freelance writers and artists are advised that a further list of publications from which freelancer works have been reproduced in electronic databases is now available for members of the class to consult in filing their claims. These publications include such newspapers as the Toronto Star and the Hamilton Spectator.

Freelancers should also consult a subject database, available in many libraries, to compile a list of writing credits that may qualify for settlement funds. Freelancers do not need to provide copies of published articles as part of their claim.

Freelancers without access to email or the Internet can contact Koskie Minsky or Cole & Partners and request a copy of the publication list and claims form, to be sent via fax or surface mail. Freelance writers with additional questions about the settlement are also urged to contact these firms.

Claim forms can be downloaded at www.kmlaw.ca/robertsonvthomson

For further information: Koskie Minsky can be reached, toll-free, at 1-866-777-6323 or [email protected]; Cole & Partners can be reached at [phone], or [email protected]