Freelance Journalist Class Action

François Grenier and Diane Leduc Campbell of Montreal’s Léger Robic Richard are defending two major newspaper publishers in class action proceedings commenced by the Association des journalistes indépendants du Québec (AJIQ), an association of freelance journalists. The suit alleges infringement of copyright resulting from the reproduction of the journalists’ articles on the Internet and claims $30 million in damages. The proceedings, in which thirteen defendants are named, is still at a preliminary stage seeking Superior Court authorization to proceed.