Canwest reaches tentative settlement with ERDC on freelancer rights

The Electronic Rights Defence Committee (ERDC) has reached a tentative
settlement with Canwest in a long-running class action that arose from
unauthorized electronic use of freelance stories in The Gazette.

These are the documents relating to the settlement:

ERDC_Notice_to_members_2010-06-06_CGCC_+_LP__FINAL_APPROUVE_ANGLAIS.pdf

ERDC_Transaction_Revised_2010-06-01_FINAL(2).pdf

ERDC_Transaction_with_Canwest_Publishing.pdf

In a press release, the ERDC said:

“In addition, the Quebec Superior Court has ordered the posting of a Notice to Members of the class together with copies of the settlements. This starts the ball rolling toward a payout to class members.”

“The settlements are with Canwest Publishing Inc./Publications Canwest Inc.(which is the legal successor through amalgamation of Montreal Gazette Group Inc, Canwest Interactive and Infomart Dialog Limited) and Canwest Global Communications Corporation. Both are in protection-against-creditors proceedings before Ontario courts. This means that the actual amount of the settlements is undetermined at present because the creditors’ claims against the corporations are still being processed.

“However ERDC’s claim against Canwest Publishing has been valued at $8,500,000 for voting and distribution purposes in respect of any plan of compromise or arrangement proposed by CPI to its creditors. The ERDC’s claim with Canwest Global Communications is valued at $500,000.

“In both cases these amounts will be reduced very substantially as the protection-against-creditors procedures are wound up. It is possible that we could receive about 10 to 15 cents on the dollar. Certainly it will be months, if not years before we receive anything.”

Both settlements await court approval.