An email reminder from copyright licensing agency Access has reminded us to remind you about the second Robertson Settlement—because sometimes, in late summer, these kinds of things slip our minds, don’t they?
As a result of the decision that was approved on May 2, 2011 (a separate settlement with CanWest was approved on June 16), writers can now make claims. And, in fact, if you are one of those writers, you must make a claim by October 15 at 5:00 p.m. EDT.
If you’re not sure if you’re one of those freelance writers, consult this updated list of all the publications published by Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd., Rogers Publishers Limited, or Canwest Publishing Inc. that the settlement covers. That said, you may be eligible to make a claim under the settlement if you wrote for one of those publications during the listed time frame. You can find more information on making a claim, and access the settlement claim form, here.
If you want more details on the rulings that approved the settlement, you can read the approval notice [PDF] in English or in French.
Is there anything else you think your fellow freelancers should know about the settlement? Share your thoughts/advice in the comments.
Letters are now issuing regarding payments in the second Robertson class action suit. Is there any resource available to help freelancers deal with the tax implications of the settlement awards?
An update, for readers interested in David’s question:
David reports that he heard back from someone at Duff & Phelps who said that, in her experience with Robertson v Thomson, “different claimants had different tax implications based on the nature of their claims and amounts received” and recommended, once freelancers knows their share, to consult with a personal tax advisor about their particular situation.
Whether or not the Heather Robertson settlement payment is considered taxable income should not depend on the recipient’s “perception” but rather the nature of the case, no?
And isn’t the nature of the claims the same for everyone, i.e. unauthorized use? Differences in amounts received should be irrelevant, IMO.
If anyone has a straight answer about whether or not the settlement payments are taxable I would love to know.
If they are in some cases and not in others, can we have some examples in order to understand?
4 comments
Letters are now issuing regarding payments in the second Robertson class action suit. Is there any resource available to help freelancers deal with the tax implications of the settlement awards?
Thanks for that question, David. I’m going to find an answer for you ASAP.
An update, for readers interested in David’s question:
David reports that he heard back from someone at Duff & Phelps who said that, in her experience with Robertson v Thomson, “different claimants had different tax implications based on the nature of their claims and amounts received” and recommended, once freelancers knows their share, to consult with a personal tax advisor about their particular situation.
Thanks to David for sharing this info with us.
Whether or not the Heather Robertson settlement payment is considered taxable income should not depend on the recipient’s “perception” but rather the nature of the case, no?
And isn’t the nature of the claims the same for everyone, i.e. unauthorized use? Differences in amounts received should be irrelevant, IMO.
If anyone has a straight answer about whether or not the settlement payments are taxable I would love to know.
If they are in some cases and not in others, can we have some examples in order to understand?