Canadian Librarian Resolves Lawsuit with Proctorio Over Sharing Public YouTube Videos
Canadian librarian Ian Linkletter has resolved a five-year legal battle with ed-tech firm Proctorio after being sued for sharing public YouTube videos that explained how the company’s remote-proctoring AI works. The lawsuit, which began when Proctorio claimed that Linkletter shared confidential information through unlisted videos, led to a temporary injunction that eventually ended with a non-monetary settlement. This legal battle sparked debates about free expression and Canada’s new copyright laws, particularly the Protection of Public Participation Act. Linkletter, who had invested his life savings and received support from the public, emphasized that the resolution allows him to continue critiquing Proctorio.
Linkletter’s case came to a head after five years of litigation, with the Canadian courts being forced to grapple with copyright allegations that tested a recently passed law intended to protect Canadian rights to free expression. The Protection of Public Participation Act, which was meant to safeguard public discourse, became central to the legal battle, as Proctorio’s lawsuit questioned the law’s interpretation. The case highlighted tensions between corporate interests and the right to share information, particularly in an educational context.
Throughout the legal battle, Linkletter received significant public and institutional support. He stated that his life savings were invested ten times over to fund his defense, with additional financial contributions coming from around 900 GoFundMe supporters and the Association of Administrative and Professional Staff at UBC. A law firm, Norton Rose Fulbright, also agreed to represent him pro bono in the final year, which Linkletter called a relief. This support, combined with the legal argument, contributed to the resolution of the case.
The terms of the settlement remain confidential, but both Linkletter and Proctorio confirmed that no monetary exchange occurred. The settlement permanently enforces an injunction that restricts Linkletter from posting Proctorio’s help center or instructional materials. However, it does not limit his freedom of speech, as he noted in his blog. Linkletter expressed relief that the case has ended, stating that he has