Canadian Race Relations Foundation

This is practical guide to the Canadian Copyright Act meant to educate the average Canadian on practicing fair copyright. It identifies various concerns relevant to different interest groups (i.e. artists, designers, musicians, librarians, journalists, consumers) and explains in layman’s terms, the legal, cultural and functional implications of the Canadian Copyright law. The first section of the guide introduces the historical and philosophical aspects of copyright, practiced in Canada, U.S., Great Britain, and France. The second section explains and clarifies the Copyright Act, by grounding the theory in relevant Canadian case law. The third portion further illustrates the role of copyright in specific creative communities and institutions, with real-life examples and applicable case law. The final part of the guide discusses copyright policies and the future of copyright in today’s digital age.