Canada Considers Copyright Term Extension for Unpublished Works

A recent attempt to amend Canada's Copyright Act has stirred controversy between policy makers and stakeholders. The copyright provisions of Bill C-36 would amend a provision of the Act relating to the term of copyright for unpublished works of deceased authors whose death occurred between 1930 and 1950. Unusually, the proposed copyright amendments were included in an unrelated bill to merge the National Archives with the National Library of Canada. This American-style copyright extension, nick-named the "Lucy Maud Montgomery Copyright Term Extension Act", arose as a result of lobbying by the heirs of Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of the "Anne of Green Gables" stories. The 10 volumes of diaries written by Ms. Montgomery remained unpublished until after she died. These potentially valuable unpublished works would otherwise enter the public domain on January 1, 2004. The proposed amendment would enable the copyright owner to maintain exclusive control over Ms. Montgomery's works until 2018. Bill C-36 has been returned by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage with minor amendments and will be debated again by the House of Commons on its return from summer recess in September. Coincidentally, on June 18, 2003, the Heritage Committee also announced that it would launch its statutory review of the Copyright Act in the fall of 2003. The issue of copyright extensions, along with a variety of other issues such as digital copyright reforms and the liability of ISPs, will be considered in detail at this time. To many commentators, a parliamentary review is much the preferred context for the copyright extension debate. For more information on copyright extension, visit: http://makeashorterlink.com/?R2EE12915 http://shorl.com/feprytyfretyti To view a copy of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage's press release, visit: http://makeashorterlink.com/?Y11F21915 Summary by: Nicholas Wong If you have a question about copyright that has been bothering you, call Marijo Coates or Jennifer Jannuska.