Copyright in Canada: IFLA Submits Comments on the Review of the Copyright Act

From the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA):

With the right copyright laws key to library activities, IFLA actively advocates for positive reforms at the international, regional and national levels. In light of the current review of Canada’s copyright law, IFLA has submitted comments in order to strengthen the voice of libraries in the process.
Canada currently has some exemplary copyright legislation in terms of responding to the needs of libraries while respecting the interests of rightsholders. In its submission, IFLA therefore advocates for the current very positive provisions to remain unchanged, especially as concerns the right to use works for education strengthened in 2012.
There has been much talk of a loss of revenues in the Canadian publishing sector to the adoption of this provision. However, Canadian libraries, especially university libraries, are investing a growing share of their budgets in digital content, a point reflected in publishers’ own reports. Indeed, it is the shift from physical to digital media that seems better to explain falls in photocopying licence fees.
The education fair dealing should therefore not be removed. It gives libraries flexibility to operate, allowing many uses of works that respond to a public interest need and do not unreasonably harm the legitimate interests of rightsholders.

Read the Complete Summary
Direct to Full Text of Submission (5 pages; PDF)

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