Copyright Update: September 2011

Printer-friendly version

Federal Industry Minister Christian Paradis will reintroduce the government's copyright reform bill in the Legislature on Thursday September 29. The Bill is expected to be passed by late December. OPSBA representative Cynthia Andrew will continue to represent member boards through her participation in the Education Copyright Users working group that also includes such organizations as Council of Ministers of Education Canada (CMEC), the Canadian Teachers' Federation (CTF), universities, colleges and home and school federations. More information will be provided regarding the progress of the legislation as soon as it becomes available. The following are media articles concerning the reintroduction of the Copyright legislation.

Government reintroduces copyright legislation
As reported by Sarah Schmidt, Postmedia News, September 29

Canada tries again to update copyright legislation
As reported by Randall Palmer and Louise Egan, September 28

As background, prior to the federal election, a copyright reform bill, Bill C-32 proposed several beneficial amendments and additions to the Copyright Act. In particular, Bill C-32 included clauses dealing with the educational use of the internet, long sought after by the Canadian School Boards Association and other national educational organizations. Bill-C32 died on the order paper when the federal election was called.

Cynthia Andrew also is a member of the CMEC Copyright Tariff Sub-Committee. The sub-committee is working on two significant issues: the first, the Supreme Court of Canada Appeal of certain aspects of the Access Copyright Tariff 2005-2009; and second, preparation for objection to the proposed Access Copyright Tariff 2010-2012.

For more information, see
Matters Pertaining to Copyright (Report to Board of Directors, Sep 2011)