The Struggle For Canadian Copyright

First signed in 1886, the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works is still the cornerstone of international copyright law. Set against the backdrop of Canada's development from a British colony into a middle power, this book reveals the deep roots of conflict in the international copyright system and argues that Canada's signing of the convention can be viewed in the context of a former British colony's efforts to find a place on the world stage. In this groundbreaking book, Sara Bannerman examines Canada's struggle for copyright sovereignty and explores some of the problems rooted in imperial and international copyright that affect Canadians to this day.

"The indispensable guide for writers, musicians, visual artists, filmmakers, publishers, editors, teachers, librarians, students, lawyers and business people."--cover.

In the age of easily downloadable culture, messages about copyright are ubiquitous. If you’re an artist, consumer, or teacher, copyright is likely a part of your everyday life. Completely updated, this revised edition of Canadian Copyright parses the Copyright Act and explains current Canadian copyright law to ordinary Canadians in accessible language, using recent examples and legal cases.

First signed in 1886, the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works is still the cornerstone of international copyright law. Set against the backdrop of Canada’s development from a British colony into a middle power, this book reveals the deep roots of conflict in the international copyright system and argues that Canada’s signing of the convention can be viewed in the context of a former British colony’s efforts to find a place on the world stage. In this groundbreaking book, Sara Bannerman examines Canada’s struggle for copyright sovereignty and explores some of the problems rooted in imperial and international copyright that affect Canadians to this day.

An Emerging Intellectual Property Paradigm is a definitive guide to the creative, cosmopolitan, cool-headed, and compassionate jurisprudence of Canadian intellectual property law. This volume shows that Canadian intellectual property law is an eclectic blend of British, French, and American legal traditions. After a pattern of resistance and accommodation, the legal system has internalised a variety of foreign influences. This collection explores the unique innovations of Canadian intellectual property law such as its pioneering development of moral rights; the robust Copyright Board of Canada; and the Jean Chretien Pledge to Africa Act. Canadian intellectual property law has much to teach the rest of the world forging a Middle Way between the extremes of intellectual property maximalism and free-for-all piracy and counterfeiting. Matthew Rimmer, The Australian National University College of Law, Australia In this book, reputed experts highlight the special features of Canadian intellectual property law. Situated at the crossroads between legal traditions in Europe and the United States, Canada s intellectual property laws blend various elements from these regions and offer innovative approaches. The chapters focus primarily on patents, trademarks, and copyright, covering both historical and contemporary developments. They are designed to bring perspective to and reflect upon what has become in recent years a very rich intellectual property environment. Dealing with the characteristic features of Canadian intellectual property law, this book will be of great interest to scholars and researchers, and undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students of comparative and international intellectual property law, as well as those concerned with industrial property law and copyright law.