Section 32.1 of the Copyright Act features a list of several exceptions that ensure that the Copyright Act is compatible with other federal statutes that might require copying that would otherwise constitute infringement. While none of these exceptions are particularly crucial from a user perspective, the principle of consistently retaining the Act's prescribed exceptions is an important one. The statutory obligation provisions include disclosures under the Access to Information Act, the Privacy Act, the Cultural Property Export and Import Act, and Broadcasting Act requirements. The Access to Information Act may be relevant here given that DRM's submissions to the government could fall within an ATIP request. Similarly, the Broadcasting Act provision could become relevant. To address the issue, a blanket circumvention right to meet statutory obligations is needed.
30 Days of DRM – Day 25: Statutory Obligations (Circumvention Rights)
September 11, 2006
Tags: 30 days of drm / copyright / drm / statutory obligationsCopyright Microsite - About the Canadian DMCACopyright Microsite - Canadian CopyrightCopyright Microsite - Digital Rights Management
Share this post

Law Bytes
Episode 237: A Conversation with Jason Woywada of BCFIPA on Political Party Privacy and Bill C-4
byMichael Geist

June 23, 2025
Michael Geist
Search Results placeholder
Recent Posts
Canadian Government Caves on Digital Services Tax After Years of Dismissing the Risks of Trade Retaliation
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 238: David Fraser on Why Bill C-2’s Lawful Access Powers May Put Canadians’ Digital Security At Risk
Ignoring the Warning Signs: Why Did the Canadian Government Dismiss the Trade Risks of a Digital Services Tax?
Why Bill C-2 Faces a Likely Constitutional Challenge By Placing Solicitor-Client Privilege at Risk
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 237: A Conversation with Jason Woywada of BCFIPA on Political Party Privacy and Bill C-4