Last week I delivered a talk on copyright reform at Concordia University titled Why Copyright. It focused on the response to Bill C-61, the growth of Fair Copyright for Canada, and the potential for different copyright reform choices. The talk – slides and audio – are embedded below.
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61 Reforms to C-61, Day 61: The Mysterious Section 3
The 61 reforms to Bill C-61 project concludes with one of the most puzzling provisions in the bill. Bill C-61 adds the following to copyright owners' basic set of exclusive rights: in the case of a work that can be put into circulation as a tangible object, to sell or […]
C-61 in 61 Seconds – The Winners
Thanks to the many people who took the time to create videos for the C-61 in 61 Seconds video competition. The judges have reviewed all the submissions and selected three as their top choices: Kill Bill (C-61), Bill C-61's Bizarre Digital Lock Rights, and La Petite View Numerique/The Simple Life […]
61 Reforms to C-61, Day 60: Photography Provisions
While they have received little attention, Bill C-61 contains several provisions long demanded by professional photographers. Under current copyright law, where a photograph is commissioned (ie. school photos, weddings, etc.), the copyright in the photo rests with the person who commissioned it (ie. the consumer). Photographers have long thought this unfair and sought to obtain exclusive copyright in the photos. Absent a legislative change, most photographers use contract to obtain the rights they require.
Bill C-61 would change the current default by deleting the provision that grants copyright to the commissioner of the photograph. In an attempt to alleviate consumer concerns, the bill also includes a provision that states that it is not an act of copyright infringement:
for an individual to use for private or non-commercial purposes a photograph or portrait that was commissioned by the individual for personal purposes and made for valuable consideration, unless the individual and the owner of the copyright in the photograph or portrait have agreed otherwise.
This consumer-focused provision address some, though not all, of the consumer-related concerns with the photography reforms since an exception is a far cry from being the actual copyright owner.
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