The budget revealed several initiates to amend the Copyright Act. Specifically, the budget reveals the government’s intention to amend the Copyright Act to implement Canada’s term extension obligations under the CUSMA and to ensure fair remuneration for copying in the educational sector.
Here is what the government has planned.
In Budget 2022, the government proposes to introduce amendments to the Copyright Act to extend the general term of copyright protection from 50 to 70 years after the life of the author as agreed under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement.
The government is committed to ensuring that the Copyright Act protects all creators and copyright holders. As such, the government will also work to ensure a sustainable educational publishing industry, including fair remuneration for creators and copyright holders, as well as a modern and innovative marketplace that can efficiently serve copyright users.
** Update April 26, 2022: The Government tabled the Budget Implementation Act, 2020 to extend the copyright term for works to 70 years.