At the end of June, Canada extended the term of copyright for sound recordings from 50 to 70 years, bringing it in line with such countries as the US, France, the U.K., and Australia.
Randy Bachman, lead guitarist of the iconic Canadian rock band The Guess Who, was a vocal supporter of the change. However, copyright expert Michael Geist quickly dismissed many of the points from Bachman’s June 23rd op ed for the Globe & Mail as “absurd.” According to Geist, the extension was the result of strong lobbying by the recording industry.
All other works in Canada continue to be protected for the life of the creator +50 years, the international standard set out in the Berne Convention.
Questions? Contact copyright@langara.ca.
