Copyright is a legal right which permits the copyright owner to prevent others from copying an artistic, literary, dramatic or musical work. Only the copyright owner has the legal right to reproduce the work, either in whole or in part, and in any form. The copyright owner also has the right to sue others who copy or distribute unauthorized the work without the copyright owners permission.
How Long does Copyright Last?
Copyright subsists for the life of the author plus fifty(50) years. In the case of photographs and sound recordings, Copyright subsists for fifty(50) years from the year in which those works were created.
Enforcing Copyright against Copyright Infringers
Copyright infringement occurs when someone copies, either in whole or in part, a work in which copyright exists. Copyright infringement also occurs where someone knowingly distributes unauthorized copies (i.e. pirate copies) of a work in which copyright subsists. Finally, anyone who directs or authorizes another person to make infringing copies of a work, or to distribute those infringing copies, also commits an act of copyright infringement. The copyright owner can bring lawsuits against any or all of these people for any damages resulting from the copyright infringement. If the lawsuit is successful, the copyright owner may be able to get a court order for damages, for lost profits, and/or a court injunction barring the copying and/or sale of the infringing work.
Knowingly copying or distributing unauthorized copies of a work may also be punishable under the Criminal Code.
