Title: History of Copyright

*Updated: December 2023
Extension to Copyright Term in Canada
Effective December 30, 2022, the general term of copyright protection in Canada was extended by 20 years. The term of copyright protection was changed from life of the author plus 50 years ("Life + 50") to Life + 70. This 20-year extension does not apply retroactively to works already in the public domain in 2022.

Learning Objectives:

- Recall key events in the history of copyright
- Understand how copyright has evolved, in particular from a means of encouraging learning to an economic policy
- Understand how copyright’s history is shaped by the interplay of domestic and international factors

Is that the right flag?
Nope! Interestingly Canada's Copyright Act is older than its flag. The flag shown here was officially adopted in 1965.

Copyright as we know it effectively began with:

Q: Copyright as we know it effectively began with:
- A Statue of Anne of Green Gables
- The Statute of Anne (correct)
- The Berne Convention
- The first cave painting circa 38 000 B.C.E.

The US Copyright Term Extension Act is also known as:

Q: The US Copyright Term Extension Act is also known as:
- The Sonny and Cher-Dealing Act
- The Mickey Mouse Copyright Term Extension Act (correct)
- The Steamboat Willie Act
- The Walt Disney Act

Copyright was originally thought of as a means of encouraging:

Q: Copyright was originally thought of as a means of encouraging:
- Learning (correct)
- Harmony between governments
- Financial gain of lawyers
- Compensation for creators

As intellectual property protection and trade became linked, the 1994 TRIPS agreement brought about greater international protection for copyright holders.

Q: As intellectual property protection and trade became linked, the 1994 TRIPS agreement brought about greater international protection for copyright holders.
- True (correct)
- False

In Canada the future of copyright is:

Q: In Canada the future of copyright is:
- Hotly contested
- Subject to international factors
- Something that will impact the way we all use creative works
- All of the above (correct)

Choose the correct statement.

Credits: History of Copyright; by University of Alberta; 2020; licence CC BY 4.0