As family historians we are directly affected by copyright. As researchers we want access to records. Often, we are self-publishers and educators.
In 2018 the Federal government started a review of Canada’s copyright laws with the aim for completion in early 2019. Members of the Family History Group submitted a brief on December 12, 2018 to the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology and our Member of Parliament, Dan Ruimy for the Statutory Review of the Copyright Act to promote awareness in the Committee regarding the needs and concerns of family historians about the copyright constraints that govern our work in telling Canada’s story.
This submission addresses the confusion that surrounds the use of previously published materials and unpublished original and copied documents and images, with particular concern for the changes proposed by the US Mexico Canada Agreement.
We support Canadian creators, publishers, libraries and archival institutions but also understand that copyright should strike a balance between protecting a creator’s income while, at the same time, allowing for the freedom for new works to be created using previously created materials.
We feel strongly that copyright law should be accessible and easily understood by the general public and not require legal advice to ensure compliance.
I encourage you to educate yourself about copyright get involved in the discussion.
Judy G. Russell and the Legal Genealogist is a good blog to follow but Canadians need to keep in mind that is from an American perspective and our copyright laws are different in Canada.
