Art and Artist Copyright, Canada

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION - Joseph Cross, 2007.

A common and misunderstood perception held by a large portion of the public is that if they own something they have the right to reproduce it or lend it to someone to reproduce it for sale or otherwise.

The rights of artists are protected under Canadian Copyright Law.

In Canadian Copyright Law 3^rd edition by Leslie Ellen Harris published by McGraw-Hill Ryerson page 168 states “In basic terms, copyright is violated by doing any of the things or exercising any of the rights that only the copyright owner may do, without the consent of the copyright owner.” 

Artists have automatic protection as there are no formalities requisite to obtaining copyright protection.  In other words, no registration or specific markings are required on original works.  Page 191 “For example owning a painting does not necessarily mean that you own copyright in that painting.  If you own the ‘physical property’ – that is, the painting – you cannot reproduce it or exhibit it in public without authorization from the copyright holder.”