Canadian Association of Research Libraries Statement on Copyright Impact of New Free Trade Agreement

The Canadian Association of Research Libraries has released a statement on the on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement that was announced on September 30, 2018:

"The Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) recognizes the importance of securing a modernized continental trade agreement for the contemporary digital economy. However, we are concerned that the new agreement extends the term of copyright from 50 years to 70 years after the artist or creator’s death. Because of this provision, no works will enter the public domain for 20 years after USMCA is ratified (...)"

"We believe that a term of copyright of life plus 50 years is adequate to reward rights holders and beneficiaries, while balancing the benefits that a robust public domain has for Canada’s knowledge-based economy. Unfortunately, although the USMCA exports more restrictive elements of U.S. Copyright Laws to Canada, it does not balance this by importing more permissive elements of U.S. law that protect the public interest, such as the more open-ended concept of fair use, or the exemption of government works from copyright."