International Context

International Treaties on Copyright

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

In addition to work on domestic copyright issues, the Department of Canadian Heritage in collaboration with Industry Canada and Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, is actively engaged in international efforts to enhance the effectiveness of the copyright regime.

International Treaties on Copyright

Several international treaties define the basic standards for the protection of copyright. Canada is signatory to the following agreements, or is taking part in the negotiations pertaining to them:

Berne Convention

Canada is a member of the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works. The Berne Convention sets minimum standards of protection for authors of literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works. It also defines the scope and duration of protection.

Rome Convention

In 1997, Canada acceded to the Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations (Rome Convention). Ratified by 88 countries, this agreement allows Canadian performers and sound recording producers to be eligible to receive royalties when their works are performed or broadcast in member countries.

Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights

In 1996, the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) came into force. All WTO member countries, including Canada, are bound by the provisions of the TRIPS Agreement.

Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement

Canada announced in the Fall of 2007 that it would engage in negotiations to create an Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), with a number of countries including the United States, the European Union member states, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico.

The ACTA aims to establish international standards in order to fight more efficiently the problem of counterfeiting and piracy. The agreement is intended to improve international cooperation and to establish better practices of application, while providing a more effective legal framework. Negotiations on the contents of the upcoming treaty are currently underway.

Free-trade bilateral agreements

Several international trade agreements contain provisions on intellectual property, including copyright. Please consult the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website to obtain more information on the agreements and the negotiations in progress.

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO

WIPO is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It is dedicated to developing a balanced and accessible international intellectual property system

As a WIPO member, Canada is an active participant in WIPO activities and various committees.

Internet Treaties

Canada participated in the 1996 Diplomatic Conference that led to the creation of the two World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Treaties dealing with copyright in the digital era: the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty. The Treaties came into force in 2002. Canada signed the two Treaties in 1997, but has not yet ratified them.

Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights

In 1998, WIPO created the Standing Committee of Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR). This committee is currently examining the development of challenges related to broadcasting, audio-visual, limitations, and exceptions on intellectual property.

Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore

WIPO created the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore. This Committee was established as an international forum of debate and dialogue on the interaction between intellectual property, traditional knowledge, genetic resources and traditional cultural expressions.