Copyright

Poems, paintings, music cues, performances, board games and computer programs are all valuable creative works, even if, paradoxically, no one is in a position to establish their true value. Some works may fetch a fortune on the market, while others will fetch nothing.

Regardless of their qualities or true commercial value, all these original creative works may be protected by copyright under Canadian law. Owning the copyright to a poem, song or other work confers a number of rights that are protected under copyright law. In fact, this law simply prohibits anyone from copying a work of which you are the author without your authorization. The aim of this law is similar to that of other intellectual property legislation: to protect copyright holders while encouraging creativity and the exchange of information.