IP monitor: Government of Canada initiates consultation on modernizing copyright framework for AI and the Internet of Things

On July 16, 2021, the federal government (through the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and the Minister of Canadian Heritage) launched a public consultation on adapting Canada’s copyright framework to ongoing developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). The government is seeking submissions including on issues surrounding:

• an exception for text and data mining (TDM);
• authorship and ownership of works created by AI or created with the assistance of AI;
• infringement and liability surrounding both AI-generated works and infringement by AI or the development of AI; and
• repair and interoperability issues associated with technological protection measures (TPM).

Alongside the announcement, a consultation paper was published identifying some of the challenges to the copyright framework posed by these topics, some options and approaches being considered to address those challenges, and questions to guide stakeholder submissions. The government hopes to develop measures that will:

• support innovation and investment in AI and other emerging technologies;
• preserve the incentive to create new works and innovative products, including by ensuring rights holders are adequately remunerated; and
• support competition and consumer flexibility in the IoT space.

Canadians and stakeholders can submit comments by email to copyright-consultation-droitdauteur@canada.ca until September 17, 2021.

Click here to read our publication where we outline some of the key areas of focus for the government.