Test your ©opyright knowledge!

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The popularity of social media raises many questions about the use of protected content. If your posts are full of music clips, film clips, or photos taken by others, could you have crossed the line? Learn more with our copyright quiz. 

Le droit d’auteur (anglais)

What works are protected by copyright?

Wrong answer

Copyright covers a wide range of literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works. Of course, books, songs, and films first come to mind, but here are some other works covered by copyright:

  • architectural plans,
  • choreographies,
  • paintings,
  • plays,
  • computer programs. 

Right answer

Copyright covers a wide range of literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works. Of course, books, songs, and films first come to mind, but here are some other works covered by copyright:

  • architectural plans,
  • choreographies,
  • paintings,
  • plays,
  • computer programs. 

You manage a website where you occasionally relay information from major media articles. Do you have the right to do so?

Right answer

The Copyright Act protects all journalistic content but allows fair use for the communication of news. To use it, you must cite the original source and the media outlet, and if this information appears in the source, the name of the author. 

Wrong answer

The Copyright Act protects all journalistic content but allows fair use for the communication of news. To use it, you must cite the original source and the media outlet, and if this information appears in the source, the name of the author. 

When does copyright generally expire in Canada?

Wrong answer

Copyright law states that copyright generally expires 70 years after the death of the author. If the work is a collective work, copyright expires 70 years after the death of the last person who contributed to the work.

The expiration period is different in certain cases. For example: 

  • if the artist is anonymous, 
    if the work is published after the death of its author,  
    if the copyright belongs to the Crown. 

Right answer

Copyright law states that copyright generally expires 70 years after the death of the author. If the work is a collective work, copyright expires 70 years after the death of the last person who contributed to the work.

The expiration period is different in certain cases. For example: 

  • if the artist is anonymous,
  • if the work is published after the death of its author, 
  • if the copyright belongs to the Crown. 

Must protected works have the © symbol?

Wrong answer

Canadian law does not require you to mark each of your works with the © symbol. This symbol is simply a reminder that your creation is protected by copyright . 

You may see this informative symbol, particularly on websites. It is normally followed by the name of the copyright holder, as well as the year of first publication. 

Right answer

Canadian law does not require you to mark each of your works with the © symbol. This symbol is simply a reminder that your creation is protected by copyright . 

You may see this informative symbol, particularly on websites. It is normally followed by the name of the copyright holder, as well as the year of first publication. 

Your daughter and her high school are putting on the play Toronto, Mississippi as their end-of-year performance. Does Joan MacLeod, the author, have to give his consent?

Wrong answer

Students who recreate a work in a school setting do not risk infringing copyright. The law includes an exception for live performances of works in schools by students for educational purposes and before an audience primarily composed of students.

Note that if the play is produced for profit, the exception no longer applies.

Right answer

Students who recreate a work in a school setting do not risk infringing copyright. The law includes an exception for live performances of works in schools by students for educational purposes and before an audience primarily composed of students.

Note that if the play is produced for profit, the exception no longer applies.