In the “All About You” feature, you learned about actions that were taken to strengthen Canada’s copyright law and the radical changes in technology that drove the need to update the law. You have recently graduated from a music program and have composed two songs that you believe a recording artist may produce. You are wondering how you can best get copyright protection for your songs.

Instructions 

Go to the Government of Canada website at www.canada.gc.ca and search for its publication “A Guide to Copyright” from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. Answer the following questions: 

a. What is a copyright and to what does copyright apply? 

b. How can you obtain a copyright for your songs and what do you have to do to be protected? 

c. What are the benefits to you of getting copyright registration for your songs? 

d. How and where do you register a copyright? 

e. When you register a copyright, you are required to pay a fee for the registration. Should the registration fee for the copyright be recorded as an asset or an expense? 

f. Go to the glossary in “A Guide to Copyright.” What is infringement of copyright? Provide a specific example of infringement. 

g. Go to frequently asked questions in “A Guide to Copyright.” How long does copyright last?