Question:

Canadian copyright laws pertaining to photographs?

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Can anybody tell me the law pertaining to photographs in Canada? I tried to read the Canadian copyright act but it's confusing. And are they for the whole of Canada or are they different in each province? I'd like to know every law but would really like to know if someone takes a picture of you and gives you a copy of that picture can you reproduce that copy? And if you have a copy of a picture but don't know who took the picture can you reproduce that picture? I'm talking legally can you do these things? Do they have to have a copyright symbol on them or what?

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  1. Hi Powder

    The Law is different in Canada . I live here so I can relate easily. Any copyright infringement is a Federal Offence in Canada. We have 2 government. On the provincial side, we don't care.

    Also, it is considered a blue collar crime now in canada. If it is your picture and somebody gives it to you or not, you are allowed to do what you want with it. And if you take another pic, the law says that as long as you are not making money or re-selling it, you can do what you want.


  2. The Canadian law is summarised here:

    http://ambientlight.ca/laws.php#Ownershi...

    It looks like it covers the whole of Canada.

    "if someone takes a picture of you and gives you a copy of that picture can you reproduce that copy?"

    This would depend under what terms you were given or bought the photo.  The copyright will rest with the photographer unless it's been assigned.  If you have a licence to use the photo you need to stick to that use so unless you are sure - ask the photographer's permission.

    "And if you have a copy of a picture but don't know who took the picture can you reproduce that picture? "

    No.  The picture is still in copyright even if you don't know who shot it.  You should search for the photographer to get permission.

    "I'm talking legally can you do these things? Do they have to have a copyright symbol on them or what?"

    A © symbol is not required - copyright exists in the image once created automatically - it does not need a notice attached.

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