Background
Developments in artificial intelligence (AI) are raising questions as to whether the copyright framework can adequately address new situations. Examples of new situations include the use of copyrighted works as part of text and data mining to train and develop AI applications, and the use of AI to create, produce and distribute literary, musical and other kinds of works. At the same time, the increase in the number of software-enabled products and the growth of the Internet of things (IoT) is introducing its own set of new challenges to copyright law. The IoT highlights not only the importance of technological protection measures (TPMs) for rights holders, but also the barriers to consumers' ability to repair certain software-enabled products equipped with TPMs that prevent access to software. Challenges are also appearing in certain manufacturing industries, where small and medium enterprises are encountering increasing difficulties in developing interoperable products, in part because of the presence of TPMs.
Consultation
The goal of this consultation is to help the Government ensure that Canada's copyright framework for AI and the IoT reflects this evolving digital world. The Government welcomes all comments providing additional perspectives or evidence concerning these issues and potential approaches.
How to participate
The paper for the consultation on a modern copyright framework for artificial intelligence and the Internet of things is available online in both HTML and PDF format. This consultation ran from July 15 to September 17, 2021 and is now closed. Comments received will help inform the Government's policy development process.