In Canada Copyright is managed by the Federal Government’s Intellectual Property Office. They define copyright as “the exclusive legal right to produce, reproduce, publish or perform an original literary, artistic, dramatic or musical work.” Whenever you create an original work, it is automatically protected by copyright. You can register your copyright with the government for more protection if you like.
Copyright laws control how someone’s intellectual property can or cannot be used. There are exceptions though, and educational purposes are one of the exceptions in the Copyright Act. When you conduct research for a school project you are using other people’s copyrighted property. You are using the material under the condition that you give credit to the source of the information. This is why a bibliography or works cited list is essential part of your research.
For information on Copyright Law for schools, see the publication below called Copyright Matters!, or for more information see the full copyright act below.
