Alberta (Education) v. Access Copyright

Alberta (Education) v. Access Copyright

The Court held that the Board’s factual finding that category 4 teacher-initiated multiple classroom copies were not fair dealing was reasonable and will not be disturbed, but allowed the application in part because the Board failed to determine and apply whether the works were commercially available in a medium...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
2010 FCA 198
Parties
Applicant: The Province of Alberta et al.; Respondent: The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency (Operating as "Access Copyright"); Intervener: Canadian Association of University Teachers; Intervener: Canadian Publishers' Council; Association of Canadian Publishers; Canadian Educational Resources Council
Court
Federal Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction
Canada
Judgment Date
23 July 2010
Procedural Posture
Judicial Review – Copyright Board Tariff Decision / Federal Court of Appeal Judgment
Outcome
Application allowed in part and remitted to the Copyright Board on s.29.4 issue; Board's finding that Category 4 copies are not fair dealing upheld
Legal Topics
Fair Dealing, Section 29.4 Examination Exception, Tariff/royalty Determination, Standard of Review
Source Language
en
Copyright Law Administrative Law Education Law Fair Dealing Section 29.4 Examination Exception Tariff/royalty Determination Standard of Review

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Parties

The Province of Alberta et al.

Applicant

The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency (Operating as "Access Copyright")

Respondent

Canadian Association of University Teachers

Intervener

Canadian Publishers' Council; Association of Canadian Publishers; Canadian Educational Resources Council

Intervener

Procedural Posture

Judicial Review – Copyright Board Tariff Decision / Federal Court of Appeal Judgment

  1. 1 Whether multiple copies made by teachers for classroom use constitute fair dealing under ss.29 and 29.1 of the Copyright Act
  2. 2 Whether copies fall within s.29.4 exemption for reproductions required for tests or examinations when works are commercially available only in media inappropriate for the purpose
  3. 3 What standard of review applies to Board findings on fair dealing and on statutory interpretation of s.29.4

Ratio Decidendi

The Court held that the Board’s factual finding that category 4 teacher-initiated multiple classroom copies were not fair dealing was reasonable and will not be disturbed, but allowed the application in part because the Board failed to determine and apply whether the works were commercially available in a medium appropriate for the purpose under s.29.4(3); the matter is remitted to the Copyright Board for that specific determination.

Court Disposition

Application allowed in part and remitted to the Copyright Board on s.29.4 issue; Board's finding that Category 4 copies are not fair dealing upheld

Orders

  • The Decision of the Copyright Board is remitted to the Copyright Board to determine the meaning of "in a medium appropriate for the purpose" in subsection 29.4(3) and to assess whether Category 4 copies fall within that meaning
  • No costs awarded