Canadian public domain registry developed

[Ann Okerson <ann.okerson@yale.edu>]

Access Copyright, The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency and 
Creative Commons Canada, in partnership with Creative Commons 
Corporation in the US, have announced the development of a 
Canadian public domain registry 
http://www.accesscopyright.ca/resources.asp?a=198 . The 
ground-breaking project - the most comprehensive of its kind in 
Canada - will create an online, globally searchable catalogue of 
published works that are in the Canadian public domain

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Access Copyright and Creative Commons Canada Announce Public Domain
Registry

Ground-breaking project will feature globally searchable 
catalogue of Canadian culture

March 3, 2006. Toronto, ON Access Copyright, The Canadian 
Copyright Licensing Agency and Creative Commons Canada, in 
partnership with Creative Commons Corporation in the US, today 
announced the development of a Canadian public domain registry. 
The ground-breaking project the most comprehensive of its kind in 
Canada will create an online, globally searchable catalogue of 
published works that are in the Canadian public domain.

Canada has a rich cultural heritage of literature, music and fine 
art that is in the public domain just waiting to be freely 
enjoyed, said Marcus Bornfreund of Creative Commons Canada, a 
non-profit organization that works in collaboration with Creative 
Commons US. The problem until now was that there was no easy way 
to identify whether or not works are in the public domain. This 
registry will change that.

There is currently no one place where information about the 
public domain is collected. The registry will make published 
works in the Canadian public domain easily identifiable and 
accessible in an online catalogue. The project will develop in 
two stages first, a comprehensive registry of works by Canadian 
creators that are in the public domain will be established. 
Eventually, the reach of the registry will expand to include the 
published works of creators from other countries. The public 
domain registry will be a non-profit project and freely 
accessible to the public online.

Were excited about this partnership that will enhance and 
preserve Canadian culture by making Canadian works in the public 
domain more widely accessible both here and abroad, said Maureen 
Cavan, Executive Director of Access Copyright, Canadas leading 
copyright licensing agency, which represents a vast repertoire of 
copyright protected works. Creators looking for source material 
and educators looking for classroom content will have this free 
database at their fingertips.

The Wikimedia Foundation, developers of the popular online 
encyclopedia Wikipedia, will supply software that will allow the 
public to contribute information to the registry. "The public 
domain is our shared cultural heritage, and the best ground for 
the great new ideas of the future," said Wikipedia founder Jimmy 
Wales. "Without access to the public domain, we are cut off from 
our past, and therefore cut ourselves off from our future."

The innovative registry's backbone will be Access Copyrights 
Rights Management System, the largest database of copyright 
information in Canada. Individuals will be able to use the 
registry to determine whether a published work is in the public 
domain. The registry will also link to digital versions of the 
work, and provide information about where a paper copy of the 
work can be purchased.

Quick and easy access to legally available content is vital as we 
move further into the digital age, said Roanie Levy, Access 
Copyrights Director of Legal and External Affairs. The public 
domain registry has limitless possibilities and will place 
Canadian cultural content at the leading edge of the public 
domain.

Information about the partners

Access Copyright, The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency, is a 
not-for-profit agency established in 1988 by Canadian publishers 
and creators to license public access to copyright works. The 
agency now represents a vast international repertoire along with 
more than 8,000 Canadian creators and publishers. Access 
Copyright works for both users of copyright works and copyright 
owners by offering convenient, inexpensive and easy licensing 
solutions for users of copyright works and a mechanism for 
copyright owners to receive compensation for the copying of their 
works.

Creative Commons (CC) is a not-for-profit organization, founded 
in 2001, that promotes the creative re-use of intellectual and 
artistic workswhether owned or in the public domain. Creative 
Commons licences provide a flexible range of protections and 
freedoms for authors, artists, and educators that build upon the 
"all rights reserved" concept of traditional copyright to offer a 
voluntary "some rights reserved" approach. It is sustained by the 
generous support of various foundations including the John D. and 
Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Omidyar Network Fund, the 
Hewlett Foundation, and the Rockefeller Foundation as well as 
members of the public from around the world.

Creative Commons Canada (CC Canada) is an organization that works 
in collaboration with Creative Commons US and is dedicated to 
providing information and tools to a growing network of Canadians 
passionate about the effect of copyright laws on our arts and 
culture. As part of an international effort to facilitate the 
availability of open-access licences, Creative Commons Canada 
translated and maintains the popular Creative Commons licence 
suite for use under Canadian law.


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