Supreme Court rules in favour of copyright users

The Supreme Court of Canada released its decision today in the Law Society of Upper Canada v. CCH Limited case. The court found that the fair dealing/research exception under the Copyright Act should be liberally interpreted to ensure that users' rights are not unduly constrained. In a discussion that could impact digital copyright issues, the court also held that the LSUC did not infringe copyright by providing self-service copiers, ruling that a person does not authorize infringement by authorizing the mere use of equipment that could be used to infringe copyright. Commentary on Decision by Prof. M. Geist