COVID-19: Copibec is finding solutions

Copibec continues to adapt so we can meet your needs during the pandemic

Executive Director's update

The COVID-19 situation is evolving rapidly in Quebec and all around the world. During this crisis, Copibec is continuing to operate remotely. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Copibec is taking action

The pandemic has plunged the entire world into uncertainty, including the arts and culture sector and its many freelancers and self-employed workers. We're here for you and we’re working on rolling out our direct deposit system sooner than planned in order to ensure that royalty payments continue to be made during the crisis. Of course, we’ll let you know about any changes. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date.

In addition, Copibec and other players in the arts and culture industry have been given assurance by the federal government that copyright royalties received for a period prior to the COVID-19 crisis will not prevent you from being eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

Solutions for the Quebec education sector

Copibec has adjusted its licences to help the education sector as well as content creators and their publishers. For example, the reproduction limit for books has been raised from the usual 15% to 35%. Some types of use can also be authorized at no extra charge. These changes are temporary and are currently expected to remain in effect until May 1, 2020. See our website for complete details.

Data collection/reporting

We made another series of changes after Quebec school boards were closed. The educational institutions participating in the data collection process will have until April 30 to report the content they reproduced, scanned or displayed during the second reporting period that ended on March 31. Teaching personnel can report their content immediately by logging into their accounts. Our education sector team is available to answer your questions and support you in this process.

In the face of so much uncertainty, we understand that teaching personnel may not have all the information they need to report the content they’ve reproduced. That’s why we’re asking you to provide all the information you have on hand. Every piece of information is valuable so Copibec can compensate the creators behind the material you’ve used. Those royalties make a big difference, especially during difficult times like this.

Visual arts

Registration for the visual arts payment ended on March 31. Since then, our rightsholder services team has been checking the information provided to us. Given the circumstances, we’re not able to say when the amounts will be paid out but we intend to make the payments in the coming weeks. Rest assured: we’re doing everything we can to get the payments out as early as possible.

Your Copibec team is monitoring the situation closely. While we wait for some of these challenges to end, this is a time for showing solidarity and staying home.

Frédérique Couette
Executive Director

Copyright news from Canada and beyond

Internet Archive allows unlimited access to 1 million documents

This is not the first time this online platform has infringed copyright by lending digital books. Internet Archive has now created a “national emergency library” and is using it as an excuse to make 1.4 million documents available free of charge. Why? To address an “unprecedented global and immediate need for access to reading and research materials.” For authors and their publishers, it’s a clear example of opportunistic behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the article from L’ActuaLitté.

Virtual book fair supporting Quebec’s book industry

The COVID-19 crisis has led to many worthwhile initiatives bringing people together (virtually) and enabling them to share. Now a virtual book fair has been formed online. Go to their Facebook page for recommendations on what to read and take part in their activities from April 23 to 26. Authors will be reaching out safely from home.

Visit their Facebook page.

Uncertain future for magazines in Quebec and across Canada

With the whole world facing uncertainty because of COVID-19, magazine publishers are no exception, especially after the government ordered all non-essential activities to shut down. Printers are on hiatus and sales outlets are closed… Many publishers aren’t sure whether their operations will even be able to restart after the lockdown is lifted.

Read the article from Le Devoir.

Internet and copyright: how to use content legally

The Internet has proven to be indispensable: it’s an unlimited source of information and content of all kinds. We all know how it feels to find an article, photo, video, illustration or audio (...)

Copibec taking action as COVID-19 hits the arts and culture industry

The COVID-19 outbreak has forced the entire country to take the necessary measures to limit the pandemic’s spread. Copibec is no exception.

Your copyright collective closed its office on (...)