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Copyright for WMDD

Creator vs. Copyright Owner

The creator is usually the first owner of copyright. However, with works created during the course of employment, the employer is usually considered the copyright owner.

For example, Langara employs a photographer to take photos at College events. Under Canadian copyright law, photographers hold copyright in the images they create, but Langara owns copyright in the images she captures in her role as a staff photographer. 

As you seek employment and take on projects outside of the classroom, be sure to review your contract before signing or ask your employer or client who will own copyright in the works you create. Remember: Terms of employment contracts are open to negotiation!

Case Study: One WMDD Student's Copyright Conundrum

A former WMDD student was re-designing a website for a local company as part of an unpaid internship.

The owner of the company forwarded her an email from a lawyer, whose client was a professional photographer. Apparently, some of the photographer's images had been posted to the company's website by a previous intern without the photographer's permission.

It was unfair of the company's owner to ask the WMDD student to engage in a legal matter. In the end, the company's owner did respond to the letter. Still, this story illustrates the importance of copyright compliance -- particularly with publicly-facing websites.

Please note that the information provided on this site is for educational purposes and is not intended as legal advice.