Statement on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Access Copyright congratulates the federal government on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) reached with the United States and Mexico, which will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

We are pleased to see the final agreement preserves the exception for cultural industries. The exception plays a critical role in allowing the Canadian cultural sector to produce and disseminate works that speak to all Canadians.

The USMCA’s extension of the copyright term in the final agreement from life plus 50 years to life plus 70 years will provide creators and publishers with greater protection for their published works and align Canada with international norms.

“Reaching an agreement with the United States and Mexico is a significant accomplishment for the federal government,” said Roanie Levy, Access Copyright’s CEO & President. “On behalf of Canadian creators and publishers, we are pleased that the federal government recognizes the importance of key cultural protections and negotiated with the interests of Canadian creators and publishers in mind. We look forward to learning more about the agreement in its entirety.”