The hallmark of the internet is its ability to vastly increase the capacity for the free exchange of ideas. Through email, messages can be sent almost instantaneously to specific recipients throughout the world. More significantly, through the posting of material on web pages, forums and other similar media, information can be published globally to non-specific recipients. While there are obvious benefits, the ease with which information can be massively proliferated can also greatly increase the damage caused by false or harmful information.

Employed Artists. Copyright in works of regular employees are presumed to be owned by their employers. Thus, in the absence of agreement to the contrary, employers own all rights in works created within an employee’s scope of employment.

Free-Lance Artists and Entrepreneurs. In contrast with employees, free-lance artists and entrepreneurs are ordinarily presumed to own copyright in their work even though there is only one copy, and it is sold. However, a party commissioning a work might insist that it be “for hire” — particularly if it contributes to a still larger work. If (1) this is in writing and (2) the work may be so classified under the definition of “work made for hire” in § 101 of the copyright statute, then both the work and any copyright in it are owned by the party who commissioned it.

This morning the Canadian government announced that it is providing free online access to digital mapping data.  Starting on April 1, 2007, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) began making its electronic topographic mapping data available to all users free of charge over the Internet. Notes Minister Gary Lunn, "Not only will Canadians now have free access to digital maps, but Canada will be known as an important source for digital mapping data around the world." (hat tip: Peter Suber ).

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