Introduction

This site is  a compilation of 'deep links' to world-wide web pages concerning 'copyright', i.e. in the English-speaking or Common Law tradition of creator's rights rather than 'author's rights' in the European  Civil Code tradition.  

* 'compleat'  after Walton's Compleat Angler, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English, 6th Edition, Oxford University Press,
Oxford, 1976, page 206 

and 
The Compleat vs. Complete Website http://www.mindspring.com/~mcgatney/compleat.html .

While full attribution and home page references are provided, if any organization or individual objects to 'deep links' to their site, please advise the editor and they will be removed.

To aid  users, an internal search engine for the CWCW site is provided as well as links to a number of world-wide web search engines.

STRUCTURE

The site is divided into seven sections: Author, Country, Institute, Journal, Media, Multilateral and Topic.  Some sections are currently operational; others are not.  Over time all will become operational and each will be continually updated and extended through the addition of new web resources.  The following provides an overview of the nature and structure of the seven sections of the Compleat World Copyright Website:

By Author

A number of authors have made significant contributions to the debate about copyright either in quality and/or quantity.  Links to their web works are provided in this section of CWCW in alphabetic order.  Their web works are also listed by country, institute, journal, media and topic when and where appropriate.  This section is currently operational.

By Country

For each country, sites are organized by type: 

• academics:  'educational' sites including primary, secondary and tertiary educational institutions as well as individual academics;

• collectives: institutions and organizations responsible for the collection and distribution of copyright royalties;

• nonprofits: industry and trade associations as well as 'public interest' organizations;

• profits: commercial for-profit organizations and businesses including law firms; and,

• public: government and quasi-governmental organizations and institutions.

In turn, each site is classified by discipline:

• literary arts:  the written word whether in print or electronic format;

• media arts: broadcasting, motion pictures, multimedia, sound and video recording;

• performing arts: live dance, music, opera and theater;

• visual arts: painting and sculpture;

• internet including multimedia;

• law including national and international copyright law;

• software: computer programs and games; and,

• All: including literary, media, performing and visual arts as well as the internet, law and software.

Given that copyright law is a cultural artifact that varies country to country, this section represents the core of CWCW.  With the exception of the Multilateral section information contained in other sections of CWCW (that is by author, institute, journals, media and topics) are duplicated by country when and where appropriate.  This section is currently operational.

By Institute

A number of institutes specialize in the study of copyright and other forms of intellectual property.  Links to these institutes, in alphabetical order, are provided together with relevant studies conducted under their auspices.  Institutes are also listed by country, journal, media and topic when and where appropriate.  This section is now operational.

By Journal

A number of specialized journals publish articles and studies on copyright and other forms of intellectual property.  Links to such journals, in alphabetical order, are provided together with relevant articles and studies. In addition major magazines and other periodicals, e.g. Atlantic Monthly and Scientific American, from time to time publish significant articles about copyright.   Journals, magazines and periodicals are also listed by country, institute, media and topic when and where appropriate.  This section is operational.

By Media

Copyright varies according to media of expression.  Available web resources are organized in this section according to the following media of expression: literary, media, performing & visual arts; internet; and, software.  Web resources by media are also listed by country, institute, journal and topic when and where appropriate.  This section is not yet operational.

By Multilateral

Copyright operates not just at the national level but also at the international plane including bilateral (between two countries) and multilateral (between more than two countries) relations.  Agreements, conventions, covenants and treaties govern the application of national copyright law.  The Multilateral section is divided into two parts:

• I - Agencies: including the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (INFLA), International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFRRO), International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), Internet Society (ISOC), United Nations Education, Science, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the World Intellectual Property Organizations (WIPO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO); and,

• II - Instruments: including 44 'global' and 'regional' agreements, conventions, covenants and treaties as well as UNESCO recommendations

This section of CWCW is currently operational.  

By Topic

Copyright has many dimensions.  For purposes of the CWCW these include: administration, comparative studies, international copyright, moral rights, infringement, ownership, neighboring rights, performer's rights, remedies, royalties, term, and works in which copyright subsists.  Web resources by topic are also listed by author, country, institute, journal and multilateral, when and where appropriate.  This section is not yet operational.

LIMITATIONS

First, the CWCW is a continual work-in-progress.  New sites and relevant pages surface every day.  Similarly, some sites and/or pages disappear.  Users are invited to inform the editor of broken links and/or revised ones to reported sites as well as recommend new sites and/or pages for inclusion.  CWCW will, accordingly, have to be updated regularly.  Additions and changes will be reported under News.  

Second, in spite of an extensive initial effort, some sites and web pages have been missed.  Such oversights will be corrected through time.  Users are invited to inform the editor of new or existing sites that have slipped through the cracks. 

Third, while an effort has been made to standardize presentation of mailing addresses, phone and fax numbers and other information, some have resisted the editor's experience and expertise.  If there are problems, please advise me.

Fourth, the information provided at CWCW is meant as a guide only.  It is not exhaustive and is not an authoritative statement of the law in the various countries or the rules and regulations of the various international organizations reported. Please seek independent professional advice before acting on any matter contained in this web site.

Fifth and finally, this is a 'free' site intended to aid and assist those interested and concerned with copyright for whatever reasons - academics, commercial, research or general interest.  To maintain CWCW will take time and efforts.  Accordingly, I invite users to purchase my reference texts described below in the reporting format used for all reported sites.  It is also the only advertisement contained on the CWCW site.  Your patronage is essential if I am to maintain CWCW and extend its usefulness to you and other users.

Compiler Press - All
706 Lansdowne Ave., Saskatoon Saskatchewan, Canada, S7N 1E5
Phone: (306) 244-6945
Email: compilerpress@shaw.ca

          http://members.shaw.ca/compilerpress

7. Copyright C.P.U.: Creators, Proprietors & Users
Journal of Arts Management, Law & Society
Volume 30, No. 3, Fall 2000 (pending) 

6. The Compleat Multilateral Copyright and Related Agreements, Conventions, Covenants & Treaties 1998 plus Annual Updates, June 13, 1999

Of the 44 multilateral instruments listed in Multilateral II - Instruments only 2 have complete titling by section and/or subsection and none have indexes.  Compiler Press's 'Compleat Multilateral Copyright' presents all instruments in a standard WORD format with complete titling and indexes for each instrument as well as a 'meta-index' for all 44 instruments.

5. Copyright & The New World Economic Order
     Compiler Press Review #3, July 1999

4. Copyright & Libraries
     Compiler Press Review # 2, August 1998

3. Copyright & Education, 
     Compiler Press Review #1, May 1998

2. The Compleat Canadian Copyright Act, 1921 to 1997 plus Annual Updates
Current, Past & Proposed Provisions of the Act, October 31, 1998

At present the Canadian Copyright Act does not exist in one single piece of legislation but rather in the Revised Statutes of Canada 1985 plus 14 separate sets of amendments including Bill C-32 1997 (as passed).  Compiler Press' "Compleat Canadian Copyright' integrates all these statutory instruments in one place in a standard format including a complete index.  Furthermore, no other reference work offers the complete history of each section of the Act from 1921 to the present, including proposed amendments which were not, or have yet to be, adopted.
1. Intellectual Property in the Global Village
    Government Information in Canada, University of Saskatchewan, Spring 1995.
    http://www.usask.ca/library/gic/v1n4/chartrand/chartrand.html

Comments and suggestions should be addressed to:

Harry Hillman Chartrand
Cultural Economist & Publisher
Compiler Press
compilerpress@shaw.ca