Policy: Copyright Reform

Canadian video game companies are world leaders in innovation and creativity and contribute significantly to the Canadian knowledge economy and the global video game industry.

In today’s market, developing and publishing a bestselling video game requires a massive investment.

Protection of copyright is therefore essential to protect the significant investment in and high degree of financial risk associated with the production of entertainment software.

One of the ways the video game industry protects its copyright is through the use of technological protection measures (TPMs.) TPMs are employed by rights holders to control access to and use of video game software.

TPMs provide greater certainty in a digital marketplace which in turn, facilitate:

• Development of new digital products, services and distribution methods
• Economic investment in the development of new digital products, services and distribution methods
• Increased selection and greater consumer choice
• Increased competition and lower prices for consumers

TPMs also facilitate parental controls, which allow parents to control what games are played by their children and what kinds of content they are exposed to. Further, TPMs allow video game makers to distribute games on a trial or demo basis.