Law Commons^™

Copyright In Legal Documents, David Vaver

Osgoode Hall Law Journal

Original legal documents and forms have long enjoyed copyright protection. After looking at Commonwealth and U.S. decisions, the author discusses the nature, extent, and desirability of protection. An examination of the technicalities of copyright protection reveals a law drafted in broad generalities and ill-suited to respond adequately to the common practices arising from this class and, by implication, other classes of creative work. The author concludes by suggesting practical ways in which legislators, lawyers, and judges can solve some of the copyright problems generated through the use of legal documents.