Appeals Court Rules Consumer Research Qualifies for Fair Dealing

The Federal Court of Appeal has affirmed the conclusion of the Copyright Board of Canada that consumer research qualifiies as "research" for the purposes of fair dealing.  The Court concluded that "song preview" features of music download sites permit consumers to "research" prospective purchases, and so qualify for fair dealing.

• Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada v. Bell Canada, 2010 FCA 123
• Copyright Board Decision