Source: Billboard Canada

Music Publishers Canada (MPC) filed to intervene in a Federal Court proceeding that concerns the role of generative AI in copyright law, urging that “only a human can be an author for copyright purposes,” even where AI tools assist creation. MPC’s submission asks courts to take a case-by-case, contextual approach focused on the extent of the human author’s contributions of skill and judgment, and requests that protections for works created with AI align with approaches adopted in other jurisdictions. CEO Margaret McGuffin framed the intervention as part of MPC’s advocacy to ensure music publishers’ interests are heard and stated that Canada must approach generative AI in a way that respects creators and incentivizes human expression.

The underlying dispute began in 2024 when the Samuelson-Glushko Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC) challenged a copyright registration for an image created using a generative AI tool; court documents say Ankit Sahni developed a tool that can modify a user-provided image to match a specific artist’s style and that Sahni sought to modify a photograph to match Vincent Van Gogh’s The Starry Night. Three years prior, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office had granted a copyright registration listing Sahni and the AI tool as co-authors. MPC’s request to intervene was approved in June 2026, with the court finding MPC has the necessary knowledge, skills and resources to participate usefully; MPC will be represented by Casey Chisick, Eric Mayzel, Claire Stempien and Steven Henderson of Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP. McGuffin’s advocacy work at the House of Commons and the National Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Culture, and her receipt of an Impact Award at Billboard Canada Power Players 2026, are noted in the coverage.