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11:00 am, PT
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As the development and adoption of Generative AI accelerates, the legal and regulatory frameworks governing the technology remain uncertain. Litigation is working its way through the courts. Government continues to consult on safeguards that could help govern AI, while also encouraging investment in and rapid adoption of AI. And models for AI licensing are starting to emerge in some jurisdictions. During this time of uncertainty and change, join Access Copyright to explore how Canadian writers can navigate the current AI landscape. Presented by Kate Edwards, CEO of Access Copyright, Erin Finlay, Legal Counsel for Access Copyright, and hosted by TWUC CEO John Degen, this webinar runs 60 minutes including a Q&A period. TWUC members will have access to a recording of the webinar for 30 days.
Kate Edwards has spent her career in service of the arts and creative industries. She spent more than 15 years with the Association of Canadian Publishers, has served on several industry boards, and in January 2024, was appointed CEO of Access Copyright, representing more than 12,000 Canadian publishers, writers, and visual artists.
Erin Finlay is a partner at Stohn, Hay, Cafazzo, Heim, Finlay LLP in Toronto, practising in the areas of entertainment law, copyright, privacy, artificial intelligence, broadcast regulatory and cultural policy. She provides a wide range of legal services and strategic direction to producers, artists, musicians, authors, publishers, trade associations, copyright collectives and cultural businesses in the development, production, exploitation and protection of film, television, publishing, music and digital media projects. Erin has led the negotiation, drafting, and enforcement of multi-party collective licences, directed complex copyright tariff and CRTC broadcast regulatory and policy proceedings, and has appeared numerous times before the Copyright Board of Canada, the CRTC, the Federal Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court of Canada and Standing Committees of the Federal Government on Canadian Heritage and Industry and Technology, as well as the Senate of Canada. Her expertise spans a range of legal, policy, and government relations experience in the music, film, and television production and publishing industries. Before joining the firm, Erin was the Chief Legal Officer at the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA), where she provided legal advice and strategic direction to the organization and its producer member companies on a variety of matters, General Counsel and Director of Government Relations at Access Copyright, and an associate practising in the entertainment law group at Cassels Brock. With more than 20 years’ experience as both in-house counsel and in private practice, she brings a practical perspective to resolving complex issues and advocating for her clients in Canada’s creative industries. Erin’s passion for the creative sector extends beyond her legal practice. As a singer and musician, she performed on the Grammy- and Juno-nominated Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s recording of Handel’s Messiah. Her multifaceted experience and commitment to the arts and legal communities have solidified her reputation as a leader in Canada’s entertainment and cultural sectors.
John Degen is a novelist and poet. He is executive director of The Writers' Union of Canada and chair of the International Authors Forum.
This event is generously supported by Access Copyright.
