Thank you.
The Copyright Act is perhaps the widest ranging of all our intellectual property laws, impacting most Canadians every day.
But as we look ahead beyond the horizon, users are increasingly able to become creators themselves. New technologies related to the fourth industrial revolution such as artificial intelligence, 3D printing, the Internet of Things, and augmented and virtual reality are also going to interact with copyright. And just as the digital technologies of the 2000s were disruptive to many copyright-based industries, these emerging technologies can also be expected to challenge current legal frameworks and business practices.
If I could just touch on one last thing, it would be that we continue to witness a significant use of copyright in Canada. Some copyright stakeholders have been particularly affected by chronic disruption and are facing market challenges, yet Canadians appear to remain avid consumers of copyrighted content.
A public opinion research survey we recently commissioned found that 80% of Internet users in Canada consumed digital content online over the three-month period ending November 2017. In the same period, Canadians reported spending $5.4 billion on copyrighted content, including digital content, physical purchases, and tickets to live performances and movies. The survey also found that the large majority of digital content consumed was consumed legally. About a quarter of content consumers reported consuming at least one file online illegally, and a small percentage, 5% to be precise, reported consuming content online only from illegal sources. I think this gives us some base for consideration.
Madam Chair, I would like to turn it over to my colleague, Ms. Théberge, who will continue the presentation.