The Role of International Treaties in the Interpretation of Canadian Intellectual Property Statutes

Abstract

The relationship between domestic intellectual property statutes and international law in growing in scope and depth. This paper is a chapter in a book that emphasizes that international law is not only used to interpret domestic law but in fact may itself become a guide for international tribunals, such as the World Trade Organization Dispute-Settlement Body. The Paper considers mostly the role that international norms have played in recent decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada and the Federal Court.

Keywords: Intellectual property, statutes, interpretation, TRIPS, Berne, WCT, Canada

JEL Classification: K33